Brazing Copper Earth Tape

[peterpylon]

The spec is that all copper earth tape joints must be brazed. Fault level is 15kA. Size of tape is 50mm x 6mm (300mm²)
What should the joint overlap measure and what is the best filler material to use to gain optimum strength and conductivity? Would a butted "T" joint be acceptable IE contact surface 300mm².
Comments very much appreciated.

 

[alehman]

How about an exothermic weld? They can be made with full overlap or a butt connection. See

http://www.erico.com/catalog/cadweld/

and select "Bus bar to Bus bar". They make molds for 50mm x 6mm bus.

 

[peterpylon]

Thanks Alehman, Yes I've used this kind of joint on buried tape joints. They are very good. But if you've got a client etc who wants the joints brazed, well you have to do it. I need to know what is used as the most cost effective method.
Type of gas torch.
Type of flux.
Type of filler.
temperature etc.
Types of joint etc. etc.

 

[busbar]

Do you want 2% Ag or 72% Ag?

http://www.jwharris.com/jwref/list/

{15-45% is fairly common.}