Under double Pantograph instruction, what must a single locomotive do prior to entering Phase Break (PB) and Dead Section (DS)?

• A. Keep Pantographs Up through PB and DS.
• B. Drop all Pantographs prior to entering PB and DS.
• C. Drop only the front pantograph.
• D. Stop and wait for an additional instruction.

Answer: (B)

Under double pantograph instruction, the locomotive must drop all pantographs before entering Phase Break and Dead Section. This ensures there is no physical contact with the overhead while power is interrupted or isolated in those zones, preventing arcing, backfeed, or damage to equipment and reducing the risk of unexpected current flow. Keeping pantographs up or just lowering one pantograph could leave a contact path that isn’t safe in a dead or broken section, and waiting for further instruction isn’t the standard procedure when the rule is to ensure full pantograph retraction. Dropping both pantographs eliminates any contact with the overhead and allows a safe transition into PB and DS.