BUS DUCT & RISING MAINS

July 27, 2020

 INDEX
Sl no. Description
1 Definition
2 Types of Busduct
3 Rising Mains
4 Signifance of Busduct over Cable
5 Busduct support system
6 Quality Assurance Plan (QAP)
7 Testing & Commissioning
8 Pre Installation Checklist
9 IR Test
10 Pre Commissioning Checklist
 Definition
• In electric power distribution, a bus duct is a sheet metal duct containing
either copper or aluminium busbars for the purpose of conducting a
substantial current of electricity.
• It is an alternative means of conducting electricity to power cables.
• It is the system of an insulated conductor that consists of conductive
buses, which are supported by insulating material that ensures the safety
and reliable operation of the device.
• superior design, rigid structure, smooth performance, high strength and
long hassle-free life
 Types of Bus Duct

a) Air Insulated Busduct

1) Segregated Phase Busduct

2) Non-segregated Phase Busduct

3) Isolated Phase Busduct

b) Sandwich type Busduct

 1) Seggregated Bus Duct:
Used in both indoor as well as outdoor settings.
 These are ensured for high-temperature test and short circuit.
Helpful in minimizing phase to phase fault and designed for degree protection.
Compliance standard : IEC62271 (1 & 200) / IS 8084 / IEEE C37.23
Voltage rating : 3.3kV to 33kV
Rated Current : 630A - 5000A
Degree of Protection : IP 55/IP 65
 2) Non Seggregated Busduct
It consist of three-phase Busbars in a common metal enclosure that give
protection for the man and the material.
Helps to reduce the chances of faults in overall electrical system.
Compliance Standard : IEC 61439 (1 & 6) /IS 8623 (1 &2)
Rated Voltage : 415V
Rated Current : 630A - 6500A
Degreee of Protection : IP 55/IP 65
 3) Isolated Phase Busduct
 Its an Isolated Phase Busbar.
 Used for transmitting huge currents between generator & transformer.
 It is known for its high-capacity and no cantilever force on insulators.
Compliance standard : IEC62271 (1 & 200) / IS 8084 /IEEE C37.23
Rated Voltage : 11kV to 38kV
Degree of Ptection : IP 55/ IP 65
 b) Sandwich type Bus duct
 Sandwich busduct is a very compact Busbar unit.
 It is the busduct with no airgap between phases & neutral.
 In sandwich busduct class-F insulation is used for Phase & Neutral
isolation.
 Sandwich busduct is suitable for the following range
Copper : 630A to 6300A
Aluminium : 400A to 5000A
 Compliance standard : IEC 61439 (1&6)
 Rated Voltage : 1000V
 Sandwich Busduct configurations are;
3Ph+Integral Ground Earth
3ph + 100% Neutral + Integral Ground Earth
3ph + 100% Neutral + 50% Internal Earth + Integral Ground Earth
3ph + 100% Neutral + 100% Internal Earth + Integral Ground Earth
3ph + 200% Neutral + Integral Ground Earth
Insulation : Class F
Degree of Protection : IP 54/55/65
These type of Busducts are used for connection between
1)Transformer to Panel
2)Panel to Panel
3)Generator to Panel
4)Rising Mains or Vertical Distribution
5)Horizontal Distribution

Application in following segments

1) Process plants, Manufacturing Industries & Industrial offices
2) Commercial, Residential & Hospital Buildings
3) Airports, Metro, Railways, Ports
4) Shopping Centre, Warehouse
5) IT Parks, Data centre, Solar farm
Sandwich Busduct
 Rising Mains
• Rising electrical mains are the central bus bar system that enters the
property, generally in high rise buildings.
• At each floor, there will be typically a Tap-off provision in rising main
to supply power to each floor.
• The rising main will run the entire height of the building.
 Significance of Busduct over Cables
Sr No. Busbar Trunking Cables
I Features:
Finishing is very good, hence adds to aesthetics of Improper laying of the cables may spoils the
1
building aesthetics of building
Multiple floor building power feeding can be done Multiple floor building power feeding has to be done
2 with single Bustrunking system with multiple cable sets. This make the complete
system cumbersome.
Power tap off can be done from the single system Not possible. Additional cables to be laid till the
3 installed.. Incase the load changes we have to just particular floor.
replace the Tap off boxes of higher rating.
II Voltage Drop :
The voltage drop of bustrunking is less as compared to The voltage drop is more in cables.
1
cables.
III Structure :
Example for 3200A(Cu) dimensions : 151(w)x340(h) Cables and its structure 700mm wide i.e., cable tray
1
and light in weight etc. is very heavy and occupies more space.
Total run is made up of multiple element which are As single length of multiple cables are installed,
2 joint together. Thus making the complete system making it maintenance nonfriendly.
maintenance friendly.
3 Easy retrofitting of the element is possible Easy retrofitting of the element is not possible
Totally enclosed, cannot be tampered. Insulation can wear off with time. Can get damaged by
4 rodents. Has to maintained on regular basis.
Sr No. Busbar Trunking Cables

IV Degree of Protection :

1 IP-54 for plug in type, IP55, 65 for feeder No protection as such

V Enclosure :

It consists of busbars in a protective enclosure, Cables are simply insulated with multiple layers of
1 including straight lengths, fittings, devices and PVC.
accessories.

