CAMTECH/E/11-12/Panto AM-12/1.

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CHAPTER 4

PANTO ENTANGLEMENT
when any part of panto comes IN BETWEEN contact wire or vice-versa Panto Entanglement takes place

For smooth operation of locomotive, the movement of pantograph should be

unobstructed on the contact wire. Entanglement of pantograph with OHE normally takes
place due to mechanical problems either in the OHE or with the pantograph. Entanglement
can also take place during an accident or rough weather such as storm etc.
Pantograph entanglement causes damages to the pantograph and overhead
equipment resulting in dislocation of electric traction traffic.

4.1 REASONS OF ENTANGLEMENT

Pantograph entanglement generally occurs due to the following reasons:
o OHE defects
o Pantograph defects
o External defects
4.1.1 OHE Defects

1. snapping of conct Damaged OHE components such as insulators, cantilever tubes, jumpers, droppers
wire (fail of joints), etc. may foul with the movement of the pantograph and result in entanglement. The
common OHE defects which may cause pantograph entanglement are as under:
ATD drum not
i. Improper adjustment at turnouts and crossovers
moving freely,
Improper adjustment of stagger and height of contact wire at turnout or
improper ht at cross over results in pantograph getting entangled with overhead wire while
turnouts and moving on the main line.
crossings
ii. Mal functioning of ATD (auto tensioning device)
ATD keeps OHE in correct tension. If ATD drum is not moving freely,
the OHE tension will not remain correct. This will cause sag in OHE at higher
temperature and in cold wheather OHE wire may break. Any sag in OHE is prone
to panto entanglement when pantograph is moving at high speed. Ensure free
movement of ATD.
iii. Failure of manufacturing joints of contact wire.
2. OHE failure Contact wire consists of joints within the running length. These joints are
ex- insulator made during manufacturing. Their failure results in snapping of contact wire. If a
flashover locomotive is moving in the same zone where such a snapping takes place, panto
entanglement will result. Therefore it is necessary to check frequently such joints,
specially those in the polluted areas where they are prone to more failures.
iv. Damaged OHE components
Damaged OHE components such as failure of insulators due to corrosion/
flashover, working out of fixtures, PG clamps, splices, bolts etc. may also
contribute in pantograph entanglement.
Apart from the above, if locomotive goes in unwired section by mistake it
may damage both the panto and 9-t insulators. To avoid this, it should be ensured
that loco stop caution boards are placed at correct locations properly.
Maintenance Handbook on Pantograph AM-12 and Similar Design October, 2011
 30 CAMTECH/E/11-12/Panto AM-12/1.0

CATENARY TUBLAR STAY STAY TUBE

SUSPENSION ADJUSTER INSULATOR
BRACKET TUBLAR STAY ARM

TUBE
CAP

SUSPENSION
CLAMP TUBLAR STAY SLEEVE
MAST FITTING FOR ST
INSULATOR

STANDARD/ LARGE BRACKET

INCLINED DROPPER

REGISTER ARM HOOK

REGISTER
TUBE CAP ARM

CONTACT WIRE
SWIVEL CLIP ANTI WIND
CLAMP

STEADY ARM
BRACKET INSULATOR

MAST FITTING FOR BT INSULATOR

Figure 4.1 Cantilever Assembly

4.1.2 Pantograph Defects
The common defects of pantograph which may cause pantograph entanglement are as
under:
i. Spring box failure.
Spring box failure contributes in pantograph entanglement. To check for any
cracks, Dye Penetration Test should be carried out in cylinder, welding portion of the
steady link, cylinder support and sub mounting assembly. Proper lubrication of plunger
ensures dampening of vibrations of panto pan and prevents cracks in plunger sockets.
Plungers should move freely inside the spring box.
ii. Improper static forces on OHE.
The static force which pantograph exerts on the contact wire prevents undue
oscillations to OHE pantograph system while the locomotive is in motion. This static
force is normally kept at 7 kg. If this static force is less, a large oscillation will cause
the pantograph to leave its contact with OHE resulting in sparking and local heating,
which may damage the contact wire. If this static force is more then friction between
panto pan strip and contact wire will increase.
iii. Missing pins and fasteners.
Provision of split pins shall be ensured during every inspection and also
whenever the panto pan is changed. The split pins at critical locations of articulation
arrangement and full complement of copper shunt helps in reducing pantograph
defects. The split pins should be opened out up to 60 degrees, so that they do not work
out during running.
1. OHE (static pressure on OHE)...since OHE is in continuation
2. PantoOctober,
Pan 2011- (2.1) Damage (Plunger, bal rod crack) andMaintenance (2.2) Levelling
Handbook on Pantograph AM-12 and Similar Design

3. Panto components - 3.1 Spring Box 3.2 Pin Insulator, Pin(Missing Pin at
every inspctn, 60 deg spread) .......................................................................Insulator( base insulator bolt lose)
CAMTECH/E/11-12/Panto AM-12/1.0 31

iv. Cracks in mechanical parts.

