Talk:Tram controls
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"The following article provides a description of the controls found on older style electric trams." Should this article be extended to include controls on newer trams?203.214.4.49February 2006 (UTC)
yes, it should, but I have no knowledge of newer systems. Someone else will need to contribute ! paddington62 March 2006
"Running a tram in anything but full series or full parallel wastes electricity" It this the case even on modern trams with chopper control?Myrtone
I have reorganised the layout of the article to include a separate section on modern tram power control, so the above statement about full and series running remains valid with respect to older trams. Myrtone, the cross links to thyristors seems to suggest that these are now out of date and have been replaced by even newer technology. Similarly the link to line filters links to an article whihc focuses on line filters in the audio field. Is there another form of filter you were thinking of? paddington62 17 March 2006
Thanks for latest edit, Myrtone - I wanted to add something about modern trams and their low speed hum - or is it a buzz? Whatever it's called it's damned annoying on some Melbourne trams, particularly the Z's! paddington62 21 March 2006
On the Z3s (Z1s and Z2s have rheostat controllers), A1s/A2s and B1s it is indeed a buzz. On the B2 class, which has GTO controllers for its motors, it is more of a hum. Let's not forget newer, lower floored trams, though. Myrtone@Tram controls.com.au
[edit] dead mans
The basis for dead mans becoming mandatory was a number of court cases in US and UK involving trams that had run out of control and crashed. Litigation 'pressure' just meant operators had to fit them,although I think the UK Board of Trade (which looked after licencing and accreditation) also required some operators to have protection devices, this was very arbitrary and ad hoc. I have been told that Halifax trams ended up having 8 different braking systems !!!
Interestingly there was also a court case in the 1930's in NSW involving a run-away tram and the court recommended that dead man's handles be fitted to NSW trams, but the govt conveniently forgot to implement the recommendation. Always too difficult and expensive, then the war came, then the case was forgotten....Paddington62 08:30, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
[edit] motor cut-outs
Just realised this should be added - cut-outs are fairly easy to explain for older trams, but I have no idea how to cut out a motor on a PCC or more modern all-electric car. Is it just a switch on the console ?? Paddington62 06:10, 22 May 2006 (UTC)
[edit] windscreen wipers
I'm not sure I agree with the assertion that all modern trams have windscreen wipers. Maybe somewhere there are modern trams without windscreens ? That's why in my edit I merely linked the need for wipers to trams with windscreens (whatever their age), rather than linked to modern trams in general. Another way to structure this paragraph would be to start with the general observation that any vehicle with a windscreen needs wiper(s), then discuss how tram wipers operate - hand, air, electric - then note that very early trams in many cities did not have windscreens and therefore did not have wipers.Paddington62 06:23, 22 May 2006 (UTC)
Disagreed I know of no modern tram design that is open ended, all modern trams I know of have windscreens. Myrtone@Tram controls.com.au
well, I must admire your bravery for asserting 100% knowledge on such things ! I still think it's an inelegant way of expressing it.Paddington62 08:59, 24 May 2006 (UTC)
