Introduction to the electric traction system

Peter Dearman, PWI President and Independent Consultant

Lancaster, Barrow & Carlisle Section in-person meeting

Synopsis: Peter Dearman has held senior roles in the railway industry in the field of traction electrification, and was responsible for defining the engineering framework and strategic development of the 2009 UK Network Electrification Programme. As a preamble to his presentation he will explain the strategic goals of his term as PWI President.
Peter’s presentation explains the functioning of the main electrical and mechanical components of overhead (OLE) electrification practice in the UK. The provision of electricity supply includes the process through which power is taken from the national grid and supplied at reduced voltage to the railway via regularly spaced feeder stations, involving the adoption of appropriate earthing and bonding arrangements for OLE masts and other structures and the provision of neutral sections in order to keep geographically distinct feeder sources separate. Mechanical considerations include the erection of masts to support catenary wires, which consist in practice of a succession of ‘tension lengths’ with overlaps and appropriate tensioning arrangements. Variations in practice are employed in order to accommodate turnouts and crossovers.

Meeting in-person from 16:00 for a 16:30 start

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