Abstract
A data acquisition and processing system for measuring the current collection signals of the Korean High-speed Railway is developed. The current collection system is composed of a pantograph and the overhead catenary that supplies electrical power to the train through the pantograph. The system simultaneously measures the signals generated at the interface between the catenary and the pantograph through the accelerometers, load cells and strain gauges placed at various locations. The on-track test data are processed to evaluate the current collection reliability. The fiequency analysis of the signals reveals the presence of several structural vibration modes in the pantograph, as well as the components arising from the periodicity in the structure of the catenary and pantograph at the interface. The feasibility of predicting the contact performance from the measured signals is also demonstrated.