Busbars or bus bars are essential metallic strips or bars widely used in electrical power distribution systems. They are conductive bars or strips made of materials like copper or aluminium and feature various connection points for cable or conductor attachments. A bus bar is a central point for collecting power from multiple sources, such as generators or transformers, and distributing it to various loads like motors, equipment, and other devices. As grounding substances, these bars also serve to connect multiple batteries and DC equipment and are commonly found in electrical switchgear, distribution panels, substations, and industrial facilities. Additionally, bus bars come in varied shapes, sizes, designs, and current ratings to meet different requirements in various domains.
Key Features and Benefits of Busbars
Using bus bars provides multiple benefits and special features, such as:
- Rugged Materials for Excellent Conductivity: Busbars are made from highly electrically conductive materials, ensuring minimal resistance to the current flow and reducing energy losses and heat generation.
- Connection Points: Busbars have in-built connection points equipped with connectors, clamps, or lugs.
- Easy Installation and Maintenance: Installing busbars is generally easier and quicker than routing individual cables, leading to reduced labour costs and shorter downtime.
- Enhanced Electrical Safety: Bus bars are typically enclosed within protective housing, contributing to improved electrical safety.
- Low Impedance: Busbars are designed with low impedance to minimise voltage drops and power losses as the current flows through them.
- Mechanical Strength: Bus bars are mechanically robust, supporting their weight and handling potential mechanical stresses due to short-circuit currents.
- Robust Flexibility: Busbars are available in various shapes and configurations to suit different applications. Common shapes include flat bus bars, rectangular bus bars, and tubular bus bars.
- High Current Carrying Capacity: These bars can handle high current levels, making them suitable for applications that require substantial power distribution.
Popular Types of Busbars
Busbars come in various types, each designed for specific applications based on factors like current capacity, voltage levels, materials used, and environmental conditions. Some popular busbar types include:
- Solid Busbars – These are simple and standard bars used for low to medium-current applications, such as within switchgear, distribution panels, and small substations.
- Comb Busbars – These bars are among the most basic types found in small distribution boards and switchgear panels. A comb busbar is beneficial in reducing the number of wiring connections.
- Flexible Busbars – As the name implies, flexible bus bars are crafted from thin copper strips, allowing robust flexibility. Due to their flexible designs, they suit environments requiring movement or vibrations.
- Copper Busbars – These types suit high-current applications due to their excellent electrical conductivity. A copper busbar is typically found inside industrial switchgear, control panels, busway enclosures, and larger panel boards.
- Aluminium Busbars – These bus bars are lightweight, cost-effective, and mostly used in applications requiring lightweights.
- Insulated Busbars – An insulated busbar is covered with insulated materials designed to protect accidental contacts with live wires in panel boards and switchgear. Insulation materials include PVC or epoxy.
Typical Applications of Busbars
Bus bars are widely used for transmitting and distributing electrical power within various commercial, residential, and industrial applications. Some of the typical bus bar applications include:
- Power Distribution Systems
- Switchgear & Substations
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Electric Vehicles (EVs)
- Data Centers
- Retail services
- Datapoints
- Digital laboratories
- Hospitals
- Power Converters & Inverters
- Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS).
