If you're looking to understand Busway systems for your organization's electrical system installation, and you're unsure which type of Busway is suitable for your technical requirements and budget, let us guide you through exploring Busway products in this article!
Busway is a system of electrical conductors consisting of enclosed rigid bars, with copper or aluminum conductors placed inside and insulated with insulating materials. Busway is engineered with many superior advantages and is used to replace electrical cables.
- Busway can conduct very high currents, up to 6300A.
- It has low losses and the ability to tap power from a single busbar at multiple points along the busbar.
- It offers high aesthetics and saves installation space, reducing the footprint of main electrical distribution panels.
- Due to the absence of bundled conductors, it's easy to identify and repair.
- The flexibility of the Busway system allows for easy disassembly and reassembly for expansion or system retraction.
- Lastly, for a certain operating current (1000A for aluminum conductors, from 1250A or 1600A for copper conductors), the overall cost of using Busway is cheaper than using traditional electrical cables.
Busway Enclosure
The enclosure of a Busway is made from aluminum, directly cast onto the core, sealed, and fully insulated.
Busway Conductor Core
The Busway conductor core comes in two types: Copper (Cu) or Aluminum (Al), with a purity of up to 99.99%. Copper has a higher electrical conductivity (99%) compared to aluminum (63-67%). Therefore, when using aluminum, the conductor must have a larger cross-sectional area (though it is lighter and cheaper for the same current rating).
Insulating Material
Currently, Busway manufacturers primarily use epoxy as the insulating material due to its superior properties. Epoxy provides high insulation (reaching 20-50 Mega Ohms after installation), a long lifespan of 50-70 years, and excellent water resistance.
- Brand: Currently, there are four reputable and high-quality Busway manufacturers in the market: Busway Siemens, Busway Schneider, Busway LS, and Busway GE. Among these, Siemens is the leading brand in terms of quality and preferential services.
- Busway Conductor Material: As previously mentioned, copper and aluminum have different advantages. Customers should base their choice on the technical requirements of the design to select the appropriate material. Since the Busway system does not need to be bent like electrical cables, the flexibility characteristic can be disregarded. For the same operating current:
o Copper Busway: Smaller size, better conductivity, higher durability but more expensive. Therefore, Copper Busway should be prioritized for projects such as hospitals, data centers, PCB manufacturing plants, etc.
o Aluminum Busway: Larger size (but not significantly), but 30-50% cheaper, with guaranteed longevity. Considering efficiency, Aluminum Busway is more commonly used because it is lighter, has negligible losses, and is much cheaper.
- Busway Standards and IP Protection: Customers should consider environmental conditions and technical design specifications to select the appropriate Busway type. The common Busway specifications currently are:
o 3P+100%N+50%E; 3P+200%N-PE
o IP54; IP65; IP68 (for outdoor use, can be submerged in water, or underground)
o Technical standards: IEC 60439-1/2
- Cost Comparison of Busway and Electrical Cable: If the total current is low (up to 1000A) and the path is winding, using electrical cables is more advantageous. Conversely, if the total current is 1000A or more and the path is straight (such as in buildings, and production lines), using the Busway is significantly more beneficial
If you need a Busway system, you can contact the manufacturer directly. However, most major brands have policies to protect their partners, so price differences are usually negligible. In fact, many brands may even have higher B2C prices. Therefore, choosing a reputable Busway dealer remains the top choice.
Fermentum is one of the leading and most reputable Busway suppliers. We offer:
- A team of highly specialized engineers who provide enthusiastic and sincere consultation to help you make the optimal choice.
- Fast delivery times to meet your project deadlines.
- Extremely attractive discount prices.
- Comprehensive installation services.
Therefore, if you need a Busway system, do not hesitate to contact us.
We are always ready to listen and are honored to serve you!
