Recent Progresses in Bus-ducts Design

*J. Faiz, *H. Ehya, *A. M. Takbash, †S. Shojaee, †M. Hamidian and †A. Ghorbani
*Center of Excellence on Applied Electromagnetic Systems, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
†
Generator Engineering and Manufacturing Co. (Pars), Mapna Group, Tehran, Iran
E-mail: Ehya@ut.ac.ir

Abstract— Energy resources management dictates the reduction of losses in electrical equipment from energy generation and
consumption point of views. Generally, it is preferred to distribute electrical energy by bus-ducts in the place of cables over all
energy levels due to the lower losses in bus-ducts. Therefore, it is essential to have a wide knowledge about various aspects of
bus-ducts design including electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal. These are addressed in the present paper and attempt is
made to review the most important papers in the field focusing on advantages and disadvantages of the proposed techniques.

Index Terms— Bust-duct, Electromagnetic analysis, Modeling method, Thermal analysis.

I. INTRODUCTION 3. Relative humidity not exceeds 95% non condensing.

Bus-ducts have wide applications in industrial
complex and large residential buildings. Beside good
safety of these systems its most important advantages
include easy fixing, suitable maintenance and repairs [1].
Generally, bus-duct system consists of a number of
insulated copper or aluminum conductors and normally
surrounded by a earthed enclosure [2]. Due to the wide
spread of electrical equipment and importance of their
manufacturing safety, the bus-ducts are covered by
electrical insulation materials. This has a number of
advantages and the most important advantage is that the
bus-ducts containing different currents can be placed
beside each other. This can reduce the size of electrical
distribution system as well as leakage reactance of the
system which will lead to a lower voltage drop [2].
Enclosure around conductors prevents the bus-duct from
mechanical damages and dust.
The high voltage (HV) bus-ducts are used in the
following cases [3]
1. Main circuit.
2. Main transformer connection.
3. Auxiliary transformer connection.
4. Station auxiliary circuit.
5. Generator connection.
6. Excitation transformer connection.
7. Current transformer (CT) assembly structure.
8. Wall through seal and expansion joint structure.
9. Removable expansion joint structure.
10. PT-LA cabinet connection.
Bus-ducts design depends on the application type and
manufacturing company. The common feature of these
systems is the existence of copper or aluminum
conductors with aluminum or galvanized steel enclosure.
Isolated phase bus-bars (IPB) have enclosure around
different bus-bars and thus they are isolated from each
other. The enclosures around different phases are linked
at the end of the bus-ducts route. This prevents the axial
induced currents. Generally high current passes the bus-
bars, therefore bus-bars and their enclosures are chosen
cheap aluminum material [4]. On the other hand, bus-
ducts and all belonging must be able to supply electrical
energy in the following conditions [5].
1. Ambient air temperature 40 °C.
2. Maximum ambient air temperature 48 °C.
4. Ingress protection degree (acc. IEC 60529) at least
IP65.
In thermal and hydro power plants, high current buses
link generators to unit transformers. These bus bars
consist of a conductor inside an enclosure filled by the air
under atmosphere pressure. Such line has capacity to pass
10 kA at rated voltage of 36 kV in hydro power plant and
20 kA in thermal power plant. These bus-ducts have been
used since 70th decades. One of the common gases in
these systems was SF6. Recently the mixture of 95% N2
and SF6 has been used. Such power lines at voltage higher
than 245 kV and power between 2000 to 4000 MVA,
have the most advantages [6]. Transmission gas insulated
lines (GIL) as an economical method for large power
transmission over short and long paths have been
proposed. These lines can be used on the ground, buried
under ground and in the rail way tunnels. When these
systems are used underground a steel cover is included
[6]. In a bus-duct system, different phases can have
separate enclosure and this system is called non-
segregated three phase bus-duct. In this case, different
bus-ducts may be replace in an enclosure by separators
and they are called segregated three phase bus-duct [6].
To justify the advantages of bus-ducts application over
cables, these two systems for a 420 kV transmission GIL
and cable are compared in Table 1 [6]. OHL in this table
is the conventional overhead line.
GIL system advantages include low losses, low
capacitive load, electrical and thermal ageing, low impact
on the environment and high reliability [7]. Cross sections
of bus-ducts conductors can be circular, rectangular (flat),
hollow octagon and U shape. Fig. 1 shows the view of
such system [8].
Fig. 1. Graphical view of segregated three phase bus-duct with
rectangular conductor [8].
 TABLE 1. COMPARISON OF LOSSES IN GIL AND CABLE [6]
OHL GIL
Transmission power 2000 MW 2000 MW
Lowers per system-meter 820 W/m 180 W/m
Losses of 100 system-km 82 MW 18 MW
Difference between GIL and OHL 64 MW
Difference in cost of losses/year 27520000 ¢
Investment GIL (100 km) 300000000 ¢

