Overhead lines

This page is about the transmission of electrical power to public transport vehicles. For transmission of bulk electrical power to general consumers, see Electric power transmission. For powerlines mounted on pylons, see overhead power line.

The overhead lines of a Swiss Federal Railways track.

Two overhead conductor rails for the same track. Left: 1200 V DC for the Uetliberg railway (note that the pantograph has to be mounted asymmetrically to collect current from this rail). Right: 15,000 V AC for the Sihltal railway

Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point.

Related pages

• Bow collector
• Pantograph
• Trolley pole
• Frank J. Sprague
• Lineman
• List of current systems for electric rail traction