Pantograph–catenary electrical contact system of high-speed railways: recent progress, challenges, and outlooks

Abstract As the unique power entrance, pantograph–catenary electrical contact system maintains efficiency and reliability of transmission for high-speed train. Along with fast development railways all over world, some commercialized lines are built covering remote places under harsh environment, especially in China; these environmental elements including wind, sand, rain, thunder, ice snow need to be considered during design system. The includes pantograph, wire interface—pantograph slide. key component, this pantograph slide plays a critical role reliable dynamic condition. fundamental material characteristics such as conductivity, impact resistance, wear etc., directly determine sliding performance system; meanwhile, different detection methods crucial service maintenance. In addition, challenges brought from extreme operational conditions discussed, taking Sichuan–Tibet Railway currently construction special example high-altitude climate. outlook developing ultra-high-speed train equipped novel which can address harsher environment is also involved. This paper has provided comprehensive review railway systems, its progress, challenges, outlooks history future.