# overhead line

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Railway operators and infrastructure managers use the overhead line as the primary power supply for electric traction: a contact wire is suspended above the track, and the train's pantograph slides along it to draw current into the traction system.

Railway operators and infrastructure managers use the overhead line as the primary power supply for electric traction: a contact wire is suspended above the track, and the train's pantograph slides along it to draw current into the traction system. Return current flows back through the running rails. European networks operate under several different voltage and current standards – commonly 15 kV or 25 kV alternating current and 3 kV direct current – reflecting decades of independent national development. For cross-border freight and passenger services, this diversity requires multi-system locomotives capable of switching automatically between supply systems.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overhead_line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overhead_line)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | overhead line |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 96 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overhead_line |

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