List of railway electrification systems

• Volts: voltage or volt • Current: • DC = direct current • # Hz = frequency in hertz (alternating current (AC)) • AC supplies are usually single-phase (1φ) except where marked three-phase (3φ). • Conductors: • overhead line or • conductor rail, usually a third rail to one side of the running rails. Conductor rail can be: • top contact: oldest, least safe, most affected by ice, snow, rain and leaves. Protection boards are installed on most top contact systems, which increases safety and reduces these affections. • side contact: newer, safer, less affected by ice, snow, rain and leaves • bottom contact: newest, safest, least affected by ice, snow, rain and leaves ==Systems using standard voltages==

Voltages are defined by two standards: BS EN 50163 and IEC 60850. Overhead systems 600 V DC 750 V DC 1,200 V DC 1,500 V DC 3 kV DC AC,  Hz / AC, AC, Conductor rail systems 600 V DC conductor All systems are third rail unless stated otherwise. Used by some older metros. 750 V DC conductor Conductor rail systems have been separated into tables based on whether they are top, side or bottom contact. Used by most metros outside Asia and the former Eastern bloc. Bottom contact Side contact Top contact Mixed 1,200 V DC conductor All systems are third rail unless stated otherwise. 1,500 V DC conductor All systems are third rail unless stated otherwise. ==Systems using non-standard voltages==

Overhead systems DC voltage AC voltage Three-phase AC voltage Two wires Three wires Conductor rail systems (DC voltage) Conductor rail systems have been separated into tables based on whether they are top, side or bottom contact. Top contact systems Side contact systems All third rail unless otherwise stated. Bottom contact systems All third rail unless otherwise stated. Conductor rail systems (AC voltage) All systems are 3-phase unless otherwise noted. ==Special or unusual types==

DC, plough collection from conductors in conduit below track • London County Council Tramways, later operated by London Transport • streetcars in New York City (Manhattan), New York • Washington, D.C. streetcars • Panama Canal locks' ship handlers (called mules) DC, one ground-level conductor • Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways, England (stud contact) (1902–1921) • Bordeaux Tramway, France (conductor rail) • Sydney Light Rail (tramway) • Rio de Janeiro Light Rail, Brazil DC, two-wire • Greenwich, England. Previously used by trams when in the vicinity of Greenwich Observatory; separate from trolleybus supply. • Cincinnati, Ohio, US. Tram (streetcar) system used this arrangement throughout, probably due to legal constraints on ground return currents. • Havana and Guanabacoa, Cuba. Tram (streetcar) systems in both cities used this arrangement. • Lisbon, Portugal. Elevador da Bica, Elevador da Glória and Elevador da Lavra. DC, power from running rails • Gross-Lichterfelde Tramway (1881–1893), 180 V • Ungerer Tramway (1886–1895) • transportable railways as a ride for children DC, four-rail ==See also==