A pantograph (or pan or panto) is an apparatus mounted on the roof of an electric train, tram or electric bus to collect power through contact with an overhead line. The term stems from the resemblance of some styles to the mechanical pantographs used for copying handwriting and drawings.

Modern trams (or streetcars) typically pick up electrical power through a roof-mounted device called a pantograph, which is a spring-loaded metal framework that maintains constant contact with an overhead wire (catenary). The pantograph draws high-voltage Direct Current (DC), usually between 600V and 750V, from the wire. The electricity then flows through the tram's motors to provide propulsion and returns through the wheels to the steel rails, which act as the "ground" or earth return for the circuit. Some older heritage systems still use a "trolley pole," a single rod with a wheel or shoe that rolls along the wire. In 2026, many cities are also adopting "Aesthetic" ground-level power systems (like Alstom's APS) where the power is drawn from a third rail embedded in the ground that only becomes "live" when the tram is directly over it, eliminating the need for unsightly overhead wires in historic districts. Additionally, "Hybrid" trams in 2026 often feature on-board batteries or supercapacitors that allow them to "hop" between powered sections, charging while they move and running "wire-free" through city centers or parks to maintain the visual integrity of the urban landscape.