NZ728680B2 - An interconnection and insulation module for busbars - Google Patents
An interconnection and insulation module for busbars Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ728680B2 NZ728680B2 NZ728680A NZ72868015A NZ728680B2 NZ 728680 B2 NZ728680 B2 NZ 728680B2 NZ 728680 A NZ728680 A NZ 728680A NZ 72868015 A NZ72868015 A NZ 72868015A NZ 728680 B2 NZ728680 B2 NZ 728680B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- busbar
- module
- busbars
- windows
- opposed sides
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims description 17
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- 230000023298 conjugation with cellular fusion Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000021037 unidirectional conjugation Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 12
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000001264 neutralization Effects 0.000 description 7
- 229920000168 Microcrystalline cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 235000019813 microcrystalline cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 210000001503 Joints Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 3
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- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
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- 230000037250 Clearance Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000035512 clearance Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
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- 241000238631 Hexapoda Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000283984 Rodentia Species 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
- H01R25/14—Rails or bus-bars constructed so that the counterparts can be connected thereto at any point along their length
- H01R25/142—Their counterparts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
- H01R25/16—Rails or bus-bars provided with a plurality of discrete connecting locations for counterparts
- H01R25/161—Details
- H01R25/162—Electrical connections between or with rails or bus-bars
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B—BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B1/00—Frameworks, boards, panels, desks, casings; Details of substations or switching arrangements
- H02B1/20—Bus-bar or other wiring layouts, e.g. in cubicles, in switchyards
- H02B1/21—Bus-bar arrangements for rack-mounted devices with withdrawable units
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/04—Protective tubing or conduits, e.g. cable ladders or cable troughs
- H02G3/0456—Ladders or other supports
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G5/00—Installations of bus-bars
- H02G5/02—Open installations
- H02G5/025—Supporting structures
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G5/00—Installations of bus-bars
- H02G5/04—Partially-enclosed installations, e.g. in ducts and adapted for sliding or rolling current collection
Abstract
interconnection and insulation module is provided that is arranged to locate about a plurality of busbar pairs. Each busbar pair includes first and second busbars with an inter-busbar gap in between. The module includes opposed sides which accommodate the busbar pairs between them. Corresponding windows are formed through the opposed sides of the module and busbar separators extend from interior surfaces of the opposed sides. The bus bar separators locate inter- busbar gaps for each busbar pair between one or more of the corresponding windows. Passages are defined between the corresponding windows of the opposed sides via the inter-busbar gaps for insertion of an electrical interconnection member. In use busbars can be readily interconnected by aligning their respective modules against each other and applying electrical interconnection members through the windows. windows are formed through the opposed sides of the module and busbar separators extend from interior surfaces of the opposed sides. The bus bar separators locate inter- busbar gaps for each busbar pair between one or more of the corresponding windows. Passages are defined between the corresponding windows of the opposed sides via the inter-busbar gaps for insertion of an electrical interconnection member. In use busbars can be readily interconnected by aligning their respective modules against each other and applying electrical interconnection members through the windows.
Description
AN INTERCONNECTION AND INSULATION MODULE FOR
BUSBARS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates generally to low voltage electrical switchgear and control gear
assembly and more particular to an improved modular bus bar interconnection and
insulation system for power distribution in multi-compartment switchboards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Low Voltage Switchgear and ControlGear Assemblies (LVSCA) are used to
distribute electrical power in residential, commercial and industrial applications. For
the purpose of explanation embodiments of the invention will be described in the
context of high end commercial and Industrial market segments.
Within these market segments there are generally two types of LVSCA
Commercial applications generally use electrical switchboards which
predominately are for the distribution of electrical power for Light and Power
applications. These would include, major shopping centres, office buildings,
factories. The switchboard distributes power for lighting, air conditioning,
refrigeration, air conditioning and electrical equipment including power for
general use and computer installations.
Industrial installations can use electrical switchboards but also use Motor
Control Centres. MCC are used to control the starting and stopping of
electrical motors in mining, water treatment, processing, conveyors, mills
and like installations. These applications are generally further controlled by
programmable logic controllers PLCs that are programmed for each
application.
Electrical Switchboards and Motor Control Centres are similar in their application
but differ in the type of equipment installed.
Electrical switchboard predominately use Switchgear
MCC use a combination of Switchgear and Controlgear i.e. Motor Control.
