Difference Between Pantograph and Third Rail System, Applications
Hello Guys, welcome back to my blog. In this article, I will discuss what is pantograph, what is the third rail system, its applications, and a comparison between the pantograph and the third rail system.
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Pantograph and Third Rail System
Guys we all know that nowadays electric locomotive requires a continuous supply of electricity for running purposes, so to supply electricity to the locomotive or train, pantograph or third rail systems are used in many locomotives.
First, I will tell you definitions of the pantograph and the third rail system.
Pantograph Current Collector
A pantograph current collector is a device placed at the roof of the train or locomotive to collect the current from an overhead line by lifting the pantograph.
Third Rail System
The third rail system is a method of giving supply to the locomotive by near the tracks, in the third rail system another rail is placed beside the running rail, another rail is called the third rail, which carries current to give supply to the locomotive.
Applications of Pantograph Current Collector
01. Where fuel shortage is there, this system can be used.
02. Where the land or ground level is equal, this system can be used.
03. This system can not be used on hills and mountains because of the unequal ground level.
04. If the government wants to avoid pollution from trains, the electric locomotive will be used, at that time this system can be used.
Applications of Third Rail System
01. Most of the third rail systems are used in metro stations
02. Where overhead lines cannot be erected like in the underground, the third rail system can be used.
03. To reduce the initial cost ( as overhead lines with pantograph erection will cost more).
Working Of Pantograph Current Collector
01. We all know that the pantograph is placed at the roof of the train to collect current from the overhead line.
02. Pantograph consist of many parts as shown in the above figure, When the train is under stationary condition ( not running ) the pantograph is not lifted up to collect current from overhead lines when the train gets ready to run immediately pantograph is lifted up by compressor, compressor gets supply from the battery which is in the train. The battery gets charged again once the train starts running. The pantograph is lifted up and the carbon strip will come in contact with wire to collect the current, in this way pantograph provides electricity to the train.
03. Let’s discuss overhead lines, Overhead lines consist of rail poles to support conductors, messenger wire to support contact wire as shown below figure, insulators, weights, and contact wire which carries 50Hz, 25KV alternating current.
04. Supply to the overhead lines is given from nearby substations.
Working Of Third Rail System
01. In the pantograph system, the locomotive gets supply from the roof whereas in the third rail system it gets supply from below near the track.
02. In the third rail system, one more rail is placed beside the running rail called the third rail as shown in the below figure, in some cases rail is placed at the center of two tracks that are called the fourth rail.
03. The third rail system consists of the conductor which carries a dc supply of 750 volts, this supply is collected by a copper strip that will make continuous contact with the third rail and collect current to supply for the locomotive.
04. Below the third rail, insulators are placed to insulate the conductor from the ground. Insulators are placed every 10 feet distance.
05. The distance between the third rail and the nearest running rail is 40.6 cm.
Now I will discuss the difference between the third rail and the pantograph.
Difference Between Pantograph and Third Rail System
Third Rail System
- Carries a dc supply of 750 volts.
- More dangerous for human beings as it is installed near tracks.
- More security is required ( go and visit the metro station).
- The initial cost will be less.
- The maintenance cost is more.
Pantograph Current Collector
- Carries ac supply of 50Hz, 25KV.
- Less dangerous than a third rail system.
- No security is required as the conductors are above the ground level.
- The initial cost is more.
- Disturbance for other lines like telephone cables, low tension lines, etc.
I hope this article may help you all a lot. Thank you for reading. If you have any doubts related to this article, then comment below in the comment box.
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