Encapsulated bus duct

[jraef]

I am in need of a source for some 400A encapsulated bus rated for 500VDC. I need encapsulation because it will be in a trough that will get water in it during rain storms. The water will drain away but will likely fill the trough under worst case scenarios. Connections can be made in a protected space at levels above the maximum water fill, but the bus itself must be in the trough, no way around it. I have seen several IEC sources but I need UL listing on top of these other onerous requirements.

Any ideas?


"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." -- Abraham Lincoln
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[Rodmcm]

Try this

http://www.vass.com.au/

 

[Rodmcm]

or this

http://www.vass.com.au/h_range.asp

 

[ScottyUK]

At 400A why use bus duct - cable would be adequate for the current rating and cable meets water all the time, or are there other factors here too? Post all the requirements!



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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[jraef]

ScottyUK,
I prefer to keep things simple, so cable was my first choice too, but the idea was shot down because of "operation issues". I don't agree with their assessment but I am not the boss, if you now what I mean. The equipment that will be connecting to this bus will need to be "hot swappable", although I don't think they truly understand what that entails. But needless to say, unplugging something from a stringer of cables is much more problematic that having a fixed bus with tap off boxes. Worst yet, the "aesthetic engineers" got hold of this design and finalized it before it got to us EEs. Now we are supposed to pull miracles out of our rear ends. I was hoping to find something that at least already exists to start with, rather than invent a solution from whole cloth.

If I posted more details I'd have to kill everyone that read it...


"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." -- Abraham Lincoln
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> faq731-376

 

[PHovnanian]

Worst yet, the "aesthetic engineers" got hold of this design and finalized it before it got to us EEs.

Tell them they can do the EE stuff when you pick out the decor for the front lobby.

400A is 'doable' with cables and plugs if you need hot swap capabilities. Immersable plugs/receptacles might be problematic, but the marittime and mining industries deal with similar conditions all the time. I'm sure they've got solutions and most of them look like cables. Having to connect/disconnect taps from bus ducts and keep them 'encapsulated' sounds far more problematic to me.

 

[ScottyUK]

If connectors are an option, Cavotec have a range which goes up to 1000A / pole and are designed for heavy industrial and quarry applications. Nice products - very well constructed.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!