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How many volts does a train need?

Most overhead railway cables carry a voltage of 25,000 volts (25kV) in order to power electric trains. This is roughly 100 times more powerful than the electricity used in your home.



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With most trunk line freight and long-distance passenger trains operated using high power electric locomotives, typically in excess of 7,200 kilowatts (9,700 hp) of power output.

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Electric trains generally draw power from AC overhead lines. Some DC lines do exist, but they are getting replaced by AC lines. Motors used (traction motors) are generally DC motors.

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Historically, the 110 V battery located in the main locomotive was the source of dc power for most electrical rail applications. This meant providing light to the carriages required running cables along the full train length.

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Railway electrification in Great Britain began in the late 19th century. A range of voltages has been used, employing both overhead lines and conductor rails. The two most common systems are 25 kV AC using overhead lines, and the 750 V DC third rail system used in Southeast England and on Merseyrail.

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The motors run from start to around 850 volts /500 amps and even more each and the locomotives can reach 120 to over 200KPH .

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Railway electrification in Great Britain began in the late 19th century. A range of voltages has been used, employing both overhead lines and conductor rails. The two most common systems are 25 kV AC using overhead lines, and the 750 V DC third rail system used in Southeast England and on Merseyrail.

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The trains have the ability to switch between battery power, electricity and diesel. They can travel roughly ten miles relying only on batteries, which recharge on their own as the train rolls down the tracks.

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Europe's first trains to use batteries as a main source of power have arrived. Hitachi Rail announced last week that 20 tribrid trains—nicknamed “Blues”—are now running on rail lines across Italy.

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