Arc quenching switch for overhead conductor rail - has contacts operated electromagnetically by arc current and held closed by time delay

摘要

The adjacent sections of the overhead conductor rail are separated by an insulator which is bridged by a profiled bridge section. As the pantograph wiper passes the insulated point the arc current operates an electro-magnetic switch in the upper insularot, to short the two track sections together and quench the arc. The bottom insular has two sets of contacts separated by an insulating layer. This acts as a capacitor, with the arc striking one plate. The electromagnetic switch operates as soon as the arc strikeS. A mechanical time delay holds th switch in contact for a set time period to allow the train to pass the point.