Electrical Systems
The Tide will be powered by an Overhead Catenary System (OCS), which is a system of overhead wires that supply electricity to the vehicles through a pantograph. The pantograph, a devise affixed to the top of each vehicle, collects electricity by pressing against the lowest wire in the OCS, known as the ‘contact wire’. Electric currents are maintained to the contact wire by a second supporting wire, known as the messenger wire. The use of an OCS allows cars, pedestrians and bicyclists to travel safely across the tracks without exposure to electrical currents. Wires have been strung in several locations east of Harbor Park.
The first OCS poles were installed along the track behind Norfolk State University and can be seen throughout The Tide’s route east of Harbor Park. In total 560 poles will be installed in the 7.4 miles between Eastern Virginia Medical Center and Newtown Road. The poles are approximately 25 feet tall and are made of galvanized steel to prevent corrosion. OCS poles pose no threat as they are insulated and grounded so they will not produce electricity.
The Tide’s electrical system includes seven Traction and Power Substations that provide power to the OCS by converting higher-voltage power from utility companies into lower-voltage power needed to run the vehicles. Having seven substations allows for the adequate distribution of power flow throughout the system and allows ‘load sharing’ between substations. Load sharing ensures that if one substation shuts down, those on either side continue to feed electricity to that section. They are designed to minimize their visual impact and make very little noise. All substations have been installed east of downtown with the Second Street and York Street locations to be completed this year.
