The lowest, bare copper or alloy wire in an overhead electrification system. It carries high-voltage direct or alternating current and physically rubs against the carbon strips of a locomotive's pantograph. It is suspended from a messenger wire by vertical droppers to keep it perfectly level, preventing the pantograph from bouncing and losing power at high speeds.
Heard on the job
The storm brought down a tree branch and tore down 300 feet of contact wire on the main line.
Also heard as
- trolley wire