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Pantograph arcing in ac traction system generates transients, and causes asymmetries and distortion in supply voltage and current waveforms. These asymmetric voltage and current lead to a net dc component and harmonics that propagate within the traction power and signalling system and cause electromagnetic interference. This problem is enhanced during winter because of the layer of ice/snow on the overhead contact wire. The sliding contact becomes poor and a visible arc moves along with the pantograph. In this paper, it is shown how different parameters like traction current, line speed, power factor, and supply voltage influence the arcing, its characteristics, and the dc components. It is shown that the dc current component increases with increasing train speed and traction current, and reduces at a lower power factor. It is also discussed how the presence of an ice layer influences the arcing and the dc components. It is found that running the trains below the normal operating power factors is an effective choice to mitigate this problem. The findings presented in this paper could be beneficial to estimate the probable limit of the dc component at the planning stage so that proper precautions can be taken at the design stage itself.

Pantograph arcing is a common phenomenon in electrified railway systems. This is also a source of broadband-conducted and radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI) for vehicle as well as traction power and signaling systems. In this paper and the companion paper, experimental analyses of pantograph arcing phenomena are presented for dc and ac feeding systems, respectively. Influences of different parameters on dc traction system, such as supply-voltage polarity, relative motion between pantograph and overhead contact wire, namely, forward motion along the track (longitudinal), and lateral sliding motion of the pantograph (zigzag) are presented here. From the voltage and current waveforms of the test runs, it is shown that pantograph arcing is a polarity-dependent phenomenon. For the positive-fed overhead traction system, where pantograph is cathode, the supply interruptions due to zigzag motion are comparatively less compared to negatively fed traction systems. As a result, the transients, due to pantograph arcing, are more frequent in negatively fed traction systems. It is found that the arc root movement along the electrode surfaces (pantograph-contact wire) is governed by the relative motion and polarity of the electrodes. The analyses presented in this paper also form a foundation to understand the pantograph arcing process and the corresponding influential parameters with the ac supply presented in the companion paper. The findings presented in this paper could be beneficial for coming up with appropriate mitigation techniques from the EMI due to pantograph arcing in dc-fed traction systems.