Research Lab Power Distribution

[richanton]

I work in a large research lab with many individual lab spaces. For the last 50 years, we have used GE DH bus duct rated at 3 phase, 208 volt, 100 amps. That product is no longer available and parts are getting harder to find, so I was wondering what others might be doing for bringing similar power capacity into their labs.

 

[controlsdude]

former Wampler

http://www.conductix.us/en

StarLine

http://www.starlinepower.com/busway/

Vahle

http://www.vahleinc.com

 

[JensenDrive]

Gee, search the web on bus duct and you will find more than a few sources.

 

[richanton]

Actually, Starline is the only manufacturer that makes anything similar in a 100 amp size. No one else does that I can find online. The problem with Starline is the attachment is similar to track lighting where you insert and twist to lock-in. I'm not that comfortable with that arrangement, so hence why I was wondering if I may have missed some other product online. GE makes Spectra bus, but it only comes in 225 amp size and bus plugs are way too large.

 

[JensenDrive]

Oh, I did not catch that you said 100A. Wow, that seems small for bus duct from my work history. Eaton, MP Husky, Square D, GE .... each have a line, but I think they stop at about 600A. I looked up Starline, and it has me intrigued, I might need to read up on that concept. It seems people have moved to circuit breaker panels with individual lines to the loads. I might consider the small bus duct concept on my next job. I learned something from this.

 

[controlsdude]

"The problem with Starline is the attachment is similar to track lighting where you insert and twist to lock-in."
Assemble issue mentioned above
Starline twist and lock is assembly and anytime you do this procedure is to turn off power. Then do the twist and lock. Turn power back on.

 

[SceneryDriver]

We have hundreds of feet of 3-phase 208/120V Starline in the shop where I work, and it's very reliable. It is similar in concept to track lighting connections, but MUCH more robust. It's designed for industrial use. Correct procedure is indeed to power down the run before adding or removing a tap box (which normally contains the necessary OCPD for the cord drop in the form of a DIN rail -mount QO breaker and enclosure). However, many people rather foolishly leave the power on when moving taps - really dumb.

I wouldn't worry too much about the Starline. It works well, and we've rarely experienced issues. The only real issue is when the forklift drivers don't pay attention, and snag the cable drops.


SceneryDriver