This is a list of the power supply systems that are, or have been, used for tramway and
railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electric power to railway trains and trams without an on-board prime mover or local fuel supply.
Electric railways use either electric locomotives (hauling passengers or freight in separate cars), ...
s.
Note that the voltages are nominal and vary depending on load and distance from the substation.
Many modern trams and trains use on-board solid-state electronics to convert these supplies to run
three-phase
Three-phase electric power (abbreviated 3φ) is a common type of alternating current used in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. It is a type of polyphase system employing three wires (or four including an optional neutral r ...
AC induction motors.
Tram electrification systems are listed
here.
Key to the tables below
* Volts:
voltage
Voltage, also known as electric pressure, electric tension, or (electric) potential difference, is the difference in electric potential between two points. In a static electric field, it corresponds to the work needed per unit of charge t ...
or
volt
The volt (symbol: V) is the unit of electric potential, electric potential difference ( voltage), and electromotive force in the International System of Units (SI). It is named after the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta (1745–1827).
D ...
* Current:
** DC =
direct current
Direct current (DC) is one-directional flow of electric charge. An electrochemical cell is a prime example of DC power. Direct current may flow through a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through semiconductors, insulators, or eve ...
** # Hz =
frequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time. It is also occasionally referred to as ''temporal frequency'' for clarity, and is distinct from '' angular frequency''. Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz) which is ...
in
hertz
The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that one her ...
(
alternating current
Alternating current (AC) is an electric current which periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time in contrast to direct current (DC) which flows only in one direction. Alternating current is the form in which ...
(AC))
*** AC supplies are usually
single-phase
In electrical engineering, single-phase electric power (abbreviated 1φ) is the distribution of alternating current electric power using a system in which all the voltages of the supply vary in unison. Single-phase distribution is used when loa ...
(1Ø) except where marked
three-phase
Three-phase electric power (abbreviated 3φ) is a common type of alternating current used in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. It is a type of polyphase system employing three wires (or four including an optional neutral r ...
(3Ø).
* Conductors:
**
overhead line
An overhead line or overhead wire is an electrical cable that is used to transmit electrical energy to electric locomotives, trolleybuses or trams. It is known variously as:
* Overhead catenary
* Overhead contact system (OCS)
* Overhead equipm ...
or
** conductor rail, usually a
third rail
A third rail, also known as a live rail, electric rail or conductor rail, is a method of providing electric power to a railway locomotive or train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway ...
to one side of the running rails. Conductor rail can be:
*** top contact: oldest, least safe, most affected by ice, snow, rain and leaves. Protection boards are being installed on most top contact systems, which increases safety and reduces these affections.
*** side contact: newer, safer, less affected by ice, snow, rain and leaves
*** bottom contact: newest, safest, least affected by ice, snow, rain and leaves
Systems using standard voltages
Voltages are defined by two standards: BS EN 50163 and IEC 60850.
Overhead systems
600 V DC
750 V DC
1200 V DC
1500 V DC
3 kV DC
AC, Hz /
AC,
AC,
Conductor rail systems
600 V DC conductor
All systems are
third rail
A third rail, also known as a live rail, electric rail or conductor rail, is a method of providing electric power to a railway locomotive or train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway ...
unless stated otherwise. Used by some older metros.
750 V DC conductor
Conductor rail systems have been separated into tables based on whether they are top, side or bottom contact. Used by most metros outside Asia and the former Eastern bloc.
=Bottom contact
=
= Side contact
=
= Top contact
=
= Mixed
=
1200 V DC conductor
All systems are third rail and side contact unless stated otherwise.
1500 V DC conductor
All systems are third rail unless stated otherwise.
Systems using non-standard voltages
Overhead systems
DC voltage
AC voltage
Three-phase AC voltage
= Two wires
=
= Three wires
=
Conductor rail systems (DC voltage)
Conductor rail systems have been separated into tables based on whether they are top, side or bottom contact.
Top contact systems
Side contact systems
All third rail unless otherwise stated.
Bottom contact systems
All third rail unless otherwise stated.
Conductor rail systems (AC voltage)
Special or unusual types
DC, plough collection from conductors in conduit below track
*
London County Council Tramways, later operated by
London Transport
*
streetcars in New York City (Manhattan), New York
*
Washington, D.C. streetcars
*
Panama Canal locks' ship handlers (called ''mules'')
DC, one ground-level conductor
*Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways, England (stud contact) (1902–1921)
*
Bordeaux Tramway, France (
conductor rail)
* Sydney Light Rail (tramway)
DC, two-wire
*
Greenwich
Greenwich ( , ,) is a town in south-east London, England, within the ceremonial county of Greater London. It is situated east-southeast of Charing Cross.
Greenwich is notable for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwic ...
, England. Previously used by trams when in the vicinity of
Greenwich Observatory; separate from trolleybus supply.
*
Cincinnati
Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state lin ...
,
Ohio
Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...
, US. Tram (streetcar) system used this arrangement throughout, probably due to legal constraints on ground return currents.
*
Havana
Havana (; Spanish: ''La Habana'' ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center. and
Guanabacoa, Cuba. Tram (streetcar) systems in both cities used this arrangement.
*
Lisbon, Portugal.
Elevador da Bica
The Bica Funicular ( pt, Ascensor da Bica), sometimes known as the ''Elevador da Bica'' (''Bica Lift''), is a funicular railway line in the civil parish of Misericórdia, in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal. It connects the ''Rua de São Paul ...
,
Elevador da Glória and Elevador da Lavra.
DC, power from running rails
*
Gross-Lichterfelde Tramway (1881–1893), 180 V
*
Ungerer Tramway (1886–1895)
* transportable railways as a ride for children
DC, four-rail
See also
*
Third rail
A third rail, also known as a live rail, electric rail or conductor rail, is a method of providing electric power to a railway locomotive or train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway ...
*
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electric power to railway trains and trams without an on-board prime mover or local fuel supply.
Electric railways use either electric locomotives (hauling passengers or freight in separate cars), ...
*
Railroad electrification in the United States
*
Ground level power supply
*
Conduit current collection
*
Current collector
*
Amtrak's 25 Hz traction power system
*
List of tram systems by gauge and electrification
*
Traction current pylon
Footnotes
References
*
*
*
*
*
*
External links
Electrification systems, track gauges and electrified track lengths in selected countries(in German)
Map of European voltage systems England—details of 3rd rail electrification
{{DEFAULTSORT:List of railway electrification systems
Electric rail traction
Rail
Electric rail transport