high current bus bar

[Pafi]

Dear all,
I have to design a 9500A, 7.2kV bus bar. There is an existing 7500 bus bar but I think that I have no possibility to upgrade it to 9500A. From the ABB switchgear manual I found out that U shaped aluminium conductors arranged face-to face are the most suitable for the job - the existing bus bar also use the same sollution. The problem is that I cannot find a supplier for the U section aluminium bars. Maybe someone can indicate a supplier from Europe - preferred ?!
Thanks!

 

[ScottyUK]

You might want to review the publication 'Copper for Busbars' by the CDA before embarking on this project.

http://www.copperinfo.co.uk/busbars/pub22-copper-for-busbars/

Aluminium channel is readily available in many different cross-sections. I refuse to believe that you can't find a supplier of non-ferrous metal sections anywhere in Europe. Have you even tried? If the reason you can't find a supplier is because you are looking for some exotic shape or size then you have two choices: pay for an extrusion die to have the custom section made for you, or work with what is available.


----------------------------------

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

 

[desertfox]

Hi Pafi

Try this link however I would point out two things:-

Testing of your busbar arrangement would need to be carried out:- short circuit testing,temperature rise, power frequency tests on any parts insulated,impulse testing etc. Also you would need to satisfy yourself that the Aluminium Alloy used is the correct grade for what you require in terms of strength and conductivity.

the link:-

http://www.kellysearch.co.uk/qz-product-4210.html

desertfox

 

[Pafi]

Thank you both for the answers. I am aware about the requirements for thermical and mechanical stress for bus bars.
ScottyUK: I tried to find the U section (shape) as for DIN 46424 - mentioned in ABB manual - and unfortunately I failed. For other shapes - rectangular, round bars - there is no problem. But the mechanical construction of bus bar for 10kA and aluminium quantity for rectangular shape is much more complicated/ bigger than with this 'U' shape. We had here in Romania one producer - for such extruded shapes - but unfortunately now he doesn't produce such things anymore and in my research on the Internet I only found profiles for mechanical constructions (doors, windows, cooling profiles for electronic, etc.)
I shall try to use the link provided by desertfox.
best regards,
Pafi