Anti-Fusing Measures for Urban Rail Transit Trains Stopping within the Catenary Insulated Overlap Section

[Objective] The contact wire fusing failures frequently occur when pantographs of urban rail transit trains stop within the insulated overlap section of the catenary system. To prevent such failures and improve the safe service performance of the catenary system, it is necessary to conduct research on anti-fusing measures for trains stopping within insulated overlap sections. [Method] The causes of contact wire fusing when train pantographs stop within insulated overlap sections are analyzed, and improvement measures are proposed. By investigating current management measures for insulated overlap sections in China, a comprehensive technical and economic comparative analysis is conducted on various solutions, including setting no-stop signs at insulated overlap sections, using load switch cabinets, employing sectional insulators, adopting insulated overlap sections with neutral dead zones, and implementing anti-fusing device systems. The optimal solution that can avoid such failures while minimizing the impact on the energy efficiency of train operation is proposed. [Result & Conclusion] The sectional insulator solution demonstrates good feasibility in implementation. When combined with no-stop signs, it can effectively reduce the risk of wire breakage. It is recommended that sectional insulators be adopted for newly constructed lines. The anti-fusing device system does not require adjusting the existing sectional structure of the catenary system and only involves adding the trackside equipment, featuring minimal impact on the renovation of existing lines. Therefore, it is recommended that the anti-fusing device system be adopted for existing lines.