What is the voltage used on the UK rail network’s overhead electric supply?

Since the introduction of electrification in the late 19th Century, a number of different systems have been used. The two that are used today are the ‘Third Rail’, in which a 750 volt DC supply is collected from a conductor rail at the side of the track and the ‘Overhead Line Equipment (OHLE)’, which provides 25,000 volts AC. The 25 kv OHLE system is used mainly on major routes using higher speeds while the 750 volt conductor rail system is used largely on slower suburban routes such as Merseyrail and Southern Railway. Approximately 64% of the electrified network uses OHLE with 36% using conductor rail.

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

11 Comments

Bob Watt

Where overhead electrification is being installed at stations on the British rail network nowadays, additional clearance has to be factored in, in case someone talking a "selfie" lets their device get too close to picking up the current - I kid you not.

Player

My dad is a network rail engineer. I own this since I was a child.

Chrissie

Andythepiano, That is dreadful, I'm so sorry. May have been quite a while ago, but it's still an absolutely terrible way to lose a friend at a young age.

Chrissie

Val Wilkinson, I live in an area where there was a half-century delay between one train and the next. I still get excited if I'm out and about and see a train of any type!

Chrissie

Kenneth Dallas, I thought that too at first, but the question is about voltage on the overhead supply, so yes it does.

Andythepiano

I had a school friend who went fishing next to a railway line. He cast the line, but the wind took it and instead of landing in the creek, hit the high voltage cable. The funeral was a few days later

Val Wilkinson

I presumed 750v as most of my life I have lived in a third rail area. It does look a lot nicer but is more expensive to instal and maintain. I now live in an area with occasional diesel trains...