Busbar System: Types, Uses and More
Large industries and buildings always have switchgear installed to conduct their electricity easily and prevent any electric fire or sparking. The switchgear has busbar systems that help deliver power to all the overcurrent branches. Busbar systems are comparatively safer and more convenient than the traditional cable system. These systems are used in factories, laboratories, universities, office buildings, hospitals, data centers, and more.
The switchgear and bus bars come in different sizes. The size varies based on the use of switchgear such as 40, 50,225, 250, and it can go up to 1250 amps. This post mentions the different types, advantages, and more about the busbar systems.
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What is a Busbar System?
Generally, two or more wires are attached to a single wire to conduct electricity to various points in a building. In many cases, the improper connections get loose and open up, leading to short circuits and, in some cases, fire. In addition, the short circuits may harm the computer system leading to loss of important data. Therefore, engineers came up with an electric bus wire system to prevent open-circuit conditions.
Busbar is an electrical component used to accumulate the current from input terminals and distribute it to different output points. In other words, the busbar acts as a junction between the put and input points of an electrical system. It collects all the electrical power in one place and further sends it to the required output points and terminals.
Busbar system is available in many shapes and sizes. You can get it in rectangular strips, bars, round tubes, and square bars made of different metals. This system contains a circuit breaker and isolator wherein if the system finds any fault, it automatically breaks the electric circuit and prevents any sparking or fire. Industries mostly use rectangular busbars for efficient power distribution.
How do I choose the Busbar for my Industry?
You can find the busbars in various sizes and pick one based on the utilization and size of your Industry. They are available in:
- 40x5mm
- 50x6mm
- 60x8mm
- 100x10mm and more.
In addition, the size you choose mostly depends on factors such as cost, reliability, flexibility, and more. Therefore, it is suggested to choose the one that helps you serve the purpose at cheaper costs but is also reliable and is sufficient for breaking the circuit chain in case of an emergency.
Types of Busbars
- Single Busbar Arrangement: It is the most basic busbar design. It consists of a single group of busbar strips that connect all the elements in the switchgear. These components can be generators, transformers, feeders, and more.
- Bus Sectioning in Single Busbar Arrangement: The sectioning in the group of strips is made with an isolator and circuit breaker system. It allows the busbar to prevent the total blackout in the building; instead, it breaks the circuit, which shows any faults.
- Main and Transfer Bus Arrangement: It has two bars, namely, the auxiliary busbar and the main bus bar. It is popular in stations where the power socket is interconnected to many output points. Such arrangement provides flexibility in the circuit while also keeping the supply continuous.
- Double Bus with Double Breaker Arrangement: It is similar to the main and transfers arrangement. However, it contains two breakers in place of one. It helps transfer the load to the other bus smoothly without any interruptions.
- Sectioned Double Bus Arrangement: As the name suggests, the main bus bar is sectioned into two. The other one duplicates the original bar and is separated using a coupler arrangement. It keeps the system running because you can easily put one bar up for maintenance.
There are several other kinds of busbars available in the market. You can look for them and choose based on your utility.
Final Words
Busbar system is popular in switchgear to save the buildings from any unwanted power cuts, fires, sparking, and other damages to the property. They are used in laboratories, hospitals, industries, and other places with multiple output points and different voltage requirements. Switchgears and busbars arrangements allow in keeping the electrical conduction in control and safe for use.
