A Study on the Measuring System of Contact Force of Pantograph for the High-Speed Train

The overhead pantograph for the high speed train is a mechanical and electrical part mounted on the train roof to supply the train with electrical power from the catenary system. So, the interaction between the pantograph and the catenary system is very important to prevent contact loss and overload to the contact wire. The contact force generally includes the static force by pneumatic pressure supplied from the compressor and the aerodynamic force on the pantograph structure by increasing speed. The on-line test for evaluation of pantograph performance was executed on the Kyoung-Bu high speed line by measuring the contact force between the contact strip of the pantograph and the contact wire of the catenary system. This paper introduces the methodology of measuring system and the procedure of analysis for the final evaluation results, and shows that it was useful and acceptable considering the environmental conditions of the on-line test with the commercial line, not test track.