What kind of electricity is used in high-speed rail?

At present, for everyone, high-speed rail is undoubtedly one of the most convenient and fast ways of traveling.

According to relevant data, a high-speed train running at 350 kilometers per hour consumes 9,600 kilowatt-hours of electricity per hour, while one running at 250 kilometers per hour consumes 4,800 kilowatt-hours. A high-speed train traveling at 250 kilometers per hour from Beijing to Nanjing takes 4 hours and consumes nearly 20,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity! It can power an air conditioner that consumes as little as one kilowatt-hour of electricity per night for 55 years.

High-speed trains not only run faster than ordinary trains, but also have a charging socket in front of each row of seats. So the question arises: Where does the electricity for high-speed rail come from? What should I do if there is a power outage on a high-speed train?

Where does the electricity for high-speed railways come from?

First of all, so much electricity still comes from our large power grid. Whether it's for high-speed rail power supply or for ordinary residents, electricity is provided by the public power grid. High-speed rail is a special type of customer for power supply companies. The power supply for ordinary residents is transmitted and distributed by the power supply company.

For high-speed railways, after the power plant generates electricity, it is sent to the traction substation through transmission lines (this is a railway asset, operated by the relevant railway departments), and then the electricity is supplied to the railway through the catenary.

The traction power supply system of an EMU generally includes: traction substation (station), catenary, and return circuit.

What's different about the electricity used in high-speed rail?

If there is any difference, it is first reflected in the voltage. The voltage used by high-speed railways cannot be found in the power supply sequence of the power grid. Secondly, the alternating current in the power grid is three-phase, while the electricity for high-speed rail is single-phase!

In China's electrified railways, the single-phase alternating current of 25 (27.5) kilovolts at industrial frequency (50 Hertz) is precisely used. This single-phase, 25 (27.5) kilovolt alternating current is converted from the electricity transmitted from the power grid by traction substations.

③ Is there continuous power supply during the operation of high-speed trains?

During the operation of high-speed trains, bullet trains and the like, they are not always connected to the power grid. They often pass through a section without electricity (between the traction substation and the power supply arm, called "electrical phase separation"), which is about 100 meters long. When passing through this section, the train has no electricity and usually slides through this section by inertia. Since this section is very short, there is basically no feeling when taking the train.

What should I do if the high-speed train runs out of power?

Each EMU is also equipped with its own battery, which provides power for the pantograph operation when the train starts and can also serve as an emergency backup power source for safety and auxiliary electrical systems in case of power failure on high-speed trains.

In recent years, there have been some power outages caused by external factors such as weather that led to catenary failures. So if the high-speed train is out of power, what should we ordinary passengers do?

First of all, you must stay calm. When the vehicle stops due to a power outage, most of the systems inside cannot operate. The Windows of domestic high-speed trains and bullet trains are all designed to be airtight. The doors will not be opened unless it is absolutely necessary. Secondly, drink drinking water reasonably. In a hot and muggy environment, people excrete heat through sweat. When water intake is insufficient, dehydration may occur. Finally, adjust your mindset, maintain order, deal with the sudden difficulties calmly and wait for the power supply to be restored.