Busbar Tap Off

Depends on your voltage, the loads and how they operate effecting instantaneous current draw through the breaker and busbars. Doesn't look promising.

No!

Much more information is needed.

UL rating considerations, not to mention numerous code requirements.

I'd never suggest anything else to an anonymous poster!

No!

Only by receiving more information immediately, Bwana.

Why don't you ring the original panel builder immediately and find out immediately?

Yes it is possible. It might not be advisable. It might violate your local codes. It might damage your equipment or kill someone, but with so little information, we don't have a snowballocks chance in ellhay of knowing.

You need to supply muuuuuuch more information, preferably immediately as we may very well be holding up your site commissioning with our vague guesses to the limited information available. Currently the answer is NO, but could potentially be upgraded to possibly (with many conditions) if more information is supplied.

We're assuming you have checked your existing breaker curve(s) against your new load profile.

More information please.

Possible? Yes

Good idea? Maybe not.

Adding any bus to an existing bus requires absolute knowledge of the bus loading, the amount of de-rating to the bus that can be applied based on the type(s) of load(s), if the bus was/is designed to accept an expansion bus, and whether the Original Equipment Manufacturer will approve of the expansion.

You must do a detailed power study on the switchgear/equipment before even considering the expansion.

If you are unsure of how to perform the study, it is imperative you find someone that is competent to perform the study either in-house or from outside your company.

Once the power study is complete you will have a much better understanding of what is possible then you need to contact the OEM and follow all of their recommendations to the letter.

Failure to follow all of the required/recommended steps will result in bus damage, equipment damage, and/or injury or death to personnel in the immediate vicinity.

Be safe and good luck.

Thanks, I now have visions of the guy asking if it's ok to drill and tap his fully insulated bus bar system to create the tap off.

You're welcome!

It really does not matter if the bus is fully insulated or not as long as the correct procedures are followed in accordance with all OEM recommendations and all of the required bus parts including insulation are purchased/fabricated.

Nothing new here as this procedure is common throughout industry especially during site electrical upgrades and process improvement projects.

I have executed this procedure many times on insulated and non-insulated MCC and MV Switchgear bus with either an on-site OEM representative in control or by my supervising in-house technicians with the written guidance of the OEM.

However; I would never attempt doing it with without gathering all of the required DATA, purchasing the correct required parts, and obtaining written OEM permission with a detailed instruction set.

My favorite tap off.

The immediate answer is: No!

If he did, looks like he's got a Darwin Award coming, hope the awards committe has his address, or rather the address of his next-of-kin.

Dollars to donuts, it's 415 volts, but it would be better to have it actually stated.

What is the largest motor to be started, and what loads are concurrent at the time?

Depends on voltage,for one factor.

13,200 volts 3 phase at 1000 amps can be divided many ways by adding a switch

and appropriate breakers.

I have seen 13200 dividied across up to 20 switches,each feeding a department in a large manufacturing plant.

The next step down from there is usually 7200volts,then 4160,volts,then either 600v,480v,etc.

You phrasing of the question indicates that you have a very limited knowledge of

electrical systems.

For the safety and welfare of all concerned,please refer this job to a qualified and

experienced engineer of contractor.

IMMEDIATELY!

Your company and next of kin will have a lot less grief if you do.

contact manufacturer

This could be possible if its possible to size for the diversified load after applying diversity factor. local regulations should mention something about this.

Where the load is located,near bottom,top or middle of the run. If near bottom, if you can't connect tap off, connect the load to MSB. If near top, fix an adaptor & CB at top.In between if there a tapoff with extra capacity connect to it. You should give details of all tap-offs,locations & new one for a good answer.

Anything is possible. Whether or not it is both wise and safe is quite another matter, however, that feature does not appear in the question.

The application is all. In order to determine the correct way forward, a good option is to hire a qualified Electrical Engineer locally to carry out the detailed design requirements. That way, instead of using an anonymous forum and having no come-back when something goes wrong, at lease there is some measure of warranty and accountability.

Good luck with the project.

<unsubscribes>

[ begin Rod Serling Voice ]

You are traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of Snark and Satire, but of Sarcasm. A journey to a wondrous land who boundaries are that of Contempt. Your next stop, the Anonymous Question Zone.

[ end Rod Serling Voice ]

Seriously, why do we get people like this showing up? I understand they're in WAY over their head, and they don't want their boss to realize their lack of skills and knowledge, but these short posts, with the core question only, none of the ancillary information that would allow for an intelligent answer, only make me afraid of the countries that would allow such people to stay in these positions.

By advice to AP#1 is as follows:

You are playing with things beyond your comprehension. If you make a mistake, people, possibly many people, will DIE! Resign from the project and find a job better suited to your real skills. You will save lives by leaving that project and letting the company hire someone who understands the dangers involved.

The general answer to your question is "YES", bus bars can be tapped. We often use high temperature silver solder and brazing flux. However, the devil is in the details which you have not provided.