In this paper, different works on various bus-based

electric power transmission systems are reviewed.
Generally, these are done in three categories including
systems modeling method, heat transfer in these systems,
short circuit and electromagnetic force. It is tried to give
the geometrical and materials specifications in order to
Fig. 2. Lumped parameter circuit of multi-conductor bus system in
specify the analyzed system well.
current supply case [9].

II. BUS-DUCT MODELING METHODS

Two general approaches are proposed in modeling bus

systems such as bus-ducts. The first approach is analytical
methods based on mathematical equations and second
approach is numerical methods. Some references have
been devoted to comparison of these two methods and
their efficiencies.
In [9], analytical and numerical methods in modeling a
bus system have been compared. At this end, analytical Fig. 3. Cross section of proposed bus system [9].
equations for a system with arbitrary number of
conductors has been obtained based on a current supply
and/or voltage supply bus system, and then the proposed
system has been modeled considering the supply type.
The mentioned method has been used to exam the
industrial bus system problems. In this modeling method,
each conductor is divided into thinner conductors and any
conductor is taken equivalent with a wire. Cross section
of these wires has significant impact on the accuracy of
the method. To achieve precise results using this method,
the cross section of the wires must not exceed the defined
skin depth. Fig. 2 shows the lumped parameter circuit of
the system for two current and voltage supply cases. In
this modeling system, each branch indicates one of the
wires and inductance between any two-wires is modeled
using a voltage-dependent source. Fig. 3 shows the Fig. 4. Current density along line l1 [9].
proposed bus system cross section. In this circuit, a set of
currents satisfying the Kirchhoff „s current law is applied
to branches considering the supply type.
According to Fig. 4, current density in the conductors
is not constant due to the skin and proximity effects. Fig.
5 shows the force exerted on the conductors in the
proposed bus system. Referring to the structure shown in
Fig. 3, only there is a force along horizontal direction. In
addition to Fig. 3, Fig. 4 presents the current density
along line l1 using the analytical magnetic circuit (MC)
and finite elements (FE) methods [9]. Other structures of
bus systems have been also analyzed in [9] and their
impacts upon system behavior have been considered by a
factor defined as geometry factor versus electromagnetic
force exerted on the conductors. Advantage of this
analytical method is its simplicity and capability to extend Fig. 5. Force exerted on conductors in proposed bus system [9].
to different bus systems. Various parameters are
considered to improve analytical modeling method. For electromagnetic coupling between conductors and
example, in [10] skin effect and proximity effect have enclosure in two high current bus-ducts having identical
been taken into account. In addition, cross section has been considered [10].

