Discussions on the generation mechanism of spark phenomenon when locomotive running through an electricity neutral section

A series of spark discharge phenomenon would be observed when an electric locomotive (or EMUs) running through an electricity neutral section, along with significant electromagnetic noise emissions. Such disturbance emissions may affect the train´s control system and/or communications system to produce electromagnetic interference. In this paper, different discharging circuits´ models between the pantograph and contact wire were proposed according to several steps of train-operation. These models are based on the analysis of the distributed circuit parameters and can be used to explain the generation mechanism of the above spark phenomenon. Some corresponding measurement results of such electromagnetic noise were also presented.