How many volts in a tram line?

Answer 1

In some European cities, the power supply vary between 600 and 1000V DC, and can feed up to several KA within one section. The ideal height for such wires is around 5,5 m above ground level. The rails has always negative load, which means the ground is more or negatively charged. The wire is always positive. If you stand on top of a vehicle and touch the tram wire, the power will go through the vehicle's wheels, through the vehicle, and through your body. Dependent on the current load (Watt) on the section, you can get seriously hurt or even die. If there are many trams (consumers) in the section, the damage on your body will be more serious than if there is a lower load. When you are stuck in such a situation, you can feel the pulses from the power station through your body and sometimes you cannot release yourself. In such situations someone should drag or hit you, in order to release you. After such incidents you will feel numb in those parts of the body where the power has passed through, and you should be taken to hospital to be examined (eeg etc) and monitored for the next 24 hrs.