Generally speaking Motor Control Centre manufacturing is considered more
technically challenging than Electrical Switchboard manufacturing and requires a
higher degree of engineering.
Most switchboards are manufactured from sheet steel panels bolted together to
form an enclosure. This is fitted with a busbar system mounted on insulated busbar
supports and depending on the technical requirements the switchboard will be
divided by sheetmetal partitions in to various compartments. Compartments can
generally be defined as follows,
Main incoming functional unit
Busbar zone
Outgoing functional unit
Cable zone
These compartments are generally segregated by sheetmetal partitions.
In all applications where electrical Switchboards and MCCs are involved there is a
minimum of one incoming supply, but there may be more, which connect to a main
busbar system that generally runs the length of the LVSCA. There are then branch
busbars that further distribute power, generally vertically, through the LVSCA the
final circuits connect to switchgear and control gear which is connected to these
branch busbars.
Traditional construction provides for various sizes of busbar for these applications
e.g. a main busbar rated at 4000A may consist of 4 x 80 x 10mm busbars per
phase and neutral. A branch busbar of 1000A may consist of 1 x 80 x 10mm busbar
per phase and neutral.
Typical ratings of LVSCAs are as follows,
Commercial Electrical switchboards
Voltage 380V – 440V
Current ratings 1250A, 1600A, 2500A, 3200A. 4000A
Dielectric Withstand Voltage 2500V
Fault Rating 50/65kA
Creepage & clearance Distance 13mm
Voltage 380V – 690V
Current ratings 1250A, 1600A, 2500A, 3200A. 4000A, 6300A
Dielectric Withstand Voltage 2500/6000V
Fault Rating 50/65/80kA (up to 100ka rarely)
Creepage & clearance Distance 13/16/19mm
Traditional LVSCA have relied on open bare air insulated busbar systems. In
particular the commercial application for switchboards are generally custom built
with little or no repetitive assembly or component techniques use. Busbars are
generally air insulated and supported on various types of custom or moulded
busbar supports. Busbar supports are fitted where it is convenient for the
manufacturer, or at maximum spacings. Insulation is normally not used or if it is
used it is heatshrink insulation with separate boots over the busbar joints. This is
labour intensive in its installation and application.
Shows a portion of a prior art LVSCA 100, including horizontal bus bars 1
and vertical bus bars 3. Vertical bus bar insulator assembly 5 and horizontal bus
bar insulator assembly 7 are also shown in Figure 1. The connection means
comprises steel mounting brackets 11 with slip-on insulator blocks 13. Both sets
of insulator assemblies 5, 7, have a plurality of components. Interconnecting
holding bolt assemblies 9 also involve a number of components. The bars 1, 3 of
the bus bar assemblies are exposed to surrounding atmospheric conditions and
contaminates. Air insulated busbars require significant inter-bar spacing for both
phase-to phase and phase-to-earth. This is to reduce the risk of foreign matter
building up and creating short circuit conditions or arcing fault conditions between
the bars. Foreign matter can be any number of things, dust, rodents, swarf from
drilling or cutting, insects, carbon. In addition, the bare bus bars 1, 3 present a
shock risk to a person doing maintenance or modifications to the LVSCA.
It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus to assist in interconnection
of busbars that overcomes one or more of the problems of the prior art that have
been discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an
interconnection and insulation module arranged to locate about a plurality of
busbar pairs, each busbar pair including first and second busbars with an inter-
busbar gap therebetween, said module including:
opposed sides for accommodating the busbar pairs therebetween;
corresponding windows formed through the opposed sides; and
formations extending from interior surfaces of at least one of the opposed sides to
locate inter-busbar gaps for each bus bar pair between one or more of the
corresponding windows;
whereby passages are defined between the corresponding windows of the
opposed sides via the inter-busbar gaps for insertion of an electrical
interconnection member.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the windows formed through the
opposed sides are in respective square arrays.
Preferably the support housing comprises first and second opposed portions.. It is
preferred that busbar dividers extend from internal walls of the first and second
portions.
Opposed ends of the module may include unidirectional mating formations
whereby a number of modules may be interconnected end to end so that all of the
number of modules are orientated in the same direction.
The module may include alignment formations located around a periphery of the
module for assisting face-to-face alignment of windows of the module with another
corresponding module in use.
