A Three-Dimensional Calculation for Dynamic Pantograph-Catenary Interaction

Dynamic pantograph-catenary interaction is one of the most critical aspects to consider in catenary design, especially in high-speed rails. It is essential to maintain a constant power transmission in order to achieve high speeds and avoid the production of electric arcs, which damage the wires. This paper shows a tool, called InDiCa 3D, based on a three-dimensional model to solve the dynamic pantograph-catenary interaction in a efficient way, which allows the calculation of the effect of wind on the catenary, which is not possible in a two-dimension model, making the process of catenary design more accurate.