Fig. 6. Equivalent circuit of a high current three-phase bus-duct with
earthed enclosure [6].
Equivalent circuit (EC) is one of the analytical
modeling methods of electrical devices. In [6], the EC for
a three-phase bus-duct has been introduced. In this case it
is assumed that the enclosure around conductors of bus-
duct is earthed and then the impact of the return current
on the induced magnetic fields in the enclosure is
investigated. Fig. 6 shows this EC. Ie1, Ie2 and Ie3 are
return currents and their amplitudes depend on many
factors such as the impedance of return phase current
path, the related phase current and transmission line
parameters, particularly the mutual inductance between
the conductors and enclosures. In Fig. 6, mutual
inductances between phase 2 and 3 have been eliminated
and Zg is the earth inductance. Since enclosures may be
connected directly or through the earth, the return current
path and its related phase current are not identical and
consequently unique impedance cannot be introduced for
phase system.
To study the magnetic field of circular cross section of
high current bus-ducts, an analytical model considering
geometric mean distance (GMD) has been introduced in
[10]. In this model skin effect, proximity effect, mutual
impacts of conductors and enclosure have been taken into
account in order to enhance the accuracy of the model.
This model also is used in GIL systems. The most
important problem in an analytical modeling method of
bus-duct is determining correct current distribution in the
system. The accuracy of remaining parameters and
elements of the model depend on the current distribution.
This method is based on filament method. In this method,
each conductor is divided into a set of smaller wires [10].
There are the following assumptions in this method:
• Current passes along filaments.
• Electrical resistance and magnetic permeability are
identical along filaments.
• All filaments are in series and this is the base for skin
effect.
In [11], ac and dc magnetic fields due to a three-phase
bus- duct system (Fig. 7) are estimated in order to model
an
Fig. 7. Structure of proposed three-phase bus-duct system [11]
(a)
(9)
Fig. 8. Magnetic field distribution due to dc current: (a) open conductor
and (b) conductor with fence [11].
optical transformer. Fig. 8 shows the magnetic field
distribution due to dc current in open conductor and
conductor with fence. In this case ‒424 A dc current pass
through two lateral buses and 848 A pass middle
conductor. As shown in Fig. 8, in the 1st case the center of
the magnetic loops in two lateral buses is displaced from
the bus center due to the current passing the middle
conductor where there is an enclosure around each bus
and centre of magnetic field loops coincide with bus
centre. Magnetic field components for different types of
dc and ac supplies in a bus system having two conductors
with enclosure and with no enclosure close to the buses
has been investigated in [11].
Impact of particles and metal contents in the gas
isolated bus-ducts upon the efficiency of these bus-ducts
has been examined in [12]. Around 20% of the reported
faults in this type of bus-ducts cause by metal particles.
Impact of metal particles dimensions on their movements
in different electrical fields in the bus-ducts has been
investigated. The thinner particles more likely lead to
electrical discharge, Also Aluminum particles are more
than copper particles under influence of voltage level.
III. THERMAL ANALYSIS
Some references inspect the losses, thermal analysis
and temperature of bus-ducts. Ohmic losses in bus-ducts
are important from some aspects. First, Ohmic losses due
to passing current from different conductors in various
operating conditions must be considered. Second aspect
in losses discussion is related to eddy current in the
enclosure around the bus-duct. Magnetic field generated
by bus-duct conductors current induces eddy currents in
the enclosure around the bus-duct; these eddy currents
cause Ohmic losses in the bus-duct enclosure cover.
Importance of Ohmic losses in heat exchange and
temperatures in different parts of bus-ducts are very clear.
In [1], heat exchange in bus-duct has been examined. In
addition to the mechanical and physical protection role of
the external enclosure, it also plays an important role in
the heat exchange. These losses have been estimated
using FEM in a bus-duct where cross section (Fig. 9),
specifications, material properties and heat transfer
coefficient have been given in Table 2 [1].
Fig. 10 presents the eddy current losses density in
upper layer and right side of bus-duct metal enclosure
versus the spatial position. As shown in Fig. 10, losses
density due to the eddy current in the upper layer of bus- (a)
duct enclosure is y direction, and middle axis of upper
layer is minimum. The reason is that considering the
symmetry between phases, induced eddy current in this
region is lower and consequently the Ohmic losses is
smaller; while the eddy current losses in the lateral sheets
close to the buses is maximal. Fig. 11 shows the
temperature distribution in the bus-duct cross section.