The formation for locating the bus bar pairs preferably includes a number of
separators which extend from one or more internal walls of the support housing
and which penetrate a space between pairs of the busbars.
An endplate may be mounted across one end of the housing.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an insulated busbar
assembly comprising:
a first plurality of parallel busbars;
a module as previously described, disposed about the first plurality of
parallel busbars.
The busbar assembly may comprise a second plurality of parallel busbars
orthogonal to the first plurality of busbars and a second module of the previously
described type disposed about the second plurality of parallel busbars wherein
windows of the first module and windows of the second module are aligned.
One or more interconnection members, for example in the form of bolts or pins,
may be disposed through respective of the aligned windows thereby
interconnecting busbars of the first plurality of busbars with busbars of the second
plurality of busbars.
Each of the plurality of busbar assemblies are preferably contiguously covered by
modules of the previously described type.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an insulated
busbar assembly comprising:
a first busbar assembly including a plurality of parallel busbars;
a first plurality of interconnection and insulation modules disposed
contiguously about the busbar assembly.
Preferably each of the modules comprise:
a support housing encircling the busbars;
a number of dividers extending from one or more internal walls of the
support housing to locate the busbars and to maintain electrical separation
therebetween;
a regular array, or “matrix” of windows formed in the support housing;
detachable covers corresponding to the windows;
wherein the dividers and the windows are located relative to each other for a
conductive member inserted through a window to come into electrical connection
with a busbar.
The insulated busbar assembly may include one or more additional busbar
assemblies each having respective additional pluralities of interconnection and
insulation modules disposed contiguously thereabout wherein conductive
members electrically interconnect busbars of the first busbar assembly and of the
one or more additional busbar assemblies. The additional busbars fit into an
overall matrix structure of the busbar assembly.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an
interconnection and insulation module for busbars, the module comprising:
a support housing encircling the busbars;
a number of dividers extending from one or more internal walls of the
support housing to locate the busbars and to maintain electrical separation
therebetween;
a regular array of windows formed in the support housing;
detachable covers corresponding to the windows;
wherein the dividers and the windows are located relative to each other for a
conductive member inserted through a window to come into electrical connection
with a busbar.
Preferably the windows are arranged in respective square arrays or matrices.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the support housing comprises first and
second opposed portions wherein the dividers extend from internal walls of the first
and second portions.
It is preferred that opposed ends of the module include unidirectional mating
formations whereby a number of modules may be interconnected end to end so
that all of the number of modules are orientated in the same direction.
The busbars may be provided in pairs, in that case it is preferable that the module
includes a number of separators which extend from one or more internal walls of
the support housing and which penetrate a space between pairs of the busbars.
The module may include an endplate mounted across one end of the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned
from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for
those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to
be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any
way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as
follows:
is a view of a prior art horizontal to vertical bus bar joining detail.
is a view of bus bar support module according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention shown housing lengths of busbars..
is an exploded view of the bus bar support module of Figure 2.
shows end-to-end complementary mating features of the bus bar support
module.
shows two busbar modules brought into alignment against each other.
is a detail view of a portion of Figure 3B.
is a detail view of an alignment rod.
is a top plan view of the assembly of Figure 3B.
is an end view of the assembly of Figure 3E.
is a cross sectional view along line B-B of Figure 3E.
is a detail of a portion of Figure 3G showing an alighment rod in detail.
is a cross sectional view along line B-B of Figure 3E showing an electrical
interconnection pin in place.
is an interior view of one half of the bus bar support module of Figure 2
shown supporting a number of busbars.
is an exploded view of a number of the modules of Figure 2 in use to produce
a busbar assembly comprising interconnected horizontal and vertical portions.
is a non-exploded view of the assembly of Figure 5.
is a first view of an insulated busbar assembly created by the use of a
plurality of the support modules of Figure 2.
is a second, exploded view of the insulated busbar assembly of Figure 7.
is a diagram showing the insulated busbar assembly of Figure 7 in use.
shows the clamping of two busbars together to form an electrical
interconnection.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to Figure 2, there is depicted a bus bar insulation and
interconnection module 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention shown in use about the end of a busbar assembly 4 comprised of four
pairs of busbars 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. The busbar assembly 4 that is shown in the figures
extends for a much greater distance than is actually visible in Figures 2 and 3.
