To prevent sleet accumulation on electric equipment standing in yards or storage tracks, what action should be performed?

• A. Lower and raise Pantograph frequently to prevent accumulating of sleet.
• B. Keep the pantograph raised at all times to prevent sleet.
• C. Remove the equipment from service immediately.
• D. Apply de icing spray to the pantograph.

Answer: (A)

Sleet and ice can build up on the pantograph when electric equipment sits parked in yards or storage tracks. Cycling the pantograph by lowering it and then raising it again provides a quick mechanical jolt that shakes off any accumulating sleet. This helps maintain a clean, reliable contact surface for when the train resumes operation. Keeping the pantograph up at all times during storage invites ice to bond to the contact surface and can lead to poor current collection later, so that approach is not effective for prevention. Removing equipment from service or spraying de-icer on the pantograph is not the standard preventive measure for this situation and isn’t necessary.