Hardware in the loop test-rig for pantograph active control evaluation

An actively controlled pantograph can increase the performance of current collection at high speed. In the last few years, it appears possible to transfer the knowledge based on numerical experiments, to the real operating condition. An important step towards this direction is the set up of a laboratory test bench in that allows actuation and control testing, prior to perform on line tests, in order to demonstrate their feasibility. This paper presents an hardware in the loop (HIL) test-rig, which allows to reproduce the dynamical interaction between overhead lines and pantograph in high speed railways. Using this laboratory set-up, experimental investigation on the problems related with pantograph-overhead Line (OHL) interaction can be performed.