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Question Regarding MRT Electrified track

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  • Texcoco II
    Texcoco II's Avatar
    3,015 posts since Oct '05
    • 27 Dec `05, 8:55PM

      Hi all
      I got one question, does the MRT track itself is electrified? Or the Cable beside it. Cos I , kinda curious whether the Caution sigh is warning u the track or the high voltage cable beside it Anyway, unlike those overseas trains with overhead electric cable, how does the MRT train get it electricity from? the track itself?

  • EXCO
    EXCO's Avatar
    586 posts since Oct '01
    • 27 Dec `05, 11:04PM

      The power comes from the white boxy rail that follows the track. You can see it very clearly from the stations, its directly opposite. The rail is called the "Third Rail" and is another system of power supply.

      The NEL is powered by the overhead cables that you mentioned earlier.

  • SGEMP
    SGEMP's Avatar
    812 posts since Oct '05
    • 27 Dec `05, 11:07PM
      Originally posted by Texcoco II:
      Hi all
      I got one question, does the MRT track itself is electrified? Or the Cable beside it. Cos I , kinda curious whether the Caution sigh is warning u the track or the high voltage cable beside it Anyway, unlike those overseas trains with overhead electric cable, how does the MRT train get it electricity from? the track itself?

      Next time, you can post this question on the "question on MRT/LRT" thread.

      As for your question, all MRT tracks in Singapore are electrified (but not the tracks itself!), just that how they are electrified depends on the company running the trains.

      As for SMRT trains, tracks are electrified by means of a special rail conducting electricity, known as "third rail". They are seen as white metals beside the train tracks. And so, SMRT trains are electrified by the metal contacts attached to the bogie known as "shoes", which in turn would have some metal floss brushing against the third rail as the train moves, electrifying the train for virtually everything from lighting to the train's controls.

      And as for SBST trains, if you observe with care you would have noticed that there are overhead cables on top of the train. And that as the train runs gradually while you are in the front/back end of the train looking out to the tracks, you would probably notice some third rails. As like said, SBST trains would take power from the pantograph located on the roof of the 2nd/5th coach (if you are very observant enough), and also from the shoes of the train's bogies.

  • ditzy
    Arrghhh!!!
    ditzy's Avatar
    52,065 posts since Dec '03
  • SBS9889U
    SBS9889U's Avatar
    3,255 posts since May '05
    • 28 Dec `05, 10:03AM
      Originally posted by ditzy:
      Why don't you touch them all and tell us which one hurts. Laughing

      By the time you touch it, i dont think u will be here to tell us if it hurts, seriously.

      Edited by SBS9889U 28 Dec `05, 10:04AM
  • Apex-LW'21
    Apex-LW'21's Avatar
    6,203 posts since Sep '05
  • hiphop2009
    hiphop2009's Avatar
    6,382 posts since Jan '06
    • 16 Feb `06, 12:45AM

      ok, lets say if i accidentally drop into the railway track….in this case will i get electrocuted instantly?

  • The_Bus_Guide
    The_Bus_Guide's Avatar
    1,045 posts since Sep '03
    • 16 Feb `06, 12:18PM

      You won't get electrocuted if you go down to the tracks but you will get hit by the train! You will be fried to a crisp if you touched the underside of the third rail. But you don't have to go to the MRT station to know how it feels like. You can poke your fingers into the electrical socket at home for the same sensation. Laughing Laughing Laughing

      That's a joke. Don't go and try it!

  • Dead_Man_Inc
    Dead_Man_Inc's Avatar
    11,835 posts since Dec '04
    • 23 Feb `06, 2:47AM

      don't have to get into the track and touch..

      use a long metal stick and reach for the track on top can already Laughing

  • ^tamago^
    ^tamago^'s Avatar
    52,673 posts since Sep '03
    • 10 Apr `06, 3:01PM

      for NEL, the overhead cables and third rails are of two different polarities, and hence they complete the circuit.

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