Current collector
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A current collector (often called a "pickup") is a device used in trolleybuses, trams, electric locomotives and EMUs to carry electric power (current) from overhead lines, electric third rails, or ground-level power supplies to the electrical equipment of the vehicles. Those for overhead wires are roof-mounted devices, those for rails are mounted on the bogies.
Typically, electric current connectors have one or more spring-loaded arms that press a collector or contact shoe against the rail or overhead wire. As the vehicle moves, the contact shoe slides along the wire or rail to draw the electricity needed to run the vehicle's motor.
The current collector arms are
Pantographs and poles
Electric vehicles that collect their current from an
Most overhead supply systems are either DC or single phase AC, using a single wire with return through the grounded running rails. Three phase AC systems use a pair of overhead wires, and paired trolley poles.
Electric overhead cranes and gantry cranes may use a current collector system to provide power over the full length of their operating area. The current collector assembly use sliding shoes that run on rails. Depending on the size of crane, contact rails may be copper wires, copper bars, or steel channels. mounted on insulating supports. Two rails are used for DC supply, and three for three-phase AC, with grounding of the crane through contact with the runway rails. The contact rails are mounted out of the reach of people working in the area to prevent an electric shock hazard.
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Modern one-arm "pantograph" collector with double collector shoes
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A bow collector on a small electric locomotive
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collector poles.
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A trolley pole on a streetcar of the Toronto streetcar system
Trolley pole wheel
The trolley pole wheel is a grooved contact wheel mounted on top of the trolley pole instead of a trolley shoe. The trolley pole wheel somewhat resembles a pulley. Trolley pole wheels are now rarely used.
Collector pole
A collector pole is the pole at the end of a bumper car. It has a contact shoe on top.
Contact shoe
Electric railways with
Contact ski
A long and narrow contact shoe shaped like a
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Contact shoe on Metro-North M8 railcar, designed for both over- and under-running third rail
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A contact shoe for top-contact third rail on SEPTA's Norristown High Speed Line (third rail not visible)
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Chicago 'L'car
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The contact shoe of a NYC Subway car making contact with the third rail
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Third-rail contact shoe installed on the frontNew York Penn Station
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A rubber-tyred metro bogie. Between the two large tires, a contact shoe touches the guidebar and electrically grounds the car.
See also
- Bumper cars
- Conduit current collection
- Electromote
- Guide bar
- List of railway electrification systems
- Overhead line
- Pantographs and underbody collectors
- Railway electrification systems
References
- Edinburgh Tram Network