As highlighted by E+I Engineering in their article “Why Should You Choose Busbar Over Cable?”, it is crucial to adhere to standards and regulations when planning power supply requirements. Continuous energy supply is essential for modern building projects, and busbars offer a cost-effective and easily configurable solution for construction.
A busbar is a rigid piece of copper or aluminum housed inside switchgear, panel boards, and busway enclosures for local high-current power distribution. In contrast, electrical cables consist of one or more wires running side by side or bundled to carry electric current.
Here are some tested advantages of busbar trunking systems that have resolved long-standing issues with cables:
- Compressed & Sleek Design Busbars feature a compact and sleek design, ensuring efficiency and reliability with tightly compressed conductors. Unlike cables, which require large bend radii and take up more space, busbars have a steel shell that creates a lower electromagnetic field around them. This allows high loads (4000 to 5000 amperes) to be handled without electromagnetic interference.
- Scalable & Elegant Busbar trunking systems can be repurposed without significant capital expenditure to fit any space. In contrast, moving, changing, reconfiguring, and expanding cabling can be expensive and disruptive.
- Optimal Distribution Busbars have better resistance, especially evident during short circuit testing. The minimal distance between conductors in a busbar reduces resistance induction, leading to lower voltage loss compared to cables. The thin tire of a busbar helps in the optimal distribution of current density, reducing resistance.
- Cost-Effective Contrary to the misconception that busbars are costly, their easy and reduced installation time makes them competitively priced. Over their lifetime, busbars are more cost-effective than cables as they are efficient and virtually maintenance-free. Busbar trunking systems can economically distribute energy in any building, with precise power distribution planning ensuring accurate cost estimation early in the project.
- Prolonged-Proofing Busbar trunking systems (BBT) are highly flexible and can be adapted for safe distribution through junction boxes that can be easily relocated if needed. This adaptability ensures future-proofing of power distribution systems, allowing modifications to meet changing requirements.
- Safe and Secure Busbars incorporate certified standard components such as junction boxes and plugs, reducing human error. With steel casing, busbars are less likely to wear out or be damaged by rodents, making them safer than cables.
Click here to learn more about American Power Connection Systems’ products.
Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of e-i-eng.com
