How do trains work? Especially, how does the electricity flow between the power lines and the train, for example, while changing tracks?
In: Technology
Trains run on DC, meaning that the one electrical terminal will always be positive and the other will always be ground. For trains, the positive terminal is the overhead cabling. The rails it drives on is the ground terminal.
So when a train extends its boom and contacts the overhead cables, the electric circuit is closed.
The rails are literally electrified. However, it’s safe as the are kept at the same potential as the ground you walk on.
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