Performance-wise
Buses use copper or aluminum busbars, which have high current density, low resistance, and minimal skin effect, eliminating the need for derating. Lower voltage drop means less energy loss, ultimately saving on user investment. Cables, on the other hand, have a larger root area than busbars of the same current rating due to their multi-strand fine copper core. Furthermore, their severe skin effect reduces current rating, increases voltage drop, and easily leads to overheating. This results in greater energy loss and faster aging.
Safety-wise
The metal enclosure of busbar trunking protects the busbars from mechanical or athletic damage. The plug-in unit installation in power distribution systems is very safe, and the enclosure can be grounded as a whole, providing highly reliable grounding. Cables, however, are susceptible to mechanical and animal damage. Power must be disconnected before cable installation, which can be dangerous if errors occur, especially since cables require on-site grounding; unreliable grounding increases the risk.
Installation-wise
Buses consist of many short and lightweight sections. Therefore, installation can be completed quickly by a small team. Busbars have a wide range of standard parts and inventory, allowing for quick delivery and saving on-site work time. Their compact "sandwich" structure reduces electrical space, freeing up more space for commercial uses, such as rentals or public spaces. However, installing the cables is a challenging task. Individual cables are often heavy, requiring a large team and significant time to complete. Furthermore, the bending radius of the cables necessitates more installation space.
Circuit Optimization
By using busbar trunking, we can merge certain branch circuits and convert them into a large busbar trunking using plug-in boxes. This simplifies the electrical system and allows for lower current values with more wires. Therefore, it saves on construction costs and is easier to maintain. Traditional cable lines, on the other hand, make the electrical system extremely complex, bulky, and difficult to maintain, thus wasting construction costs and installation space.
Scalability
With busbars, system expansion can be achieved by adding or changing sections, resulting in high reuse rates. In most cases, cables cannot be reused because their length and route differ; if the system needs to be expanded, new cables must be purchased to replace the old ones.
Plug-in Switch Boxes
Plug-in switch boxes can be used with air-insulated busbar trunking. No additional accessories are required during installation. The plug-in connector is the most important component; it is made of stamped copper alloy, heat-treated to enhance elasticity, and tin-plated, maintaining stable contact even after more than 200 plug-ins. The enclosure is equipped with a grounding point to ensure reliable grounding. The enclosure contains a switching circuit and uses a molded case circuit breaker to provide overload and short-circuit protection for the connected circuits.
