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Anonymous Poster

Aluminium lug to Copper bus bar connection

05/09/2009 8:29 AM

Dear colleagues,

At site, most of the cables that we use are Aluminium, XLPE. The lugs used for termination are also Aluminium. But the switchgear (power control centre) bus bars are made of copper. I think that bimetallic strip is required at either the lug or the switchgear terminal point. But neither seem to have bimettalic strip. Has this problem been encountered anywhere before? If yes, kindly let me know the solution.

regards,

prashanth

India

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Guru
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Join Date: Feb 2009
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#1

Re: Aluminium lug to Copper bus bar connection

05/09/2009 8:43 AM

I don't know about the rest of the world, but here in New York we are required to use 'Noalox' or the equivilent between Al and Cu connections. It's an impregnated grease that you can use under the lug to prevent arcing betweeen the different metals.

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Associate

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Aluminium lug to Copper bus bar connection

05/09/2009 8:50 AM

Thank you for the comments. We will try it out.

Regards,

prashanth

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Member

Join Date: Mar 2009
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#3

Re: Aluminium lug to Copper bus bar connection

05/09/2009 9:52 AM

hi yaar, a paste is available in the market which can solve ur prob. all you need to do is apply the paste in such a way that it remains at the contact point of two diffrent metal. byee

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#4

Re: Aluminium lug to Copper bus bar connection

05/09/2009 5:46 PM

i agree with you : i might consider changing the al to cu connection to the end of the cable.. thus making the bus bar connection similar metal.. moving ANY chance of failure to an easier access point to repair or replace.. much rather replace the connector than replace the bus bar

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Guru

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#5

Re: Aluminium lug to Copper bus bar connection

05/10/2009 12:03 AM

An anti-oxidant and anti-seizing compound improves efficiency and service life of aluminum electrical applications. It typically has suspended zinc particles that penetrate and cut oxidation of aluminum and provides additional inner-strand and inner-conductor current paths for improved conductivity and cooler connections in cable splices. The carrier material excludes air and moisture to prevent further oxidation and electrolysis of the metal contact points.

It is for use with all types of pressure-type wire connectors including screw-on, tap, service entrance and split-bolt. It reduces galling and seizing on aluminum conduit joints and promotes good ground continuity.

Arcing is a different issue - loose connection.

In aircraft power systems weight reduction and copper costs pushed for use of lighter larger gauge aluminum cable for the runs and spliced them to the original design copper cable and connectors. Intalling the splices and applying their messy sealants and thermoplastic tubing with thermoplastic adhesive inside, etc ,etc, was a critical multi-step process. A molecule couldnt get in after that.

Jon

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#6
In reply to #5

Re: Aluminium lug to Copper bus bar connection

05/10/2009 3:11 AM

the always friendly prc - 1422 series ?... a little heat shrink ..?; good to go?

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Guru

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Aluminium lug to Copper bus bar connection

05/10/2009 3:42 AM

PRC - 1422 Nope, Thats for fuel tanks.

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