Cable bus connections

[tulum]

Hello,

High current application busbar systems typical have multiple bars per phase spaced 1 bar thickness apart in order to allow better utilization of the conductor material i.e. for skin effect.

My question is...

When I bring a feeder cable into the bus compartment to connect to the bus do I need to insert metal spacers in between every run underneath where I make the cable-bus connection? Or do I simply bolt my lug through all runs with a nut on the other side (and acceptable washers etc. of course)?

Any help appreciated...

Regards,
TULUM

 

[alehman]

You must bring the individual bars together or use spacers made of bus bar material. If not, you will not be able to get adquate pressure on the lug connection and the current will not divide equally between the bars. It is common to provide a solid bar connection point for cables rather than bolting lugs directly to multi-bar buses.

 

[tulum]

Thanks Alehman.

Regards,
TULUM

 

[busbar]

 
alehmen’s suggestion of a through bolt and copper spacers will minimize local (over)heating at the tap. The result will be load dependent, but it is the safest approach.