Enclosure comparison with normal wiring & with busbar system
HRC Fuse switch disconnector and cylindrical fuse holders mounted on to a busbar

Electrical busbar systems[1] (sometimes simply referred to as busbar systems) are a modular approach to electrical wiring, where instead of a standard cable wiring to every single electrical device, the electrical devices are mounted onto an adapter which is directly fitted to a current carrying busbar. This modular approach is used in distribution boards, automation panels and other kinds of installation in an electrical enclosure.[2]

Busbar systems are subject to safety standards for design and installation along with electrical enclosure according to IEC 61439-1 and vary between countries and regions.[3]

Content & types of busbar systems

Incoming cable attached to busbar via clamps without drilling the busbar

A busbar system usually contains couple of busbar holders, busbars, Adapters to mount devices, clamps either with protective covering or without covering to powerup or distribute the current from the busbar system & busbar mountable electrical devices.

Electrical busbar systems can be differentiated by the distance between center of each busbar and vary according to maximum current carrying capacity of the system which depends on IEC standards. commonly known busbar system types.[4]

  • 40 mm Busbar System (Current carrying capacity up to 300–400 Amps)
  • 60 mm Busbar System (Current carrying capacity up to 800–2500 Amps)
  • 100 mm Busbar System (Current carrying capacity up to 1250 Amps)
  • 185 mm Busbar System (Current carrying capacity up to 2500 Amps)

Advantages and disadvantages over traditional electrical wiring

Advantage

Source:[5]

  • Electrically Safe installation up to IP 60 inside the cabinet,
  • Drastically reduce space required inside the cabinet
  • Easy trouble shooting in case of switch gear failure
  • Pre-tested short circuit rating
  • Mounting of 2, 3, 4 or 5 pole switchgear in a single construction
  • Time saving during construction of the cabinet

Disadvantages

  • Commercially not viable if the number of switch gears is low
  • Specialists needed for construction of the busbar system from a wiring diagram
  • Lack of adapters for mounting different electrical devices on the busbar
  • Special type of busbars needed to construct busbar system which can carry current more than 800 Ampere

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Electrical BusBar System".
  2. ↑ Control Solutions, Volume 74. California: PennWell Publishing Company. 2001. pp. 38–40.
  3. ↑ Machine Design, Volume 67, Issues 11-15. California: Penton/IPC. 1995. pp. 91–94.
  4. ↑ ÖZE. Österreichische Zeitschrift für Elektrizitätswirtschaft, Volume 45. Springer-Verlag. 1992. pp. 303–304.
  5. ↑ Ines Stotz (2016). "Sichere Energieverteilung schnell und normgerecht geplant". Electro Technik (in German). Nuremberg.
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