Electric traction is the most favourable type of power supply for electric railways from both ecological and economic perspectives. Its reliability largely depends on contact lines, which must operate in all climatic conditions with as little maintenance as possible. Extreme demands arise when overhead contact lines are required to provide reliable and safe power transmission to electric traction vehicles travelling at speeds in excess of 250 km/h. The authors have used their world-wide experience to provide comprehensive descriptions of configuration, mechanical and electrical design, installation, operation and maintenance of contact lines for electric railways on local and long-distance transportation systems, including high-speed lines. In this book, railway company professionals and manufacturers of contact line systems, students and those embarking on a career in this field will find practical guidance in the planning and implementation of systems, product descriptions, specifications and the technical data, including standards and other regulations. Since large sections of the book are dedicated to the system aspects, consultant engineers can also use it as a basis for designing systems and interfaces to other subsystems of electric railway engineering. The contents of the book are rounded off by examples of running systems from different countries.

Dr.-Ing. Friedrich Kießling: Former Scientific Advisor and Head of Rail Electrification Engineering Department at Siemens AG, Transportation Systems. About 50 years of professional experience, convenor and member of CENELEC and IEC standardisation bodies, convenor of TSI working group for the Energy subsystem. Author of numerous publications on traction power supply systems. Dipl.Ing. Rainer Puschmann: Chief Expert at Expert Consultancy, former Head of Design, After Sales Services and Engineering Segments at Siemens AG, Transportation Systems, and SPL Powerlines Group. Certified expert for design reviews and acceptances at Railway Federal Authority and Railway CERT. Author of many publications on overhead contact lines and traction power supply systems. Dr.Ing. Axel Schmieder: Siemens AG, Mobility Division, Rail Electrification Segment, Principal Key Expert and Independent Auditor for contact lines, former activities at Deutsche Reichsbahn and Deutsche Bahn for Railway Electrification. About 40 years experience in this field. Convenor and member of IEC, CENELEC and DKE standardisation groups. Author of many books and articles on rail electrification. Dr.Ing. Egid Schneider: Former Senior Engineer at Siemens, Transportation Systems, and experienced in design and development of traction power supplies for 25 years. Convenor and member of several CENELEC and IEC standardization groups. Author of numerous publications on traction power supply systems.