2 High Short circuit strength & high fire protection Low Short circuit strength & low fire protection

VI Termination :

Direct termination through busbars The method for cable termination is very
1
cumbersome.
Termination is simple and easy. Additional supports are required to hold the cables
2 inside the panel.
Have a highly compact structure and can be bent up Cables are generally installed in bundles & with such
3 to 90 degree. a cross section that they can not be bent tightly.
Sr No. Busbar Trunking Cables
VII Time & cost consumption :
When sizing busbars the designer only needs to It is necessary to protect each cable
make calculations on a single riser which reduces individually with a fuse and when laying the
design time and costs. cables in bundles it is necessary to anchor
1 them properly so that they can withstand the
electrodynamic forces generated in the event
of a short ckt. So, the designers have to spend
more time on calculations.
VIII Use of additional items :
1 No additional supports are required. Heavy labor is required to lay the cables
No extra holes/cutouts are required. Holes to be made in the gland plate for fixing
2
cable glands
No cable tray is required, supported on ceiling / Cable tray or the digging of the trench is
3 wall. required to lay the cables
No special tools are required. Special tool are required for crimping the
4 cable lugs
Design verified switchgear assembly, limits from Limits depend on the laying method and cable
manufacturer’s catalogue accumulation. The derating factor must be
5
determined / calculated
 Bus Duct Support System
a) Horizontal Bus Duct
Horizontal busduct will be supported at every 1.5mtr interval & at 150mm of
either side at bends & offsets.
Following are the supporting accessories used as per the Busduct rating

Sr No. Rating Threaded Rod Size Slotted Angle Size

1 <1000A 8mm 35x35x5mm

2 1250A- 2000A 10mm 50x50x5mm

3 >2500A 12mm 50x50x5mm

 1. Single Tier Support Arrangement
Cut the length of the support as per the Approved drawings.
Mark the line of the BBT to be installed & drill the holes for fastener fixing
as per the approved drawing.
Fix the clamps with threaded rod & adjust the Slotted angle as per the
Bottom of the Duct (BOD).
Check for the proper alignment
Continue the installation of supports at every 1.5mtr distance
Install the Busduct on the support & couple it with adjacent Busduct piece.
Once finally aligned fix it rigidly with clamps on either side
Tighten the bolts of BBT coupling section as per the torque mentioned.
Single Tier support arrangement Busduct Fixing arrangement
Busduct Edgewise Busduct Fatwise

Busduct Edgewise (Double)

 2.Two Tier Support Arrangement
Cut the length of the support as per the Approved drawings.
Mark the line of the BBT to be installed & drill the holes for fastener fixing as per
the approved drawing.
Fix the clamps with threaded rod
Continue the installation of supports at every 1.5mtr distance
Fix the slotted angle of upper tier & align it as per the BOD.
Install the Busduct on the support & couple it with adjacent BBT piece.
Check for alignment & fix it rigidly with clamps on either side.
Tighten the bolts of BBT coupling section as per the torque mentioned.
Fix the lower tier of slotted angle & align it as per BOD.
Repeat the similar procedure for lower tier of Busduct installation.
Double Tier support arrangement Busduct Fixing arrangement
 b) Vertical Busduct support arrangement
 For Vertcal support a slotted angle
of 75X40X3.5mm is used.
 Fabricate the Primary & Secondary
supports (S1, S1', S2 & S2') as per
the dimensions in the approved
shop drawing.
 Fix the primary supports S1 & S1' to
the slab cast with fasteners as
shown in the figure.
 Fix the Secondary support across
the primary support with Bolt & nut
arrangement.
• Install the Busduct throught the
support & fix it to the Secondary
support as shown in the figure.
• Extra care to be taken while raising or
lowering the Busduct to protect from
physical damage.
• Couple the Busduct with adjacent
piece & check for alignment.
• Tighten the bolts of Busduct coupling
section as per the torque mentioned.
• Install the Tapoff box as per the
approved drawing.
Section View Isometric View
Common Support for Multiple Rising mains Rising mains Installation
Busduct Flange end for Panel Connection
Busduct Flange end for Transformer Connection
TYPICAL INSTALLATION
QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN / INSPECTION TEST PLAN
QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN / INSPECTION TEST PLAN contd..
 Testing & Commissioning
Sort circuit test on Phase & Neutral of Busduct shall be carried out in
accordance with IEC 60439-1 to the values of short circuit current
specified in the general specifications
The Busbar insulation resistance shall be tested in accordance with IEC
60439-1
The Busbar system shall also be tested to verify its Continuity, Polarity,
Earth Fault loop impedance.
Tap off unit shall be tested to verify proper & safe operation.
After energization, infrared scanning at connecting joint shall be cariied
out to check for abnormal rise in temperature at joints
Pre-Installation Checklist
IR Value Test
Pre Commissioning Checklist