Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
or with email
Your Cart
SubtotalтВ╣0
TotalтВ╣0
Examoogle тАв User тАв info@examoogle.com тАв EE-2024-8821
Chapter 1 of 12 тАв Page 1 of 248ЁЯФТ Protected PDF тАв Watermarked
Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
Bus bars are made up of
Aluminium
Copper
Both
None of this
Both
Bus bars are conductive strips or bars used in electrical power distribution to collect and distribute electric current. Both Copper (Cu) and Aluminium (Al) are standard materials due to their excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical properties.
Bus bars are conductive strips or bars used in electrical power distribution to collect and distribute electric current. Both Copper (Cu) and Aluminium (Al) are standard materials due to their excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical properties.
R=╧БAlтАЛ тАФ Resistance of the bus bar based on resistivity ╧Б, length l, and cross-section A
IcapacityтАЛтИЭAтАЛ тАФ Current carrying capacity is related to the cross-sectional area and surface heat dissipation
The bus bar acts as a common junction point in switchgear. Its current-carrying capacity is determined by its cross-sectional area, surface area for heat dissipation, and the resistivity of the material. Aluminium is often preferred for cost-effectiveness and weight, while Copper is preferred for higher conductivity and smaller physical space requirements.
Copper has higher conductivity (IACS ~100%) compared to Aluminium (IACS ~61%).
Aluminium bus bars are lighter and cheaper, making them ideal for large-scale outdoor substations.
Copper is used where space is constrained due to its smaller required cross-sectional area for the same current rating.
Bus bar joints must be carefully treated to avoid corrosion, especially for Aluminium which forms an oxide layer.
Flexibility in installation and configuration
Ease of maintenance and expansion of electrical systems
High structural strength to withstand magnetic forces during short circuits
Aluminium requires special anti-corrosion grease at contact joints
Copper is susceptible to market price fluctuations and theft
Electrical Switchgear and Control panels
Substations and Power Transformers
Data Centers for power distribution units (PDU)
| Feature | Copper | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|
Conductivity | Higher (~100% IACS) | Lower (~61% IACS) |
Cost | High | Low |
IE Rule 1956 focuses on safety and proper clearance of bus bar systems in electrical installations.
Aluminium oxidation must be removed using abrasive brushes before tightening bolted joints.
C is correct тАФ Both Aluminium and Copper are widely used as standard bus bar materials based on economic and technical requirements.
When choosing materials for bus bars, always remember that Aluminium requires a larger cross-section than Copper to carry the same current due to its higher resistivity.