(b)
Fig. 9. Cross section of proposed bus-duct [11]. Fig. 10. Eddy current losses density versus position in: (a) upper layer
and (b) right side of bus-duct layer [1].
Temperature of the outer bus is only 0.5 degree lower
than that of the middle bus. The reason is that heat Mutual heat impacts of two adjacent buses have been
exchange close to the heat exchange surface is better and examined in [10]. Two bus-duct systems in the output of a
it has lower temperature. Fig. 12 shows the temperature medium voltage and very high current generator can have
profile along y-axis for different types of insulations with mutual impacts on the heat exchange. In addition,
different heat conduction. In Fig. 12, k is the heat transfer magnetic field due to a bus-duct can have negative
coefficient. As expected using insulations with higher impacts on the efficiency of adjacent bus-duct. The first
heat conduction results in lower temperature of bus. In step in such analysis is examining the current distribution
addition, there is a good agreement between the test and in the conductors and inspecting the impacts of the
predicted results. conductors‟ current on the bus-duct enclosure [9].
Heat exchange in air-isolated high current bus-ducts
TABLE 2. DIMENSIONS, PROPERTIES AND HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS has been considered in [13] in which coupling of a 2D
OF MODELED BUS-DUCT [1].
magnetic model has been utilized using two ANSYS-
Dimensions
Bus-bars size (mm) 6×280
Emag and ANSYS-FLOTRAN softwares. In addition, three
Insulation thickness (mm) 0.25 types of three-phase bus-ducts consisting of insulated
Steel thickness (mm) 1.50 three-phase bus-duct, no segregated three-phase bus-duct
Current rating (A) 3000 and segregated three-phase bus-duct have been
Impedance at 60 Hz (μΩm-1) 16.7+j6.45 investigated.
Properties Fig. 13 shows a schematic insulated three-phase bus-
Thermal Electrical Electrical
conductivity conductivity permeability duct. Simulations and tests have been carried out at rated
(W ᵒC-1 m-1) (Sm-1) (μr) current of 8.4 kA, frequency 50 Hz and environment
Bus-bar 386 5.8×107 1 temperature of 16 °C. Fig. 14 shows the thermal analysis
Insulation 0.15 0 1 of the insulated three-phase bus-duct. As shown in Fig. 14
Bottom surface 16.286 1.03×107 200 in such bus-duct systems, mutual impacts between phases
Side surface 0.52 0 1
Heat Transfer coefficients
from electromagnetic and thermal point of views are
Heat transfer coefficients (Wm-2ᵒC-1) minimal because of insulated enclosure. Losses density as
Top surface 3.2363 output of the electromagnetic analysis is the input of
Bottom surface 6.00174 thermal analysis. Fig. 15 shows 2D heat distribution in an
Side surface 4.5003 insulated three-phase bus-duct.
 Fig. 13. Schematic of insulated three-phase bus-duct [13].

Fig. 11. Temperature distribution in bus-duct cross section [1].

Fig. 14. Thermal analysis of an insulated three-phase bus-duct [13].

Fig. 12. Temperature distribution along y axis for different types of

insulations with different heat transfer conduction [1].

Table 3 summarizes heat losses of different parts of the

above-mentioned bus-ducts based on 2D and 3D analysis.
Fig. 16 shows the thermal analysis of non-isolated bus-
duct.
Parameters of two types of high current flat and
symmetrical bus-ducts have been analytically estimated
considering skin effect [6]. In three-phase flat bus-duct,
each phase is placed in an insulated enclosure and it is Fig. 15. Heat distribution of an insulated three-phase bus-duct [13].
used in high voltage or very high voltage. Fig. 17 presents
eddy current due to conductor itself and adjacent cross section is clear in Fig. 17; as shown the current
conductors in the conductor enclosure. Since the cross tends to pass from conductor surface. Fig. 19 presents the
section in such transmission lines is large, the skin effect effective induced current in the lower and lateral surfaces
must be included in calculation process. of the bus-duct enclosure. Current in the lower surface of
Tables 4 and 5 summarize the estimated values for two the enclosure is very asymmetrical and the highest current
above-mentioned type of bus-ducts. is generated close to the phase conductor. Such current is
Considering high current and medium voltage in the also induced in the upper surface of bus-duct enclosure.
generator output to transformer input, a bus-duct with low There is the similar situation in the lateral surface. Table
Ohmic losses is used. In this case, the solution key for 85 presents the current in different parts of bus-duct and
Ohmic losses estimation is the conductors current and its Ohmic losses.
induced current in the enclosure around bus-duct [11].
Fig. 18 shows the current density in the cross section of
the first phase of a bus-duct. The skin effect in the phase
 TABLE 3. HEAT LOSSES OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF BUS-DUCTS BASED ON TABLE 4. IMPEDANCES, SELF- AND MUTUAL-INDUCTANCES IN A (a)
2D AND 3D ANALYSIS [13]. THREE-PHASE FLAT BUS-DUCT AND (b) SYMMETRICAL THREE-PHASE
Power losses/unit length (W/m) 2D 3D BUS-DUCT [6].
Right phase conductor 199 215
Middle phase conductor 199 211
Left phase conductor 199 222
Right phase enclosure 229 218
Middle phase enclosure 251 258
Left phase enclosure 222 237
Sum of Joule losses in enclosures 702 713
Total sum of Joule losses 1298 1361

