Guide rail

copperfor subways

Contact wire and Stranded conductors made of copper Cu-ETP and copper alloys for overhead contact line systems with highest reliability and availability. Contact wire made of CuAg, CuSn or CuMg offer superior properties by combining high tensile strength, high conductivity, increased thermal and wear resistance, exceeding the requirements set out in EN 50149. Stranded conductors made of Cu-ETP, CuAg, CuSn or CuMg with improved mechanical and electrical properties to support infrastructure projects on the global scale. 1. WHY ARE OVERHEAD CONTACT LINE SYSTEMS NECESSARY? Efficient overhead contact line systems are the base for electrically powered rail traffic, which is more sustainable than Diesel powered rail traffic. Renewable energy sources can substitute fossil fuels in any power grid of railway operators. Therefore, the ecological footprint of electric traction is considerably lower than that of Diesel traction. 2. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS ON THE CONDUCTORS? The conductors must carry the electric load as well as mechanical load. High life time of these components is essential for overhead contact lines with a design life of 50 to 100 years. 3. THERE ARE PURE COPPER PRODUCTS AND ALLOYED PRODUCTS. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES? Whilst conductors made of pure copper feature best electrical properties, the mechanical and thermal characteristics of pure copper are suboptimal. A pure copper wire can only be operated at a lower continuous temperature than a low alloyed copper wire. Copper can only be tensioned with lower forces than an alloyed wire.