Experimental study on arc ablation occurring in a contact strip rubbing against a contact wire with electrical current

A series of tests on arc discharge were carried out to better understand the wear mechanism of a contact strip rubbing against a contact wire with electrical current. The arc discharge process was recorded with a high-speed camera. The arc voltage drop and electric current were measured throughout the test. The accumulated arc discharge energy was evaluated. Experimental results show that the wear rate of the contact strip is approximately directly proportional to the accumulated arc discharge energy in logarithmic coordinates. Increasing the normal force can suppress arc discharge and decrease wear of the contact strip.

► Arc ablation is an overwhelming mechanism for severe wear of contact strips.
► Wear rate of contact strip is proportional to the accumulated arc energy.
► Arc discharge leads to distortion of the electric current waveforms.
► Increasing normal force can decrease arc discharge and wear of contact strips.