(a)

(a)

(b)

Thermal model of an air insulated high voltage bus

system has been introduced in [14]. Also heat exchange
coefficients in the boundary regions have been estimated
analytically. Fig. 20a shows a bus system and its eddy
current. Fig. 20b presents the heat exchange of such
system. Heat exchange in this case is both displacing and
radiating types. The power losses (heat) and estimated
exchange coefficient have been given in Table 6.
According to Table 6, losses in the conductors are higher
than that of the enclosure of bus system/ Table 6
summarizes the measured analytically estimated and
(b) numerically (FEM) estimated temperature of different
Fig. 16. Thermal analysis of non-isolated bus-duct [13].
parts of the system. As shown in Table 6, losses in
conductors are higher than that of bus system enclosure.
Table 7 shows the estimated (analytically and
numerically) and measured temperature of different parts
of the system. According to Table 7, the results using
three methods are agreed well. It is also seen that the
temperature in an enclosure of bus system is lower than
that of conductors of heat exchange. Eddy current,
(a) magnetic field and heat losses have been considered in
[15] using 3D-FEM. This analysis has been done in an

(b)

Fig. 17. Eddy current in conductor enclosure due to magnetic field due Fig. 18. Current density in cross section of first phase of a bus-duct [8].
to: (a) conductor itself and (b) adjacent conductor [6].
 TABLE 5. CURRENT IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF BUS-DUCT AND ITS OHMIC
LOSSES [8].
Value Current (A) Power losses (W/m)
Phase L1 4603.26<-1.3ᵒ 293.23
Phase L2 4604.39<-238.7ᵒ 293.34
Phase L3 4603.45<-118.7ᵒ 292.82
__.Shield 8.62<-22.6 287.97____
Shield part___________________________________
Bottom side 97.92<-32.4ᵒ
Top side 97.92<-32.4ᵒ
Left-most side 1038.38<180.4ᵒ
Right-most side 1120.90<-59.3ᵒ
Left separation partition 989.20<130.9ᵒ
Right separation partition 1009.73<18.8 .

TABLE 6. MEASURED, ANALYTICALLY ESTIMATED AND NUMERICALLY

(FEM) ESTIMATED TEMPERATURE OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF SYSTEM [14].
(a) Temperature Measurement Analytic Cal. Coupled FEM
(°C)
Conductor 42.6 43.75 41.44
Tank 20.3 24.31 21.82

Impact of different structures of buses shearing using

analytical and FE methods has been addressed. Fig. 20
shows two horizontal and vertical structures. Table 8
summarizes the impacts of system structure type, bus
system geometry and tank sheet material upon the losses.
These losses have been estimated in a 500 A and 60 Hz
three-phase bus. According to Table 8, a loss in the
horizontal structure is higher than that of vertical
structure. The reason is in the horizontal structure,
conductors of the bus is closer to the tank and
(b)
consequently more intensive magnetic field is induced in
Fig. 19. Effective induced current in: (a) lower face and (b) lateral of the tank body leading to higher eddy current. In addition,
bus-duct enclosure [8]. losses reduce in copper tank due to a lower electrical
conductivity of copper compared to other materials.

(a)

(a)

(b)
Fig. 20. (a) A bus system and its eddy currents and (b) heat exchange of
system [14].

insulated 20 kV, 12.5 kA three-phase bus system and the

results have been compared with the test results. Fig. 21
shows magnetic flux distribution in conductors and (b)
enclosures at peak current of phase B. Fig. 21. Magnetic flux distribution in: (a) conductors and (b) enclosures
at peak current of phase B [15].
Additional losses due to the buses carrying high current
in the transformer tank have been discussed in [16].
 TABLE 8. ESTIMATED LOSSES IN BUSES WITH DIFFERENT STRUCTURES
AND ENCLOSURE MATERIAL [17].

(a)

(b)
Fig. 22. Two horizontal (a) and vertical (b) structures of buses [17].

Fig. 24. Time change of temperature of ACSR 490/65 mm 2 conductor

with I=895 A, v=0.6 m/s and with considered solar radiation.

