Study on the Modeling and Suppression of Arcing Generated by Articulated Split-Zone Insulator in Electrified Railways

In electrified railways, pantograph–catenary (PC) arc frequently occurs in the process of train passing through split-zone insulator, which threatens the current collection of PC and operation of electric multiple units (EMUs). So far, there have been a few studies on the analysis and modeling of the PC arc on split-zone insulator. It is noting that this research is different from that of split-phase region. This article first analyzes the dynamic variation process of PC distance as EMUs pass the insulator and deduces the formula, which can reflect the PC arc length variation according to the specific mechanical structure of insulator. Then, a black-box arc model of split-zone insulator is proposed. Next, a vehicle-to-grid model of the EMUs that contains the arc model of split-zone insulator is established to simulate and analyze the characteristics of the PC arc on split-zone insulator. Furthermore, the proposed arc model in this article is verified by comparing the simulated arc characteristic waveforms with the measured results. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the arc model under different lifting angles of the contact wire is carried out in order to analyze the suppression of PC arc on split-zone insulator.