Switchgear and Substations

3.3 Low-Voltage Switchgear

3.3.8 Busbar Trunking Systems

General When a planning concept for power supply is developed, it is not only imperative to observe standards and regulations, it is also important to discuss and clarify economic and technical interrelations. The rating and selection of electric equipment, such as distribution boards and transformers, must be performed in such a way that an optimum result for the power system as a whole is kept in mind rather than focusing on individual components.

All components must be sufciently rated to withstand normal operating conditions as well as fault conditions. Further important aspects to be considered for the creation of an energy concept are: Type, use and shape of the building (e.g. high-rise building, low-rise building, multi-storey building) Load centers and possible power transmission routes and locations for transformers and main distribution boards Building-related connection values according to specic area loads that correspond to the buildings type of use Statutory provisions and conditions imposed by building authorities Requirements of the power distribution network operator The result will never be a single solution. Several options must be assessed in terms of their technical and economic impacts. The following requirements are the main points of interest: Easy and transparent planning Long service life High availability Low re load Flexible adaptation to changes in the building Most applications suggest the use of suitable busbar trunking systems to meet these requirements. For this reason, engineering companies increasingly prefer busbar trunking to cable installation for power transmission and distribution. Siemens offers busbar trunking systems ranging from 25 A to 6,300 A.

Planning Notes Considering the complexity of modern building projects, transparency and exibility of power distribution are indispensable requirements. In industry, the focus is on continuous supply of energy as an essential prerequisite for multi-shift production. Busbar trunking systems meet all these requirements on efcient power distribution by being easily planned, quickly installed and providing a high degree of exibility and safety. The advantages of busbar trunking systems are: Straightforward network conguration Low space requirements Easy retrotting in case of changes of locations and consumer loads High short-circuit strength and low re load Increased planning security Power transmission Power from the transformer to the low-voltage switchgear is transmitted by suitable components in the busbar trunking system. These components are installed between transformer and main distribution board, then branching to sub-distribution systems. Trunking units without tap-off points are used for power transmission. These are available in standard lengths. Besides the standard lengths, the customer can also choose a specic length from various length ranges to suit individual constructive requirements. Power distribution Power distribution is the main area of application for busbar trunking systems. This means that electricity cannot just be tapped from a permanently xed point as with a cable installation. Tapping points can be varied and changed as desired within the entire power distribution system. In order to tap electricity, you just have plug a tap-off unit on the busbar at the tap-off point. This way a variable distribution system is created for linear and / or area-wide, distributed power supply. Tap-off points are provided on either or just one side on the straight trunking units. For each busbar trunking system, a wide range of tap-off units is available for the connection of equipment and electricity supply.

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Siemens Energy Sector Power Engineering Guide Edition 7.0