As shown in Figure 3, which is an exploded view of the insulation and
interconnection module 2, the module 2 comprises a housing formed of first and
second parts 2a, 2b which are located on opposite sides of the busbar assembly
4. The first and second parts 2a, 2b of the housing cooperate to sandwich the
busbar assembly 4 therebetween. In the presently described preferred
embodiment of the invention the first and second parts 2a, 2b are identical however
that need not necessarily be the case in other embodiments of the invention.
Where the busbar assembly 4 terminates within the insulation module 2 an end
plate 6 is provided to cap the module 2 as shown.
Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a view of the inside of the first portion 2a
of the insulation module 2 with pairs 4c and 4d of the busbar assembly 4, and one
conductor 4ba of pair 4b, shown located inside the portion 2a. It will be observed
that the inside of the portion 2a of the insulation and interconnection module 2 is
integrally formed with inwardly extending, spaced, apart formations in the form of
busbar separators 8 which act to separate and hold the members of each of the
pairs of busbars of the busbar assembly. The inside of the portion 2a of insulator
module 2 is also integrally formed with continuous longitudinal busbar pair dividers
10 which act to physically and electrically separate the pairs of busbars 4a, 4b, 4c
and 4d from each other along the length of the insulation and interconnection
module 2.
Referring again to Figure 2, a matrix of 16 windows 12aa to 12dd is formed through
an outer wall, or “face”, of portion 2a of insulator module 2. The windows 12aa to
12dd (generally referred to herein as “12”) are covered by detachable covers 14aa
to 14dd respectively (generally referred to herein as “14”). The centre of each
window 12 is located over a mid-line between the busbars of each pair of busbars
4a to 4d. Consequently, subsequent to removing one of the covers 14 an
electrically conductive member in the form of interconnection bolt 16 (shown in
Figure 3) can be inserted between each busbar of a pair of the busbars of busbar
assembly 4 and also between adjacent busbar pair separators 8 and fastened in
place. The pin is electrically connected to each busbar of the busbar pair by virtue
of the side of the pin being in electrical contact with the inner, opposed sides of
each busbar of the busbar pair. Furthermore, the interconnection bolt may have a
length that is equal to about twice the width w of the module 2. Accordingly, as
shown in Figure 5 the bolt 16 is able to penetrate through two, or more, insulation
modules to thereby electrically interconnect paired busbars together. For example,
in Figure 5, which is a partially exploded view, four bolts 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d
electrically interconnect horizontal busbar pairs 4ah, 4bh, 4ch and 4dh to vertical
busbar pairs 4av, 4bv, 4cv and 4dv respectively.
The matrix of windows 12aa to 12dd are spaced to comply with the DIN standard.
The fundamental DIN spacing is 25mm. The Inventor initially developed the module
2 to provide a matrix system based around a 25mm increment. The Inventor found
that in practice 25mm was too small an increment for the envisaged use so the
spacing was doubled to 50mm, indicated as distance “ d” in Figure 2. Consequently,
a preferred embodiment of the invention uses 50 x 10MM copper busbars (i.e. each
of the busbars of pairs 4a to 4d) in Figure 2 that are covered by one or more
insulation modules 2.
As shown in Figure 2 and 3, each interconnection and insulation module 2 can
accommodate 8 busbars (i.e. the four pairs of busbars 4a to 4d) of 50 x 10mm
section, being 3 phases and neutral. As will be described further shortly, the
insulator modules can be assembled in continuous lengths, heights and depths to
create an interconnected busbar assembly where connections can be made on a
50mm grid.
In the presently described preferred embodiment the interconnection and insulation
module 2 is designed so adjacent modules most be orientated in a common
direction for interconnection. Assembly of multiple modules 2 on a busbar
assembly 4 is intuitive because there is only one way to fit them as adjacent
modules interlock side by side in a specific direction. This can be seen by
reference to Figure 3A which shows the end to end complementary mating features
and 17 of two blocks 2’ and 2’’. Flange 15 of block 2’ interlocks end to end with
the recesses of flange 17 of block 2’’ to thereby create a continuous insulator of
indefinite length. Tabs 19 on the side of the busbar insulation modules 2 also
interlock when the modules 2 are mounted side by side.
