Busbar trunking systems: snap’em together, switch’em on

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More and more manufacturing sites and commercial buildings are demanding busbar trunking systems rather than hard-wired electricity distribution circuits.  And I think demand would be even greater if more people knew what a busbar trunking system was. So let’s start with a definition.

So what is a busbar trunking system?

A prefabricated, factory type-tested power distribution system used primarily for transporting and protecting connected loads. One of a busbar trunking system’s prime advantages is flexibility. Current ratings range from 20A for lighting, for example, to 6300A for heavy-duty manufacturing applications.  So far, so good. But what’s their appeal? As I mentioned above – flexibility.
At a glance, here are some of the buildings that busbar trunking systems can be adapted to:

• Industrial buildings like factories, workshops, logistics centres, data centres
• Commercial complexes and buildings like malls, supermarkets, hotels
• Tertiary buildings like office blocks, schools, hospitals, sports halls, cruise ships.

What do I mean by flexibility?

The company I work for example has been approached by customers who aren’t sure exactly where loads will be located or who’ll need to change their load configurations. We delivered a system for an automaker who wanted a system that:

• Could be installed easily and quickly – snap into place!
• Would be up and running fast at the click of a switch
• Easily and quickly dismantled and reinstalled in another workshop
• Could be scaled to evolving needs
• Delivered continuous power supply.

And with our busbar trunking system we delivered all that. Because such systems are so flexible.

How flexible is flexible?

Very. I like to compare busbar trunking systems to Lego. You snap on an extra track like adding another brick. And they’re ready to go because they’re plug’n’play. They have outlets, or tap-off points, every 50 centimeters or every one, two, or three meters. All you need to do is plug in a load as needs dictate. Don’t even need to know the rating is. And you can switch off a load or add one without disconnecting the whole system – regardless whether it’s wall or ceiling mounted. Or even vertical! We call vertical systems “risers” or “rising mains”. In high-rise office blocks or residential tower blocks they power lighting and air-conditioning.
Our automaker customer needed to evolve the system as vehicle production progressed, moving from workshop to workshop. But some customers actually move to new locations. A busbar trunking system can be lifted as is and be moved to a new facility.

Are busbar trunking systems environmentally friendly?

Yes, they are. In fact, they can be a real boon to energy efficiency. For a start, there is less much less voltage drop than in hard-wired distribution. Losses are up to 40% less – a real plus in high-voltage applications especially.
And busbar trunking systems they can be reused and recycled.

I hope you industrial and commercial people out there now have a better idea what a busbar trunking system is. And how it might just suit you. If you want to know more, please send us any questions you might have.

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if you want to know more about busbars check out:

Canalis, bus bar trunking system.