Wear and Hotspots

By combining three additional integrated measurement methods, the degree of wear on the contact wire can be determined and thermal hotspots can be localized.

The wear of the contact wire causes a change in the magnetic field around the contact wire. This change is measured using magnetic sensors.

As the contact wire wears down, the cross-section of the conductor decreases. If the current flow remains the same, defined by the pick-up from the rail vehicle, the contact wire heats up disproportionately. The surface temperature is measured precisely with the help of a sensor, which also allows thermal hotspots to be localized.

Due to the increasing wear of the wire, the distance between passing pantographs and the integrated distance sensors decreases. Inadmissible contact wire wear can thus also be identified.