The effect of broken and missing components of pantograph such as cracks in
plunger, balancing rod and articulation rod lead to damage of panto pan, ultimately
resulting in panto entanglement during run.
v. Working out of base insulator bolts.
This may cause excessive vibrations in pantograph assembly under dynamic
conditions and may contribute in pantograph entanglement.
vi. Improper leveling of panto pan.
Improper leveling of pantograph pan leads to tilting of pantograph pans.
Horizontally of pantopan shall be ensured during every inspection and also whenever
the panto pan is changed.

4.1.3 External Defects

i. Displacement of OHE caused by mast deflection due to wind/ Storm
ii. External object hitting OHE (Bird hitting/ Monkey Electrocution)
iii. Tree branches/Foreign materials on OHE
iv. Theft
v. Change in track alignment and level

4.2 INVESTIGATION AFTER ENTANGLEMENT

Once the pantograph entanglement happens it becomes rather very difficult to
establish the defect of the loco pantograph or the OHE. It is a great effort to be made to
find out either OHE failed first or the pantograph. For this purpose all the evidences are to
be preserved.
The officer or supervisor of the electrical department arriving first at site of break
down, particularly those involving entanglement of pantograph with the OHE, should make
a very careful note of all relevant details pertaining to breakdown and also prepare a sketch
indicating the particulars. He will also arrange for preservation of such evidence as may be
useful for investigating the cause of breakdown/ entanglement.
Items to be checked on the pantograph and OHE are indicated in proformas I & II.
Maintenance staff, after ensuring that OHE is dead, and earthed in association with
OHE staff will climb on the roof the locomotive. They will remove the HPT links of the
damaged pantograph and earth it and will secure the pantograph with wire rope from the
base frame of the pantograph in such a manner that it does not come in contact with OHE
during the run.
• Prepare a statement stating following:
o Loco No., panto (leading or trailing), Train No., name of driving crew, time etc.
o OHE location No., type of location i.e. turnout, over-lap section insulator etc.
o Record the damages/ breakages of parts of OHE and panto. This should include
the nature of damage/ breakage i.e. bent, broken, crack, hitting, rubbing, flash
marks etc. on panto parts and OHE.
o Any foreign material found on OHE or roof of loco should also be collected and
recorded.
• Record the statement of driving crew, station staff or engineering staff (if any) available
and have been seen by them during the failure or before/after the failure.

Maintenance Handbook on Pantograph AM-12 and Similar Design October, 2011

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4.3 PREPARATION OF JOINT NOTE

Normally it should be prepared jointly by TRD and TRO/TRS staff. However, if

no such staff is made available a first hand joint note should be prepared along with staff of
other department. Final joint note can be made at a later stage at loco shed or station. The
final joint note should always carry the final conclusion and fixing up the responsibility.
But in case it can not be arrived, the matter should be referred to higher ups. However as
far as possible the cause of failure should be established.
The points given below should also be borne in mind during investigation.
4.3.1 OHE Defects
• In case of breakage of bracket tube insulator

If bracket tube insulator failure have resulted in damage and entanglement of

pantograph, then there will always be following evidences.
o A hit mark on front portion of the locomotive.
o Flash mark will also be available on the front portion near roof.
o Headlight of locomotive may get damage.
o The bracket tube will also have the hitting mark and may be bent.
o Front pantograph that may be in lowered condition may get hitting mark.
• In case of breakage of registration tube/ steady tube or associated fitting
o These tubes will hang below the contact wire level and entangle with pantograph.
o Panto pan will have hit mark or break.
o There will be chipping, kink or twist on contact wire since panto will drag the
broken tubes ahead.
o In case of curved track location the stagger will be out and the panto may go off
the contact wire which may damage droppers or even rubbing on catenary wire.
• In case of failure of stay tube insulator
In case of stay tube insulator failure, the cantilever will rest on contact wire
there by the height of OHE will come down. Whenever any of the components of
cantilever projected below the contact wire level, it may cause pantograph
entanglement then:
o Pantograph will have the hitting mark.
o Part of cantilever hitting the panto pan will also get bent, or broken.
• In case of open jumpers/ droppers
These may or may not hang below the contact wire level. However if just on
contact wire, they may entangle with panto pan because of push-up of contact wire. In
this case:
o Panto may not have hitting mark but will be bent or broken.
o The jumper/ dropper entangled with panto will be pulled.
o The jumper/ dropper will be dragged along with PG clamps at catenary; thus there
will be scratch marks on strands.

