Research on characteristics of the pantograph arc under the action of magnetic field

With the increase of high-speed railway speed and traction power, bouncing separation between pantograph and catenary, and arcs are frequent. The high temperature and high energy of the pantograph arc has become a key factor threatening the safety of the system. In this paper, a combination of experiment and simulation was used to establish a pantograph arc ablation model, and the pantograph arc behavior was regulated by means of an external magnetic field. The study found that the arc produces directional movement under the action of the Lorentz force of the magnetic field, and disperses the energy, which can effectively reduce the ablation of the catenary wire. At the same time, as the strength of the magnetic field increased, the arc motion behavior accelerated, and the degree of electrode erosion was further dispersed. Finally, from the perspective of arc root transfer, the reason for arc energy dispersion was explained. The results of the study provide a reference basis for preventing catenary wire disconnection.