List of current systems for electric rail traction
The list of railway power systems provides an overview of the traction power systems used around the world, both current and historical. The tables in each case indicate the rated voltages. Actually present at a certain position of the railway line voltage may vary within predetermined tolerance ranges of the rated voltage. Deviations arise, for example, the distance from the substation or by the network load passing trains.
Traction power systems in Europe July 2007
- 750 V =
- 1.5 kV =
- 3 kV =
- 15 kV ~
- 25 kV ~
- Not electrified
- Mainstream systems of a country are shown in bold
- Former power systems are shown in italics (which may mean that the web with a different power system is still in operation)
- 2.1 voltage to 10,000 volts
- 2.2 Power 10000-19999 volts
- 2.3 Voltage 20,000 volts or more
- 4.1 DC, two busbars
- 4.2 Power lead through rails
Direct current
Voltage up to 1,000 V
Main areas of distribution: Europe
Main areas of distribution: Europe
Main distribution areas
Main areas of distribution: Europe
Voltage 1000-1999 Volts
Distribution areas: Netherlands, South of France
Voltage from 2000 volts
Main distribution areas: Belgium, Italy, CIS countries
- Liege limit B / D ( Aachen South border) - Aachen Hauptbahnhof
- (Antwerp - ) boundary B / NL - Roosendaal (8.3 km, since 1957 )
- (Liège - ) boundary B / NL - Maastricht - Randwyck (9.0 km, since 1985 )
- Pitch - road - border east - SLO - Šentilj
Single-phase
Voltage up to 10,000 volts
- 5,500 volts at 15 Hz then later migration to 5,000 volts and increasing the frequency to 16 ⅔ Hz
- 5,000 volts at 16 Hz and later increase to 16 ⅔ Hz
- 5,500 volts at 16 Hz
- 5,500 volts at 16 ⅔ Hz
Voltage 10000-19999 volts
Main distribution areas: Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (1912-1995), as well as Norway and Sweden
- (Les Verrières - ) limit CH -F - Frasnian ( 11.28 km since 1956)
- (Saarbrücken - ) limit DF - Sarreguemines (1.04 km, since 1983)
- ( Bellinzona - ) limit CH- I - Luino (14,9 km, since 1960)
- (Brig - ) limit CH- I - Domodossola car loading (25,3 km, since 1930)
- (Innsbruck - ) boundary east of I - Burner (550 meters, since 1934 )
- ( Lienz - ) boundary east of I - Innichen ( since 1989)
- (Villach - ) boundary east of I - Tarvisio (since 1953)
- ( Kaldenkirchen - ) limit D -NL - Venlo
- ( Jelenia Góra Kořenov ( Hirschberg ) - ) Poland - Czech Republic border - Kořenov ( Polaun / Grünthal ) ( 5.854 km, 1923-1945 )
- Wałbrzych - Szczawienko (low Salzbrunn ) - Poland - Czech Republic border - Meziměstí ( Halbstadt ) (1.93 km, 1914-1945 )
- ( Flensburg - ) limit D -DK - Padborg
- (Les Verrières - ) limit CH -F - Frasnian ( 11.28 km since 1956)
- (Saarbrücken - ) limit DF - Sarreguemines (1.04 km, since 1983)
- ( Bellinzona - ) limit CH- I - Luino (14,9 km, since 1960)
- (Brig - ) limit CH- I - Domodossola car loading (25,3 km, since 1930)
- (Innsbruck - ) boundary east of I - Burner (550 meters, since 1934 )
- ( Lienz - ) boundary east of I - Innichen ( since 1989)
- (Villach - ) boundary east of I - Tarvisio (since 1953)
- ( Kaldenkirchen - ) limit D -NL - Venlo
- ( Rosenbach - ) boundary east - SLO - Jesenice
- ( Retz - ) boundary east - CZ - Znojmo
Voltage of 20,000 volts or more
Main distribution areas: West -South - Eastern Europe, Gus countries, India, Japan, Australia
Three-phase
For two-pole overhead line with rail as the third conductor.
Other special types
DC, two busbars
- London Underground: a busbar with 420 V in addition to runways, the second with -210 V between the running rails
- 750 V DC, Metropolitana di Milano ( line M1; lines M2 and M3 continue with catenary and 1500 V DC )
Power supply via the running rails
- Ungerer Railway (1886-1895)
- Transportable children railways at folk festivals ( The power supply is depending on the system with 12 or 24 volts DC or 38 volts AC, mostly above the rails. Children railways should now be the only personenbefördernden webs which are supplied with power via the running rails ).