Installing Bus Duct Properly
Bust duct, also known as busways, is created from a sheet of metal with the busbar made of copper or aluminum. Bus duct conducts electrical currents, which is their main purpose when used in manufacturing. Many companies manufacture bus duct; one of the most popular suppliers is Square D. Not only does Square D manufacture bus duct, but they also supply a wide range of bus plugs, electrical switches, circuit breakers, and more. Proper installation and assembly of a bus duct will save you money and prevent costly downtime.
Proper Bus Duct Installation
To ensure your electrical system functions properly, your bus duct must be installed correctly. Busways are used to provide power throughout an electrical system, so if there is an issue with the duct, it can result in costly delays and downtime. In order to avoid this, proper installation is required.
The Importance of Ampacity
The amount of electrical current that a device can withstand without being damaged is called ampacity. A bus duct ampacity rating is determined using the temperature within the operating space and referencing a standard chart for temperature assumptions. Once the operating temperature has been determined, users must consider the rise in temperature between a zero current and a full load current. For example, a common bus duct with copper inside often has a current rating of 2,000 amps per square inch. The rating results in the voltage dropping as the temperature increases.
Additional Protection
Like with any electrical installation, location is a crucial aspect that needs to be considered. Busway installation is downstream from transformers and upstream from the primary overcurrent device for most facilities. Whatever instruments are being used to protect the transformer cannot be used to protect the bus duct from an electrical fault.
Extra protection to the bus duct is another way to decrease potential downtime. When downtime occurs, facilities end up paying for workers to stand around. Adding an extra layer of protection to your busway will give you extra peace of mind as you know your bus duct will properly function.
Bus duct that is installed outdoors should include protection from the elements. Choose a shelter that allows water to drain vs. sitting in a pool overhead. Extra water allowed to collect can cause a short in the busway. Humidity can also be an issue when busways are utilized outside. This can be prevented by using stainless steel as it inhibits corrosion. An epoxy primer of paint can be added to the housing to prevent the oxidation of the metal.
Bus duct can also be installed on an outside wall. When this is the case, proper flame-retardant wall fittings that are waterproof and vapor-resistant should also be used as a precaution. Extra supports for the duct where they enter the wall should be in place to hold the excess weight.
The proper installation of busway is vital. The correct structure allows a system to function appropriately without downtime. Protection helps to prevent corrosion and protects from outside elements. And using proper metals and assembly kits from the manufacturer help to ensure you are using the right materials for your bus duct assembly.
J & P Electrical Company is a full-service electrical company that supplies contractors, end users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We offer a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, bus duct, panels switches, and transformers. Services include asset management, product reconditioning, and electrical products.
