Al Versus Cu Bus Bars

The selection of aluminium vs/ copper bus bar depends on application for length/ cross section / short circuit level .

* Both metal needs to have the surface coated to prevent corrosion.

* The copper conductivity is batter than of Aluminium.

* The weight wise aluminium amp capacity is batter than of copper.

Some disadvantage of aluminium busbars were found as :-

* Aluminium instantly forms an insulating aluminum oxide coating on contact
with air.

* Al. is very soft, and cold flows under pressure like lead. A
connection that is tight today will automatically loosen over time.

* Al generates a higher electromotive potential when put against
most other metals. If it gets wet, this higher voltage leads to
high corrosion rates (the alumunum usually corrodes away).

* Aluminum is hard to solder, braze, or weld; making it harder to
make good connections of these types.

* The cost wise aluminium is lower than of copper.

nascon

Thank you very much for your valuable support. Hope you will help me to find out following details as well.

It is suitable to use Al in coastal areas? & what are the possible Al bus bar applications?,

Who the Al bus bar suppliers / manufactures in India?

If you spell out the application, it can be in propor line to dicuss upon.

The costal means r u talking @jetty or port back up yard ?

The bus duct available in compact sandwitch type for SPN/TPN for 3 phase 3 wire OR 3 phase 4 wire system with alu7minum conductor up 70 KA fault level.

nascon

Nascon sized it up well. Establish a working relationship with a regional

electrical supplier. Ask for thier help in the selection of equipment

for the job. Give them the order and they will help you for life.

James

Thnaks James,

This is only a part of social service, the knowledge has earned from the society and wish to share with society.

I am honored to share the views with society.

Thanks

nascon

The optimum material selection will depend on your requirements. You have been given about all the information you need. I would only add that in high power military mobile applications, weight is important and aluminum must be used in spite of the additional complexities involved. If you don't mind spending more money and can afford the additional weight, copper (sometimes silver plated) is the simpler and more reliable solution.

Aluminum is cheaper.

James

Nascon has explained the differences very well. If you want to have the advantages of both materials you can take ALUCOBOND. These are busbars made of an aluminium core and plated with a thick copper surface. The materials are bonded together by putting the aluminium core into a copper tube which is suppressed by extremely high pressure. The surface is like copper, providing good skin effekt behavior.
Regards Uwe

Some more information about difference from Cu and Al we have to care when we calculate to choose busbars or conductor wire.

• Resistance
  

σ_CU= 16.78x10^-9 Ωm

σ_AL= 26.50x10^-9 Ωm

• Increase heat

Q_CU= (16.78x10^-9 Ωm x I_N)/ Section J/m

Q_AL= (26.50x10^-9 Ωm x I_N)/ Section J/m

• Expansion

Cu = 17x10^-6 (⁰C)

AL = 23.5x10^-6 (⁰C)

ANT Engineering Co.,LTD

VTH

Wow. I enjoy these discussions to wind down after a days work.

You send me back to school. Very good.

James

Has anyone successfully salvaged a busway that got wet while not electrically charged?

What kind of insulation you have? is it mylar or epoxy?

Would you communicate with me on my e-mail; medhat.rizk@electric-house.com

Medhat Rizk

Technical support manager

Mobile; 00966 50 666 9 606 ( Jeddah - KSA )