Posts 21 are integrally formed around the edge of each of the portions 2a and 2b
of the module 2. The posts are each formed with a bore 23 at their outer end. As
shown in Figures 3B and 3C, in order to align an assembly of two modules 150
face-to-face, i.e. with the windows of one module 2 brought into alignment with the
windows of a second module 2’, one end of an alignment rod 25, shown in Figure
3D, is received into the bore 23 of post 21 so that the other end of the alignment
rod 25 protrudes outwardly and is received into the bore of post 21’ on module 2’
as shown in Figure 3B and 3C. In this way two or more modules can be brought
together with the matrix of windows of the modules in alignment. It will be realised
that other arrangements for assisting in aligning the modules face-to-face are
possible.
Figure 3E is a top plan view of the assembly 150 of Figure 3B whereas Figure 3F
is an end view when viewed along arrow 31 as shown in Figure 3E. Figure 3G is
a cross sectional view along line B-B of Figure 3E. Figure 3G shows how the two
modules 2 and 2’ are bolted together by clamping bolt 33 whose head is captured
by the upper face of module 2 and whose lower tip is captured by nut 35 in the
lower module 2’.The clamping bolt 33 is kept apart and insulated from the busbars
4. Figure 3H is a detail of a portion of Figure 3G showing the alighment rod 35 in
detail.
In order to make a connection between busbar pairs 4c and 4c’ as shown in Figure
3I, window cover 14 (shown in Figure 3E) is removed and so too are corresponding
window covers on the underside of the module 2 and also on the top of the lower
module 2’. Consequently a passage is defined between the corresponding
windows of the opposed sides via the inter-busbar gaps 37 (identified in Figure 3E).
A conductive pin or bolt 16 is inserted through the corresponding gap 37 between
busbars 4cx, 4cy and 4cx’ and 4cy’. The pin is slightly oversized relative to the
width of gap 37 and so presses firmly against the innersides of the busbars to make
a good electrical connection. A window cover 18 is snap fitted over the top of the
conductive pin 16.
The busbar support module 2 provides continuous phase to phase isolation and
phase to earth isolation. Therefore it eliminates as far as practical the possibility of
creating an electrical short circuit or arcing fault. In the extremely unlikely event of
an arcing fault occurring it is virtually impossible for the arc to be propagated and
cause significant damage.
Referring again to Figure 5, where the detachable window covers 14 have been
removed to allow for insertion of the interconnection bolts 16a-16d, bolt cover
plates 18a-18d are provided which clip into the windows 12aa – 12dd and thereby
cover the heads of the bolts. The bolt cover plates 18a-18d have a different visual
appearance to the that of the detachable window covers 14 and so the location of
the bolts is readily apparent to a user after an interconnection has been made
between horizontal and vertical busbar assemblies 4h and 4v. It is also possible to
fit view windows enabling thermal temperature imaging of busbar joints.
Consequently, three phase power and electrical earth can be distributed from the
horizontal busbar assembly 4h to the vertical busbar assembly 4v, and vice versa.
A preferred embodiment of the invention described herein uses one size of busbar
but multiples of them for all ratings so for instance a 4000A main busbar would
consist of 8 x 50 x 10mm busbars per phase and neutral and a 1000A branch
busbar would consist of 2 x 50 x 10mm busbars per phase and neutral.
Referring now to Figure 6, the assembly 200 of Figure 5 is shown in an assembled
form with the two halves 2a and 2b of the interconnection and insulation module 2
fitted together. The two halves may be formed to snap fit together or alternatively
they may be bolted together by bolts that protrude through bolt holes 22 (visible in
Figure 2) and corresponding bolt hole sleeves 20 of the two halves 2a and 2b of
the module 2. Figure 6 also shows how the end plates 6 have been fitted to cover
blind ends of the busbar assemblies 4h and 4v. It will also be observed that the
bolt cover plates 18 have been fitted into the windows that correspond to the bolts
16 and located over the ends of the bolts 16. As discussed in relation to Figure 3A,
ends of the modules 2, 2’, 2’’ are formed with complementary snap fit formations
so that adjacent interconnection and insulation modules 2 snap fit to each other
end-to-end to form an elongate, contiguous covering over the busbar assemblies
as shown in Figure 6.
Figures 7 and Figures 8 are two views of an insulated busbar assembly 300
according to an embodiment of the present invention that includes four busbar
assemblies.
