Impact of Magnetic Field on Arc-Ablation of Pantograph Catenary Surface:An Experimental Simulation Study

The arc ablation of pantograph catenary surfaces,a key component of electrified train,was empirically approximated,mathematically modeled and experimentally simulated with the lab-built test platform,comprising the arc-motion and arc-ablation simulators equipped with high speed charge-coupled device video camera.The influence of the external static magnetic field on the pantograph-catenary arcing and arc-ablation was investigated.The results show that the magnetic field significantly affected the pantograph-catenary arcing and surface ablation.Generally speaking,as the magnetic field strength increased,the speed and ablation trace of arc-spot increased,resulting in the decreases of both the diameter and depth of arc molten pool,simply because of a shorter localized heating-time and a higher heat dissipation-rate of the pantograph catenary surface.We suggest that the experimental simulation be of some technological interest in design optimization and maintenance of pantograph catenary in electrified railway system.