When is busbar trunking better than cable?
For high currents in limited space, long runs with many tap-offs and layouts that change. One trunking run replaces several parallel cables per phase, and plug-in units can be relocated without new routes.
Products we supply
Busbar Trunking Systems
Copper and aluminium busbar trunking for feeders, rising mains and plug-in distribution, rated for current, fault level and future growth.
01Overview
Supply and engineering from one team
Powersense supplies busbar trunking and tap-off units and engineers the route: the rating from design current and ambient temperature, voltage drop over the run, and fault withstand checked against the network study.
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02Scope and process
Engineering scope and deliverables
- 01
Route and load survey
The feeder path, risers, floors and load centres are identified from the architectural layout and the load schedule.
DeliverableRoute drawing - 02
Rating by current and temperature
The rated current is chosen from the design current, ambient temperature and the derating data of the system.
DeliverableRating calculation - 03
Voltage drop and losses
Voltage drop over the full run is checked against the permitted limit, and the conductor material, copper or aluminium, is chosen.
DeliverableVoltage-drop sheet - 04
Fault withstand
The rated short-time current Icw and peak current Ipk are compared with the prospective fault level (IEC 60909) and the clearing time of the protection.
DeliverableFault-withstand check - 05
Tap-off units and fire barriers
Plug-in units, fire barriers, expansion units and fixings are selected, and the degree of protection is matched to the environment (IEC 60529).
DeliverableComponent schedule - 06
Installation and testing
Installation is supervised, insulation resistance and joint torque are checked, and labelling and handover documents are issued.
DeliverableTest records, as-built drawings
03Standards
International standards applied
These standards form the technical basis for design and equipment selection. The exact set is confirmed for each project against the national regulations in force.
- IEC 61439-6Busbar trunking systems: requirements and verification.
- IEC 61439-1Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies: general rules and design verification.
- IEC 60909-0Short-circuit currents in three-phase AC systems: calculation of initial, peak and breaking currents.
- IEC 60364-5-52Selection and erection of wiring systems: current-carrying capacity, installation methods and voltage drop.
- IEC 60529Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code).
- IEC 60364-4-43Protection against overcurrent: protective devices for overload and short-circuit protection of conductors.
04Products
Products we supply
- Aluminium busbar trunking
- Copper busbar trunking
- Feeder and distribution runs
- Plug-in tap-off units
- Rising mains
- Connection units to transformers and boards
05Project types
Typical project types
- High-rise and commercial buildings
- Industrial plants
- Data centres
- Malls and hospitals
- Production lines with changing layouts
- Transformer-to-board feeders
06Technical notes
Technical notes and FAQ
How is the rating chosen?
From the design current, ambient temperature and run length (voltage drop), then checked against the fault level. Copper suits compact high-current routes, and aluminium suits routes where weight and cost lead.
07Keep exploring
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Low-Voltage Switchboards & Control Panels
Low-voltage switchboards and control panels, designed and verified to IEC 61439, built and wired by Powersense with the devices supplied.
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