Power Supply for Main Line Railway Contact Systems

The general system problem encountered in the supply of power for electric traction is dealt with through a study of the performance of the principal available systems. The paper is confined to the electrical characteristics and consequent capacity and spacing requirements. The first part describes the performance of systems in electrical terms and requires no assumptions as to the magnitude of train loads. Index figures are developed for specifying concisely the characteristics considered, and curves are given for determining substation loads and catenary rms current and regulation. The second part provides a perspective of power system requirements with various systems through a general study of distribution and transmission based on a number of assumed train loads. Fleets of trains of equal size and uniform spacings are made the basis for the generalized solution of the distribution and transmission problems as well as for the study based on specific load conditions. The essential electrical dimensions of most of the heavy traction electrifications of the world are tabulated.