pwr_november-2023 - 15

FOCUS ON O&M
between your main power and distribution
equipment, transformers and
switchboards, switchboards and electrical
cabinets, and so forth. With cable,
when you're designing to UL 508A for
example, the National Electric Code requires
a certain radius depending on the
conductor size. I think the 'aha!' moment
for designers is seeing how you can pretty
much fold these connections on top
of themselves, so now they're realizing
why they don't need all of this space
where the cables will go. "
Reducing Cost and Complexity
Bockstoce noted how significant size
and weight reductions can be achieved
with a flexible busbar solution. Compared
to a 500 kcmil wire length for
instance, an equivalent 3x24 flexible busbar
solution represents a roughly 70%
cross-section savings (where 500 kcmil
= 253.35 square millimeters (mm2
) and
3x24 busbar = 72 mm2
). Reductions will
vary depending on the specific product
and ampacity utilized; however, these
savings can be compelling in place of
rigid power connections.
" You get dramatically smaller, easierto-manage
connections [Figure 4] so
you're not fitting all those cables on top
of each other where it starts to look
like spaghetti, " he said. " Integrating remote
diagnostics into electrical panels
is something that's happening more
these days, and here's a way to have
that same footprint but more space
Enhancing Safety and
Compliance
The use of low smoke, halogen-free
power connections also takes into account
personal safety, environmental
impact, and equipment protection in
the design and installation of electrical
enclosures. Bockstoce said a main
advantage is gained by using products
that combine low smoke, halogen-free,
and flame retardant (LSHFFR) qualities
(Figure 5).
" By having those three characteragain
for new devices. Other times, it
can enable you to shrink your enclosures
and pay less, and now you have
a clean looking cabinet that uses short
runs and is visibly organized.
" If you're using flexible busbar for inputs
or outputs, or for stacking distribution
blocks, we're seeing 30% to 40%
average space savings over cable in
many of those applications. "
Bockstoce said another advantage is
the simplicity of making and maintaining
flexible busbar connections.
" When you have a lug and cable,
traditionally you want to perform some
checks on it to make sure there are no
hot spots. With flexible busbar, you tend
to have one piece that's not crimped-
there is no separate mechanical connection
you're relying on, " Bockstoce said.
" That also means you don't have to perform
extra inspections on the lugs to see
if you have any hot spots. "
istics, especially in a BESS site or any
type of closed cell system, if there is an
incident the product will not emit toxic
fumes or smoke into the air, which is a
benefit to electronic componentry and
everything inside that panel, " Bockstoce
said. " What's key is having an LSHFFRstyle
jacket on your busbar where the
potential release of smoke or harmful
byproducts is not the same concern as
with some types of conductors. "
Flexible busbar allows for greater design
flexibility by shrinking the space
required to make connections in electrical
enclosures. These solutions tend to
be highly compatible within panels and
cabinets, making it easier to configure
and scale electrical systems in renewable
infrastructure. Combining LSHFFR
properties, these products are taking on
increased importance where it is vital to
minimize the rapid spread of fire.
For designers and installers, a flexible
busbar solution can overcome spatial
limitations and offer a lower cost of
implementation in BESS containers, as
well as solar arrays, and EV and T&D
infrastructure. Their ability to efficiently
distribute power while adapting to various
layouts and configurations makes
them an essential component in modern
electrical systems. Where traditional
cable/lug and busbar connections are
rigid and restricting, flexible busbar is a
more adaptable option that designers
and installers are coming to appreciate,
providing OEMs with a solution to add
4. When making power connections with
flexible busbar, be sure to specify products
that meet the most stringent global compliance
requirements. These include IEC and
ANSI/UL, as well as DNV GL and ABS, allowing
for the installation of flexible busbar in a
vast range of electrical systems rated up to
1000VAC IEC/UL and 1500VDC IEC/UL, and
for ampacities from 80A to 7400A. Courtesy:
nVent ERIFLEX
November 2023 | POWER
5. Workers can monitor energy storage systems digitally to check performance and more
quickly spot anomalies. Busbar insulation should be halogen-free and flame retardant in accordance
with ISO 5659-2 (measurement of smoke density generated from burning materials),
IEC 61034-2 (measurement of smoke density of cables burning), and UL 2885 (assessment of
halogens), making it ideal for use in enclosed spaces. Courtesy: nVent ERIFLEX
www.powermag.com
15

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pwr_november-2023

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