Busbar

1500 ampere busbars within a power distribution rack for a large building

A busbar refers in electrical power distribution to thick strips of copper or other material that conduct electricity around a switchboard, distribution board, substation, or other electrical apparatus.

The size of the busbar determines the maximum amount of current that can be safely carried. Small distribution boards or consumer units may have busbars which have a cross sectional area of as little as 10 mm² but large electrical substations may use metal tubes of 50 mm or more in diameter as busbars.

Busbars are typically either flat strips or hollow tubes as these shapes allow heat to dissipate more efficiently due to their high surface area to cross-sectional area ratio. The skin effect makes AC busbars more than about 8 mm (1/3 in) thick inefficient.

Busbars are usually suitably insulated for the voltage which they carry. The busbar may either be supported on insulators, or else insulation may completely surround the busbar. Busbars are protected from accidental contact either by being surrounded in a sheet metal enclosure or by being placed out of normal reach. Neutral busbars may also be insulated. Earth busbars are typically bolted directly onto any metal chassis of their enclosure.

External links

[Copper for Busbars] - standard reference on busbar design by Copper Development Association

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