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Multipolar overhead contact line

The overhead contact line system for three-phase AC railways

A red and yellow train arrives at a mountain station surrounded by snow-covered peaks and rugged rocky slopes. The platform and station building are visible on the left, with a clear blue sky in the background.

Our multipolar overhead contact line is a special power supply system for use with three-phase AC railways. In contrast to conventional three-phase applications, where each of the three phases is routed through separate conductors, this system uses a two-pole overhead contact line and utilises the running rails as conductors for the third phase. This arrangement calls for accurate planning and execution, especially in the area around turnouts, where the parallel running of two overhead contact lines and pantographs requires complex technical solutions. Thanks to our extensive expertise and many years of experience, we are in a position to master these technical challenges efficiently and ensure high reliability and optimised power supply performance in demanding railway systems.

Despite the rarity of such systems, we attach great importance to the maintenance and support of this technology to ensure optimum performance and longevity. Our multipolar overhead contact line is currently being used in prestigious projects such as the Jungfrau Railway in the Bernese Oberland and the Gornergrat Railway in Valais. The extreme climatic conditions in these regions, including significant temperature fluctuations and the resulting changes in altitude of the contact wire, place special demands on the components. To overcome these specific challenges, we have developed an automatically tensioned version of the multipolar overhead contact line that offers high reliability under variable environmental conditions.

Our specialists will be happy to provide you with information on other examples of our special applications.

To our overhead contact line systems services
  • Eine schneebedeckte Eisenbahnstrecke schlängelt sich durch eine bergige Landschaft. Hohe Strommasten säumen die Gleise und in der Ferne ragen schneebedeckte Gipfel vor einem klaren blauen Himmel auf. Die winterliche Szene ist friedlich und unberührt, mit hellem, natürlichem Licht.
  • A red train is stopped on a mountain railway track surrounded by rugged terrain and towering peaks. Overhead power lines stretch across the sky. A person wearing an orange jacket and yellow helmet works near the train. A signal light stands upright nearby.
  • Eine Nahaufnahme der Metalltakelage und Leinen vor einem klaren Himmel auf einem Segelbootmast. Das Foto fängt die komplizierten Details der Seile und Rollen ein.