G.E. Spectra Bus Duct Failure

[kenojoe]

We had a failure today of our GE Spectra Bus Duct. The failure appears to have originated at one of the insulated thru bolts. The bolts are spaced approx. every 10" throughout the length of the duct. They are 3/8-16 bolts with a Mylar type tube over the bolt, going thru the insulated bus bars. After removing several of these bolts we noticed that some of the bus bars were not space in the center of the bus duct "skin". Inspection revealed on one bolt that the bar was shifted enough off center that it was cutting into the Mylar insulation, into the threads of the 3/8 bolt. Has anyone had a similar experience with the GE Spectra Bus Duct? This is located outdoors and water was found internally. Thanks for any information.

 

[alehman]

I don't like using busduct outdoors for the reason you mention, unless it is loaded sufficiently to keep it warm and dry. Not familiar with the particular failure mode you mention.

Alan
“The engineer's first problem in any design situation is to discover what the problem really is.” Unk.

 

[catserveng]

I was just on an outage Sunday and nearly all of the GE busduct read low, and this is after recent work to clean, seal and protect. During the inspection we found several minor issues, and two areas similar to what you described.

This particular customer is so fed up with the problems they are looking at replacing it with conduit and cable.

There is also a fairly large amount of the same duct used indoors on this job, it has by no means been trouble free, but currently it appears there are no major issues.

I haven't done a lot with busduct in the past, but based on this site I would be hard pressed to suggest the GE duct to any other users. We've also had a lot of parts problems, wrong pieces being sent. And the installation and maint documentation is pretty poor, at least what we've been given, and a lot of the info doesn't match what's installed. In all pretty disappointing from a company like GE.

My two cents. Mike L.

 

[undervoltage]

GE busducts are crap. I am going through the installation of 4000A busduct and alot of problems I am facing with phase orientation. This is for the first time I came to know about this problem. On the isometric drawings for my project, its written outdoor. We have installed it outdoor but I am not sure whether its IP65 of not.

The problem is that at point when you order the busduct for any project and later in the projet any small changes, you cant do anything except to carry the financinal loss.

The exsisting busduct which we are replacing is manufactured by Cutler Hammer. I like one thing about it. In the busduct housing the phases orientation is "R Y B N B Y R", so even if you have to rotate it you still have the same phase orientation.

 

[scottf]

Ritz (disclaimer...I work for them) is having a lot of success with their line of solid insulated bus systems...called SIS.

http://www.ritzusa.com/Resources/47.pdf

Sold as an alternate to bus duct and multi-cable technologies.

Up to 36 kV and 7500A and completely insulated. Able to make complex bends and fit into tight spaces.

/end sales pitch