System and method for supporting elevated power rails

Abstract

A modular structure supports elevated rail segments (240) for delivering electrical power to a moving work machine (100), such as a hauler at a mining site. Opposite ends of a roadside barrier (204) contain complementary tubular couplers (206, 208) arranged vertically. A lower end of a dielectric post (220A) positioned in one of the tubular couplers has opposing dielectric plates (226A, 228A) at an upper end. A top edge (802) of each plate has a creepage concavity (814) between a pair of rail recesses (804, 806). Another dielectric post (220B) of similar configuration is positioned in the other of the tubular couplers. Holes within the couplers and the posts ensure alignment of respective rail recesses in which conductive rails (234A) are placed. Dielectric inserts (810A, 812A) frictionally lock the rails into the rail recesses.