With reference to Figure 8 first vertical busbar assembly 4v1 extends upwardly and
is coupled to a first horizontal busbar assembly 4h1 by means of bolts that extend
across interconnection blocks 2v3 and 2h2 and which electrically interconnect each
of the busbars in the busbar assemblies 4v1 and 4h1.
A second horizontal busbar assembly 4h2 is coupled end-to-end to the first
horizontal busbar assembly 4h1 by means of a horizontal busbar assembly 4h3
which is entirely housed within module 2L1. The module 2L1 spans the opposed
ends of busbar assemblies 4h1 and 4h2 and electrically interconnects them by
means of bolts 16p to 16w. The outer portion of module 2L1 is not shown to
reviewal the inner busbar 4h3.
Of bolts 16p to 16w, bolts 16p, 16q, 16r, 16u, 16v and 16w are of a length that
corresponds to about two thicknesses of a module 2. In contrast, bolts 16t and 16s
have a length equivalent to about three times the thickness of a module 2 in order
that they can span module 2L1, busbars 4h1 and module 2L2 to thereby
interconnect the two innermost pairs of horizontal busbar assemblies 4h1 and 4h2
to the two inner most pairs of vertical busbar assembly 4v2.
Bolts, of length corresponding to the thickness of two modules electrically
interconnect the outermost pairs of busbars of the second vertical busbar assembly
4v2 to the top and bottom busbars of horizontal busbar assemblies 4h1 and 4h2
respectively. Consequently, the order of the three phases and neutral is preserved
across the busbar assemblies 4v1, 4h1, 4h2 and 4v2. Of course, it is possible to
invert, or otherwise re-order, the interconnections by selecting different positions
for the various interconnection bolts that span the modules and electrically
interconnect the pairs of busbars.
is a diagram showing the insulated busbar assembly 300 of Figure 7 in use,
i.e. distributing electrical power from a power source 301, for example the output
side of a three phase transformer to two power sinks 303, 305, for example air
conditioning plants.
Traditionally joints between busbar sections, be they horizontal to vertical, shipping
breaks, or horizontal to horizontal, are made with bolted connections. The
embodiments of the invention provide for traditional bolted connections to be
utilised but it is also a development that the insulated housing is used as a
compression clamping connection.
Referring now to Figure 10, it is possible that by the interlocking of the insulation
housings to each other that a high pressure clamp connection can be made
between the horizontal and vertical busbars. The advantage of this connection
system is that no space is used to make the connection between the horizontal and
vertical busbars. This means that switchgear and controlgear devices can be fitted
where the traditional bolted connection would have been thus ensuring maximum
utilization of the space inside the LVSCA.
The various items in Figure 10 are as follows:
VB/1 – Vertical busbar insulation module.
HB/1 – Horizontal busbar insulation module.
HB/2 – Horizontal busbar insulation module.
AA – M6 bolt connection through.
BB – M6 nut.
CC – copper connection.
It can therefore be seen from Figure 10 that it is possible to make an electrical
connection, by means of the copper connection CC between horizontal busbar 4h1
and vertical busbar 4vh.
Traditional construction methodology requires the switchgear and control to be
mounted in a separate ‘module’ and then connected to the busbar system. The
arrangement can be expensive and, time consuming to assemble and difficult to
maintain. A further feature of an insulated busbar assembly according to an
embodiment of the present invention is that it has a number of mounting provisions
within the moulding of the support. These mounting provisions are provided on the
front face of the support and can be used to mount switchgear and control gear
directly to the busbar system without the need for additional modules. This
facilitates easier assembly and maintenance and reduces the possibility of creating
short circuits or arcing faults.
The busbar support also has provision to mount a shutter mechanism to it. When
using a withdrawable switchgear and control gear module which is common in
MCCs it is necessary to have a ‘plugin’ connection. Therefore each window in the
busbar support must be removed so that a plug can connect to the busbar. When
the module is removed the busbar is then exposed, in this design requirement a
shutter mechanism will be mounted directly to the busbar insulating support.
Fully insulated busbars provide much improved operator safety when it is
necessary for an operator to carry out maintenance work on the LVSCA while the
system is still energised. There is a reduced danger of inadvertent contact with live
parts and the danger of wires or tools creating electrical faults is practically
eliminated.
