How is power supplied to a Ferris wheel?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on how power is supplied to a Ferris wheel, particularly focusing on the electrical wiring and systems used to provide power to the rotating components and capsules. Participants explore various aspects of the power supply, including safety considerations and technical components involved in the process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses curiosity about the wiring for a Ferris wheel, indicating a lack of background in electrical fields.
  • Another participant suggests that large electric motors and gearboxes are typically used for Ferris wheels.
  • A participant mentions the London Eye and speculates that power to the capsules might involve slip rings and possibly a low voltage DC system for safety, also noting the presence of battery backup for power failures.
  • There is a shared expectation among participants regarding the use of slip rings to facilitate power transfer across rotating interfaces.
  • One participant raises concerns about the voltage levels, suggesting that they could be dangerous to touch, especially given the number of electrical components like air conditioning and lighting in the capsules.
  • A reference is made to a source that confirms the need for electric power to cross rotating interfaces, which is achieved through duplicated bus-bar/slip rings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the use of slip rings and the need for electrical power to cross rotating interfaces, but there are differing views on the specifics of the voltage levels and safety considerations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact technical details of the power supply system.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached a consensus on the voltage specifications or the exact nature of the power supply systems used in Ferris wheels. There are assumptions about safety and the technical feasibility of using low voltage systems that have not been fully explored.

vidya sagar
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How the wiring is given for giant/ferry wheel as it rotates. I don't belong to electrical fields. Curious to know.
 
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hi there
welcome to PF :smile:

vidya sagar said:
ferry wheel

ferry wheel as on a boat ? or ferris wheel as in a fun park ?

I'm going to assume initially that you are talking about a ferris wheel

Ferris-wheel.jpg


usually large electric motors and gearboxes
Dave
 
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The London Eye has air conditioned, lighted capsules.

I couldn't find how the capsule power connects. I suspect a slip ring or two somewhere. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a low voltage DC system for safety reasons.

They do have battery backup on board in case of power failure.
 
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Jeff Rosenbury said:
. I suspect a slip ring or two somewhere.

That would be my expectation tooIt appears as tho I may have mis-read the OP a bit :rolleyes:
 
This doesn't indicate the voltage but does include a picture of one of the interface components:

http://www.ingenia.org.uk/Content/ingenia/issues/issue6/Roberts.pdf

I would suspect that the voltage would be dangerous to touch. There are 32 air conditioned pods with leveling servos attached as well as a significant amount of architectural lighting. Running this off of a touch safe voltage would require some unreasonable current that would cause the brushes to wear out in short order.

BoB
 
From rbelli1's link:
All the capsule systems require electric power. But power has to cross two rotating interfaces to enter the capsules (i.e. ground–wheel, and wheel–capsule) and so this is accomplished via duplicated bus-bar/slip-rings[.]
p. 37.
 
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