Must see train video (electrical explosions)

This isn't ice...the wire broke/ came down i think.
Ice would melt immediately due to the heat and this would stop the firework after a few seconds...but that isnt the case
 
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Hi John

The pantograph was raised to the 'on' position, but however, there was a large build-up of ice covering the pantograph and this was the major factor in causing the high-voltage flashover - thus, the Kv was then forced into trying to find the quickest way to earth as it was blocked from its proper route to the train's switchgear. As the arcing was happening too quickly, heat would not have built up enough to either melt the overhead wires nor the pantograph. Neither the overhead wires nor the pantograph were damaged in any way prior to, or after the final arcing - it was simply a weather related incident that was blocking the KV's usual path to the train's switchgear.

Slightly off-topic, but related to that train sparking away, here's a youtube video clip showing high-voltage arcing...

 
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Oh, so you didn't want the welder to put that new roof mounted bell right next to the pantograph? LOL :hehe:
 
Thank you, Andy for the background information. That explains everything in the video. It looked more impressive than the damage (none) that it caused!

We don't have many electric trains up my way to see this occur. I have to travel to Boston to see any electric action and that's over 55 miles from me.

High voltage is still very scary stuff. Way back when I was an electronics technician, I used to work with CRTs. These devices had high voltage transformers in them that would arc over and burn if the unit got very dirty inside. We used to get systems back from the diamond mines in South Africa and from some of the oil drilling equipment from Saudi Arabia. The dust inside these units was horrendous. Eventually the fly back transformer, which is used to drive the high voltage for the CRT its self, would arc over and burn. The ensuing fire would usually melt everything inside the case and the units were destroyed.

John
 
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