1. Busbar trunking offers superior heat dissipation. Cable insulation (core insulation and outer sheath insulation) serves as both insulation and heat insulation; therefore, power cables are typically laid in cable trays with a maximum of two layers for heat dissipation. Busbar trunking utilizes air conduction for heat dissipation and dissipates heat through its tightly fitted steel casing. Therefore, its heat dissipation performance is significantly better than that of cables.
2. Busbar trunking requires almost no maintenance. Routine maintenance typically involves measuring the temperature rise of the casing and core bolts, as well as the temperature rise of the connectors in the incoming box. If 4.8 grade core bolts are used, they require periodic tightening; if 8.8 grade high-strength bolts are used, periodic tightening is not necessary. Cables, due to their materials' susceptibility to wear and aging, and shorter lifespan, require regular inspection, maintenance, and even replacement.
3. Current Carrying Range: Currently, the largest cable cross-section is 1000mm², with a rated current of 1600A. However, such large-diameter cables are rarely used in engineering projects due to their excessive size and weight. Engineering projects generally use cables of 400mm² and below for power distribution, requiring many cables to supply power simultaneously. Busbar trunking, on the other hand, can have a maximum rated current of 6300A, a current-carrying capacity that cables simply cannot match.
4. Strong Overload Capacity: This is due to the high operating temperature of its insulation materials. Busbar trunking uses insulation materials with an operating temperature of 105℃, and now radiation cross-linked flame-retardant wrapping tape (PER) and radiation cross-linked polycarbonate heat-shrinkable tubing with operating temperatures above 140℃ have been developed. Cable insulation materials typically have a normal operating temperature of 95℃ and 105℃. Therefore, the overload capacity of busbar trunking is far greater than that of cables.
5. Busbar trunking offers convenient branching. So-called plug-in busbar trunking uses plug-in connections to distribute power from the main line to branch lines, with plug-in boxes every few meters, making branching very convenient. Cables, on the other hand, require on-site branching, resulting in poor reliability. Even prefabricated branch cables have significant drawbacks, primarily due to the need for factory customization and the use of open "C"-shaped clamps for branch connections. Over time, can the clamping force be guaranteed? Furthermore, the cost of each branch is considerable, thus prefabricated branch cables remain relatively uncommon. When power needs to be cut off on any floor, the busbar trunking does not require de-energization; simply remove the plug-in boxes under no-load conditions.