(a) Free convection situations

(b) Forced convection situations

Fig. 23. Surface areas used with Nusselt number correlations

T (t )  T1 t
 1 e  (1)
T2  T1

In [10], thermal capacity of buses in steady-state and

transient modes has been addressed using different
models (Fig. 23). Estimated results using Eqn. (1) are
well agreed with the test results. The results are valid only
for step change. Fig. 24 presents the simulation results
using analytical equations and test results. Also in [18], a Fig. 25. Measured and predicted temperatures for concave up angular
simple method has been introduced using algebraic bus.
equations instead of partial differential equations which
studied thermal analysis in non-steady case. Results of measured data (Fig. 26). One of the advantages of this
this modeling method have been compared with the method is considering the magneto-dynamic coupled with
measured values in Fig. 25 confirming the model. electrical circuit equations.
In [19], thermal analysis of bus with industrial loads
IV. ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCES IN BUS-DUCT
has been done using magneto thermal method by applying
analytical magneto-dynamic method. The results obtained Force is exerted on the current carrying conductor in
by this method are in good agreement with the industrial the magnetic field. This force is a deterministic factor in
data as such that the minimum and maximum the electrical equipment design. These forces in bus-duct
temperatures in the analytical method are very close to the
have been considered in normal conditions and TABLE 10. IMPACT OF DIFFERENT MESH DETERMINING METHODS ON
VALUES OBTAINED BY FE MODELING [21].
particularly in short circuit fault. Oscillations and noises
Initial No. Total Nodes Fma,FEM Fmb,FEM Fmc,FEM
in a bus bar system are very important problems which mesh of CPU (Nm/m) (Nm/m) (Nm/m)
play important role in the design of these devices. In [20], type Itera- time
existing noises in normal conditions of LV and high tion (s)
current buses is addressed by 3D-FEM. Fig. 27 presents LIG 4 289 7037 9.2019 9.8689 9.1768
external and internal model of the modeled system. Graded 7 329 7493 9.0915 9.8868 9.2587
According to Table 9, amplitude of the CDT 8 638 8595 9.1953 9.8902 9.2136
electromagnetic force exerted to different parts depends
directly on the system current amplitude. In addition a
proper analysis on the noise and acoustic oscillations on
bus-duct have been done in [20].
Short circuit fault is dangerous and it must be
investigated in bus-ducts particularly in indoor sites with
short distances buses [21]. In [21], short circuit
electromagnetic forces in a three-phase bus system have
been estimated by FEM. In this estimation, a steady
sinusoidal current with the amplitude equal to the short
circuit current is done [20]. To determine meshes in FE
analysis, different methods including neural network has
been applied and impact of different meshes determining (a)
methods upon FE modeling is investigated. Table 13
shows a typical comparison.
In [22], a 3D non-linear model has been introduced for
electromagnetic forces analysis due to short circuit in a
three-phase gas insulated bus system. In this modeling.
skin effects and non-linear relative permeance of
materials have been considered.
In [17, 20], electromagnetic analysis due to buses short
circuit has been carried out. In [16], the mentioned force
with eddy current and magnetic field distribution have
been analyzed using FEM in insulated phase bus (IPB)
and then a point having the highest impact from
Fig. 27. Modeled system: (a) external model and (b) internal model
TABLE 9. PRESENTS THE VARIATIONS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE IN [20].
DIFFERENT PARTS WITH DIFFERENT CURRENTS.
Current Left Right Upper Lower Max. on
(A) plates plates plates plates bus-bar
(×10-1N) (×10-1N) (×10-2N) (×10-2N) (N)
1000 0.058 0.090 0.046 0.028 0.005
0.019 0.029 0.056 0.021
2000 0.232 0.361 0.184 0.045 0.018
0.077 0.115 0.224 0.084
3500 0.709 1.104 0.564 0.347 0.056
0.235 0.352 0.686 0.252
4000 0.926 1.442 0.216 0..528 0.073
0.307 0.461 0.801 0.336 Fig. 28. Cross section of a typical IPB [17].

