Pantograph-catenary dynamic interaction in the medium-high frequency range

The paper addresses the topics of current collection quality and wear in the pantograph-catenary system, with special emphasis on the effect of high frequency dynamic effects. By means of a suitable mathematical model of pantograph-catenary interaction, it is shown that the percentage of contact losses cannot be easily related to the value of performance indexes typically used by railway administrations, due to the effect of high frequency pantograph catenary interaction. As to the topic of catenary wear, the results of laboratory tests are presented and used to derive a wear model as function of contact force, current flow and pantograph speed. This model is then used for the numerical simulation of wear progress in the line. The results obtained appear to be in good agreement with line measurements, and open the possibility to use mathematical models to optimise line design and pantograph service conditions in order to optimise the wear of the catenary-collector couple.