BUS BAR

A busbar may either be supported on insulators, or else insulation may completely surround it. Busbars are protected from accidental contact either by a metal enclosure or by elevation out of normal reach. busbars may also be insulated. busbars are typically bolted directly onto any metal chassis of their enclosure. Busbars may be enclosed in a metal housing, in the form of bus duct or busway, segregated-phase bus, or .

Busbars are typically either flat strips or hollow tubes as these shapes allow to dissipate more efficiently due to their high to area . The makes 50-60 Hz busbars more than about 8 mm (1/3 in) thick inefficient, so hollow or flat shapes are prevalent in higher current applications. A hollow section has higher stiffness than a solid rod, which allows a greater span between busbar supports in outdoor switchyards.

The size of the busbar is important in determining the maximum amount of current that can be safely carried. Busbars can have a cross-sectional area of as little as 10 mm? but may use metal tubes of 50 mm in diameter (1,000 mm?) or more as busbars.

A busbar in electrical power distribution refers to thick strips of or that conduct within a , , substation, or other electrical apparatus.