In the current world, we rely on electricity to keep our houses warm, run our workstations, and provide entertainment online. Important power infrastructure is used everywhere around us to serve our expanding needs, as the average home’s current consumption has grown consistently over time.

Almost all electrical power applications require busbars, which act as an interface between the power module and its customers. Busbars have improved in effectiveness, but their function has not changed. Busbars are more crucial than ever in a world where consistent access to electrical power is more critical than ever. We’ll examine the nature of these components and how power grids employ them in this post.

What is a Busbar?

Unless you’re an electrician or are highly familiar with electrical setups, you’re unlikely to know what a busbar is or what it’s used for. In most cases, you won’t need to know either. However, it doesn’t hurt to have a good understanding of busbar electrical components and what they do.

Essentially, these devices are used to make power distribution easier, cheaper and more flexible. They conduct electrical current between different functions within the electrical assembly. They’re often made from a copper strip, which is fixed to both incoming and outgoing

Depending on the specific requirements of the electrical assembly, busbars can come in different sizes, materials and shapes. For example, while copper is the most common, some busbars may be constructed from aluminium or brass. This will affect how electricity is conducted, as well as heat dissipation.

What Are Busbars Used for?

Busbars work a bit like an electrical junction, exchanging incoming and outgoing currents. They’re typically housed within switchgear, panel boards or busway enclosures, while the bar itself is uninsulated. They safely implement three-phase power distribution solutions and are easier to use and more flexible than other solutions.

Busbars are typically used in large-scale systems where a lot of power is required. For example, in:

  • Data centres
  • Factories
  • Retail facilities
  • Laboratories
  • Hospitals

Busbars can be used to connect any type of power grid and conduct any type of electricity. This makes them suitable for a wide range of applications. They also help to promote energy efficiency and make it simpler to integrate renewable energy sources.

Different Types of Busbars

There are lots of different types of busbars, all of which are designed for specific purposes. With a greater focus on renewable electricity and saving costs, it’s vital that the right design is used, as this will help to reduce any inefficiencies in the electrical transfer process.

  • Copper busbars – The standard type of busbar is made from copper, which is highly conductive. As a result, it’s excellent for high-current applications and connecting high-voltage equipment within industrial switchgear.
  • Aluminium busbars – These busbars are lighter and cheaper, making them a great alternative to copper busbars in some situations. While they don’t conduct as well, they’re ideal for applications where weight needs to be kept to a minimum. For example, large-scale power transmission systems.
  • Flexible busbars – Most busbars are designed to be fixed and inflexible, which is unsuitable for situations which feature a lot of vibration or movement. Flexible busbars provide a good solution and are often used in heavy machinery or electric cars.
  • Insulated busbars – Instead of being completely uninsulated, these busbars are covered in a material coating such as PVC to prevent the risk of accidental contact. These are normally used in switchgear or panel boards.
  • Comb busbars – Comb busbars are a type of connecting busbar and are often used in small distribution boards. They distribute power to devices and are helpful in reducing the number of wired connections.