Comparison of performance characteristics of busbars and cables and their application in power distribution systems
2024-01-13
In the 1990s, direct cables played an important role in the transmission and distribution of low-voltage power distribution systems. However, since the 1990s, systematic research on the use of busbar ducts has been gradually introduced and developed, and it has quickly been widely used in power supply and distribution design projects. Compared with traditional power transmission technology equipment management, it has its own unique performance development potential, such as large carrying capacity, strong overload capacity, convenient tapping, good heat dissipation, and convenient maintenance.
1. Performance characteristics of ordinary bus ducts and cables
Multi-core cable is a complete cable composed of multiple insulated cores twisted and wrapped with an outer sheath. The number of insulated cores of power system cables is usually 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 cores, 4+1 and 3+2 cores. The main characteristics of cables are flexibility and adaptability to the environment, but they also have inherent limitations. The following is a performance comparison of bus ducts and cables from several main aspects.
a) Carrying capacity
The structural cross-sectional area of the low-voltage control cable with carrying capacity is 1000mm2, and the rated operating current is 1600A. Because such large cables are bulky and heavy, they are rarely used in actual projects. In general projects, cables of 400mm2 and below are commonly used, and multiple cables are needed to achieve simultaneous power supply. The rated working current efficiency of the bus duct can reach 6300A, and its strong current carrying capacity is the foundation of the cable.
b) Overload capacity
Whether it is a cable or a bus duct, its overload capacity depends on the operating temperature of the insulation material used. The working environment temperature of bus duct insulation structural materials is 105°C. We developed radiation cross-linked flame-retardant winding tape (PER) and radiation cross-linked polyhydrocarbon heat shrinkable tubes whose temperature is above 140°C during students' work. The normal operating temperature of the insulation material used for mesh cables is 90°C and 105°C, and the normal operating temperature of the irradiated cross-linked cable is 125°C. Therefore, the overload protection capability of the bus duct has a far greater impact than the overload problem capability of the cable.
C) Bus duct installation
The installation of bus duct generally adopts plug-in installation method. The so-called plug-in bus duct uses a plug-in method to branch the power supply of the main line to the branch line. There are plug-in box openings every few meters, so branching is very convenient. However, the cables require on-site splicing and have poor reliability, and even prefabricated branch cables have their shortcomings. The obvious disadvantage of branch cables is mainly that they require customized branch connection technology equipment from the enterprise factory, which can usually use open data "C" type hoops. Over time, whether this type of hoop can ensure sealing is also a question. In addition, branch cable branch heads are expensive, so prefabricated branch cables are still not widely used. When installing a branch network cable, you need to cut off the power supply on the floor. When installing the bus duct, you do not need to cut off the working power supply. You only need to remove the plug box of the bus duct under no-load conditions. But to cut off the branches of prefabricated branch cables for power supply, it is very important and dangerous to operate live equipment.
d) Fire resistance
The insulation and sheath of ordinary cables will burn out. Even flame-retardant cables will burn under an ongoing flame, and we only increase burning after the flame can leave. Fire-resistant cables will not burn but are expensive. Fire-resistant cables are only used in places where cutting off the power supply is not allowed, such as fire alarm circuit systems. The busbar casing is made of metal and will not burn. Even if the insulation material of the copper busbar burns, the flame will not threaten the outside of the busway.
e) Heat dissipation performance
The insulation layer and outer sheath of the cable are both an insulation layer and an insulating layer. Therefore, in order to maintain the heat dissipation of one cable, when the cable is laid in the cable tray, it is allowed to lay two layers. The main reason is to consider heat dissipation issues. The bus duct uses air conduction to dissipate heat through the steel shell in close contact, so its heat dissipation performance is better than that of cables.
f) Operation and maintenance
Maintenance of bus ducts is relatively simple. In the daily maintenance of the bus duct, it is usually to measure the temperature rise of the shell and core bolts, the temperature rise of the inlet box joints, etc. If the core bolts are 4.8, they need to be tightened regularly. If 8.8 high-strength bolts are used, There is no need to tighten regularly. However, due to the limitations of materials that are easy to wear, easy to age, and have short lifespan, cables need to be regularly inspected, maintained, or even replaced.
2. Installation and construction
Although installation through cable laying in the line direction can be flexible and convenient, the cable enterprises in the project are generally supported by bridges. Therefore, during the cable construction process, it is necessary to install the bridges first and then lay the cables step by step. Bus duct installation does require professional installation technology, but it can only be installed in one go according to the product standard installation procedures. In addition, the bus duct has a compact structure and takes up less space. It is easy to arrange the piping and wiring space and is easy to install and use. Of course, for small current lines below 400a, due to the small cross-sectional area of the selected cables and the small number of cables, the use of cables is flexible.
3. Power supply system
The busbar power supply system is usually a trunk line leading from the power distribution center to provide flexible power supply in a decentralized form, while the cable power supply is limited by factors such as difficulty in tapping, small carrying capacity, and difficulty in decentralized control. It is usually "point-to-point" power. Especially in the power supply control system of high-rise management buildings, bus ducts are more prominent than cable conductors. In the traditional wired power supply method, each floor needs to be laid separately, and there are a large number of cables. This technology-intensive laying method has poor heat dissipation, takes up a lot of space, makes accident inspection and learning difficult, and makes maintenance and management difficult. Bus duct power supply enterprises can use a single central bus duct system and set up a plug-in box with corresponding information capacity on each floor for effective distribution. This method makes the branching extremely flexible, and each branch has a plug-in box to protect the branching capacity. Therefore, the use of bus duct is safe, simple and reliable.
4. Economic cost
Compared with cables, bus ducts generally use better materials and relatively complex processes, so the expected investment cost is generally greater than cables. However, in the long run, more bus ducts will be used. However, the service life of bus duct is generally 30 to 40 years, while the service life of ordinary cables is only about 15 years. As long as the busway system is installed and operated according to specifications, there is no need to replace components other than a routine inspection of the surroundings. However, cable companies often experience phenomena such as aging of a joint and falling off of the insulation layer, and need to replace a certain section of the cable. In addition, many powerful bus duct manufacturers on the market have introduced aluminum conductor bus ducts, which have been widely used in large buildings. The purchase cost price of this kind of production bus duct is much lower than the price of traditional cable tray, but the performance is higher than other cables. For users who lack the funds to invest in bulk, this type of bus duct can be used.
Read More