The standardization of busbar size and matrix busbar system used in preferred
embodiments of the present invention reduces the design and engineering input
and also the technical expertise of the personnel required during the assembly
process.
The modular matrix concept of the insulated busbar system ensures that every
application can be verified as compliant with type test certification. This can be
guaranteed when the LVSCA is built in accordance with the instructions as all
connections are on the predetermined matrix.
A busbar system is the fundamental building block of any LVSCA. However
generally manufacturers design all other elements and then work out how to
connect it all together. The design concept behind the present invention is to
develop a matrix insulated busbar system and then build all other aspects around
it. Ultimately the busbar system is only a part of the LVSCA, additional components
are still required such as a metal enclosure, a connection system to the busbar, a
switchgear and controlgear compartment and cable access for both supply of
power and distribution of power to the field devices.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described with
particular reference to a 50mm inter-window spacing and also with reference to the
dimensions of preferred busbars. It will be realised that the invention is not limited
to any particular dimensions since the dimensions may be varied depending on the
application and whether a metric or imperial system of measurement is standard
where the invention is implemented. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of
the invention has been concerned with a three phase insulated busbar system
which entailed four pairs of busbars (one for each phase and one for neutral) so
that the modules provided a square array (or “matrix”) of 4 4 x 4 = 16 connection
points and detachable windows thereover. However, the system may be readily
modified to accommodate a different number of windows within a different matrix.
Further variations will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more
or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its
variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an
inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described
since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the
invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or
modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately
interpreted by those skilled in the art.
Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires
otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to
the value for the range qualified by the terms.
Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant
to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other
changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups
described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the
invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment
or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.
Claims (12)
1. An interconnection and insulation module arranged to locate about a plurality of busbar pairs, each busbar pair including first and second electrically insulated busbars with an inter-busbar gap therebetween, said module including: opposed sides for accommodating the busbar pairs therebetween; corresponding windows formed through the opposed sides; and formations extending from interior surfaces of at least one of the opposed sides to locate and provide inter-busbar gaps for each bus bar pair between one or more of the corresponding windows; whereby passages are defined between the corresponding windows of the opposed sides via the inter-busbar gaps for insertion of an electrical interconnection member; and wherein each of the inter-bus gaps provided by the formations are less than each of the gaps between two adjacently located busbar pairs accommodated between the opposed sides of the module.
2. A module according to claim 1, wherein the windows formed through the opposed sides are in respective square arrays.
3. A module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the module comprises a support housing comprising first and second opposed portions.
4. A module according to claim 3, wherein busbar dividers extend from internal walls of the first and second opposed portions.
5. A module according to claim 4, wherein opposed ends of the module include unidirectional mating formations whereby a number of modules may be interconnected end to end so that all of the number of modules are orientated in the same direction.
6. A module according to claim 5 including alignment formations located around a periphery of the module for assisting face-to-face alignment of windows of the module with another corresponding module in use.
7. A module according to claim 6, wherein the formations for locating the bus bar pairs include a number of separators which extend from one or more internal walls of the support housing and which penetrate a space between pairs of the busbars.
8. A module according to claim 7 including an endplate mounted across one end of the support housing.
9. An insulated busbar assembly comprising: a first plurality of parallel busbars; a module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, disposed about the first plurality of parallel busbars.
10. The busbar assembly of claim 9 further including a second plurality of parallel busbars orthogonal to the first plurality of busbars and a second module according to any one of claims 1 to 8 disposed about the second plurality of parallel busbars wherein windows of the first module and windows of the second module are aligned.
11. The busbar assembly of claim 10 including one or more interconnection bolts disposed through respective of the aligned windows thereby interconnecting busbars of the first plurality of busbars with busbars of the second plurality of busbars.
12. An assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the each of the plurality of busbar assemblies are contiguously covered by modules according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2014902589 | 2014-07-05 | ||
AU2014902589A AU2014902589A0 (en) | 2014-07-05 | An interconnection and insulation module for busbars | |
PCT/AU2015/000384 WO2016019410A1 (en) | 2014-07-05 | 2015-07-05 | An interconnection and insulation module for busbars |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ728680A NZ728680A (en) | 2021-11-26 |
NZ728680B2 true NZ728680B2 (en) | 2022-03-01 |
Family
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