Ground-level power supply for trams

Most trams you’ll encounter today run on electricity using an overhead contact system, or OCS for short. This usually includes one wire, called the contact wire, powered by feeder stations providing DC voltage, which is “collected” by a pantograph connected to the roof of a tram. This provides power to the tram while it’s moving or standing still. A GVB 15G tram (CAF Urbos 100) at Amsterdam Zuid. Development of the overhead contact system first began towards the end of the 19th century as operators switched from horse-power (literally) or steam to electricity. OCS eventually made its way into mainline rail systems, thus transporting passengers and freight longer distances. If this topic is something you’re interested in reading more about, I’d recommend Garry Keenor’s book, Overhead Line Electrification for Railways. Most tram electric systems today use 750V DC to power their equipment, although you may also encounter some 600V DC-powered trams among other odd voltages. This is enough…