The means of transportation has evolved from time to time according to human needs and technology. The train services are the ever time favorite mode of transportation, though the buses, trucks, cars, airplanes raise a tough competition. They still play a vital role in the transportation industry in the form high speed and passenger services, urban light rail systems, commuter rail, and heavy haul of minerals and freight.

From the earliest coal engines and diesel engines, the electrical trains are ruling the railway industry now. With the scarcity of other energy sources, the railways look deep into the electrification process. And the studies show that the operating costs of the electric trains will be less than that of the diesel services.

The DC versus AC in electrification

The railway electrification process began with the direct current systems. They have the advantages of robustness and simplicity. Also, they have a high starting torque and the controlling of the whole system. But the inside resistance of the control systems reduces the efficiency with a lot of power loss. Most of the high power DC motors drag high current. Consequently, the cross-sectional area of the conductors in use also increases. When transmitting over a large distance, the loss is high in the case of DC. On the other hand, many of the overhead railway electrification systems now use the alternating current. High voltage incorporation is possible in these systems. The AC voltage can be converted into high and low ends according to the requirement and is the greatest advantage.

The important issues to be considered

To transform an existing rail system into an electric system a lot of system requirements are in need. The factors like electric locomotives, substations, the overhead power distribution system and traction return systems have to be incorporated in the prevailing systems. Other important issues to note down are:

• The upgrading of the existing tracks is a must to do the thing. They can do this with the introduction of a new track or realignment of the existing track. For the introduction of new substations, the railways have to find extra land. The OCS poles and emergency walkways also require extra space.
• Just to nullify the effect of leakage current and hence the electrolytic corrosion, the preface of DC footing will help.
• The already existing station canopies may undergo modification to support the electrification structures.
• The whole communication signal system should be isolated from the traction power systems.

The requirements

For the whole electrification process of the railway systems, the best catenaries equipment is in need. The catenaries supply the vehicles with the energy for charging. The catenaries use small wires of copper alloys or tiny rail profiles. Several manufacturing units develop the single wire and mainline sliding for the overhead railway electrification. 

Wrapping up,

In the development of the overhead railway electrification system, a lot of factors play a major role. Many industries are specialists in the manufacturing of smaller and lighter and long-lasting solutions for the same. The customers can make use of these facilities at affordable rates with the prestigious industries.