electromagnetic force caused by short circuit has been

determined. Fig. 28 shows IPB cross section. Fig. 29
shows the magnetic flux lines and flux density in IPB
cross section. When short circuit occurs, magnetic flux
density increases. In addition in Fig. 29 the impact of bus-
duct enclosure, which has no considerable effect on the
internal magnetic field, upon the environment, is
observed. As expected, short circuit causes the increase of
the magnetic field density particularly around bus-duct
conductor. Fig. 30 presents the induced eddy current in
bus-duct enclosure during the short circuit fault [16].The
phase induced current in the enclosure has phase
difference with the current passing the conductor due to
the inductance of the enclosure. Also amplitude of this
Fig. 26. Temperature comparison in RSTNNNTSR connection.
current is lower than that of current passing the
corresponding phase conductors. Fig. 31 presents the
force exerted on the conductors at the time of short circuit
fault [16].
Electromagnetic force exerted on the conductor and
bus-duct enclosure is identical. Frequency of oscillations
of the electromagnetic force is equal to the supply current
frequency (50 Hz). After approaching this force to its
peak value it damps in 1 s. Damping time differs for
different phases. Fig 32 shows the electromagnetic force
method has been introduced to examine the operating
conditions of a bus with several conductors in ac. This
method is based on the lumped parameters method
assuming linear magnetic material. Table 11 summarizes
the bus short circuit currents.
Asymmetrical current distribution in short circuit time
applies large short circuit force [24]. In [15], magnetic
forces in bus bars with low current used indoor has been
studied. The obtained forces using FEM has been
compared with DIN VDE 0103 and IEC 865 standards
and larger than 50% difference has been observed. The
reason for this difference is neglecting the proximity
effect in the standard results.

(a)

(b)
Fig. 29. (a) Magnetic flux lines and (b) flux density in IPB cross section
[16].

Fig. 31. Force exerted on conductors at time of short circuit fault [16].

Fig. 30. Induced eddy current in bus-duct enclosure during short circuit
fault [16] Fig. 32. Electromagnetic force in middle phase conductor at two phase
angles of current [16].
in the middle phase conductor at two phase angles of
current [16]. As shown in Fig. 32, amplitude of the
electromagnetic force varies by variations of the current
phase angle, but these variations has no influence on the
force amplitude. Fig. 33 shows the electromagnetic force
at the time of short circuit fault in the enclosure with two
different materials [22]. As shown in Fig. 33, the
maximum force for two materials is almost the same. In
the steel, this force reaches its peak earlier and damps
quicker and therefore it applies less stress on the supports.
Application of aluminum enclosure makes it possible to
break the circuit by protection devices before the Fig. 33. Electromagnetic force at time of short circuit fault in enclosure
maximum force reaches [16]. Impact of distance between with two different materials [16].
phases on the electromagnetic force due to short circuit TABLE 11. SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT FOR DIFFERENT CONDUCTORS IN
fault is shown in Fig. 34 [23]. DIFFERENT BUS SYSTEMS [24].
Increasing distance between the phases has influence Ph.no. R1 S1 T1 R2 S2 T2 R3 S3 T3
3 33.1 41 42.5 42.2 43.1 42.4 42 45.3 33.6
on the volume and affects seriously the electromagnetic 3 &N 29.8 40 43 42.3 42.7 42.8 42.2 43.3 41.6
force as such that the force decreases largely, but at the 3& 32.9 39.5 42.6 42.4 42.8 42.6 42.2 44.4 36.9
time fault occurring it has no impact on the maximum PE
3& 33.3 39.2 42.8 42.4 42.6 42.8 42.4 43.2 41.4
force. Effect of the enclosure material on the short circuit N, PE
force has been shown in Fig. 35. As shown in Fig. 35, 2- RS 32.8 36.6 2.8 37.6 36.1 2.8 37.6 35.3 5.6
aluminum alloy having larger resistivity leads to lower 2-RT 25 2.4 37.1 36.7 0.2 37.1 36.7 2.5 24.1
2-ST 35 35 37.8 2.7 35.9 37.9 2.7 36.8 32
amplitude of the electromagnetic force [23]. In [21], a

Fig. 34. Impact of distance between phases on electromagnetic force
due to short circuit fault [23].
Fig. 35. Effect of enclosure material on short circuit force [23].
IV. CONCLUSION
This paper reviewed different types of bus-ducts from
used materials, voltage level and insulation types point of
views. Bus-duct modeling methods were proposed and
their resultant signals were investigated. Bus-duct design
must be based on electromagnetic, thermal and
mechanical considerations and all dominant factors upon
these analyses were introduced in the paper.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to thank Mapna Company in Iran for
financial support of the bus-duct design project.
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