Eurpoean-style single arm pantographs in Japan

[Socimi]

Just noticed this on the Shin-Keisei 8900 series (1993).

 

http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/m900d/imgs/c/0/c04368fe.jpg

 

It has european-style traingular single arm pantographs rather than the usual Japanese ones.

 

A little of research revealed that these may actually be the first private railway EMU with single-arm pantographs, while the first JR EMU with (more familiar) single-arm pantographs would be JR Central's 383 series (1994).

 

http://1st.geocities.jp/hyama5071/383/IMG_19990313_0043_1.JPG

 

[railsquid]

Out of curiosity, what are the advantages of single-arm pantographs compared to the older type?

[Socimi]

6 hours ago, railsquid said:

Out of curiosity, what are the advantages of single-arm pantographs compared to the older type?

 

I think because they need less maintenance (only 3 joints compared to 12 on older squared ones) and are less expensive to manufacture. (less metal needed) 

[Suica]

When it comes to European style pantos in Japan, I always have to think of the EF200 first.

I have no idea what the pros and cons of each type are but I would think the Euro style panographs would allow for a higher contact pressure. I simply base that assumption on the fact that Japanese locos always run with both pantos up, in which case the contact pressure doesn't have to be that high since you got two pickup points, while in Europe usually just one pantograph is actively used during operation.

Edited June 16, 2018 by Suica