October, 2011 Maintenance Handbook on Pantograph AM-12 and Similar Design

CAMTECH/E/11-12/Panto AM-12/1.0 33

• In case of section insulator failure

o There will be heavy hitting on panto pan and the runners.
o Runners may badly bent and also heavy chipping will be observed.
o Several petticoats of insulator may shear out.
• Turnouts/ Crossovers
Turnouts are such adjusted that the contact wire of secondary line remains 50
mm above the main line contact wire. The emergency crossovers in between up and
down main line are also equipped similar to turnouts. The entanglement happens on
trailing turnout when its contact wire is below the main line contact wire and the
separation between them is not adequate. Once the horn of pantograph damage/ break,
panto looses its balance and further entangles.

4.3.2 Defects of Pantograph

• Broken/ damaged spring box, its pin etc.
Spring boxes are provided to keep the uniform push up of panto pan in all
conditions. If any of the part of spring box is broken, the alignment of panto pan gets
disturbed. The pan does not remain in horizontal position and because of its running in
inclined position it causes entanglement.
• Broken Upper tube frame
In case of any damage or breakage of upper tube frame i.e. bent, twist etc. the
panto pan also tilted and results in entanglement.
• Failure of positioning link
The positioning link is a pipe, which connects middle articulation to the
transverse rod of the panto pan. This link keeps the panto pan in position. However
failure of any parts of this link that is pin, rod etc. panto pan reverses up side down and
panto pan entangled with the OHE.
• Broken support insulators
Four support insulators are used to support complete assembly of pantograph
and to insulate it from body of locomotive. In case of breakage of any of insulator or
its parts the complete assembly of pantograph tilts which means the panto pan may not
travel in horizontal position and will entangle with OHE.
• Damage/ broken middle articulation
Middle articulation is an assembly connecting lower arm and upper tube of
the pantograph. The joint is very important to keep upper tube in plane and then the
panto pan in perfect horizontal position. In case of any damage or misalignment of this
assembly, the panto pan will not travel in normal condition and will entangle with
OHE.
• Damaged/ disconnected/ bent longitudinal tubes
There are two such tubes in pantograph assembly which connects middle
articulation to panto pan. In case of failure, misalignment etc. the horizontally of panto
pan is disturbed and liable for entanglement with OHE.
It is not advisable to come to conclusion at first instance, but it may be always
good to study the case and hear the witnesses to come to conclusion. No hurry is to be
made but a thorough study of parts; situation, evidence, direction, speed etc. are to be
considered.
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4.4 CHECKS AFTER PANTOGRAPH ENTANGLEMENT

Even after ensuring all above precautionary items, panto entanglement may occur.
In such cases, it is necessary to quickly check the following items pertaining to the OHE
and pantograph. This should be done without causing any delay in the restoration work.
• Measurements
The Measurement so recorded should tally with the measurement in structure
erection drawing for entanglement locations (marked on OHE mast). It should also be
checked whether steady arm holding contact wire is freely moving vertically or not.
• Location of Hit Marks
Search for hit mark in steady arm & the registration arm tube, PG clamps,
droppers, contact wire, dropper clip, splice and jumpers. Any hit mark observed in
these locations should be noted.
• Condition of cracked OHE fittings
The condition of cracked OHE fittings such as clamps, suspension brackets
and contact wire clips should be checked to record whether the cracks are fresh or old.
• Pantograph wearing Strips
Pantograph metalised carbon strips should be properly fastened with panto
pan. There should be no deep grooves. There should be no gap between strip joints.
• Availability of split pins
Check availability of split pins in pantograph assembly.
• Broken components of pantograph
The broken parts of pantograph should be inspected to check whether cracks
are fresh or old.
• Measurements of pantograph
Measurements of good AM-12 & similar design pantograph should be
A= 520,
B= 1800,
C = 300 and
D= 380 as shown in figure. All dimensions are in mm.

A A D

October, 2011 Maintenance Handbook on Pantograph AM-12 and Similar Design