Energy efficient busbar design

[Tomasz Kowalski]

Hello, This is my very first thread on the forum. If I posted it in wrong part of the forum, just moved it. Thanks.

According to the thread ( FREE Electrical Software from the Copper Development Association - https://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/threads/free-electrical-software-from-the-copper-development-association.23447/#post-1213200 ), im looking for Energy efficient busbar design software. A specially for "D11 Busbar Design Software (Datadisk) ". Can anyone help me find this one? I need it to finish my master thesis.

 

[Bobster]

Considering the thread you linked to is 9 years old now.

I'm going to say you're probably out of luck.

 

[Tomasz Kowalski]

I know it's 9 years old. However maybe someone could help me with finding it. Im gonna try mail Copper Development Association dev, hopefully he can help me with this.

 

[Bobster]

I did a quick search for you, an the only 2 websites that mention this software, are no longer online.

Is this something that you have been told to use by your university?

 

[Tomasz Kowalski]

Yeah, Proffesor who manages my work on the thesis told me to use this software. In 2011 his previous graduate had similar topic of master thesis and he used that software. However professor couldn't pass me this programme. I have checked plenty of sites. Do you any other software to check energy efficient of busbars? It's rather unusally topic in Poland, thats why im looking for help on anyother forum

 

[Bobster]

Are you designing for an MCC?

Not something I've had to use, even designing large systems >4000A. Efficiency of the bars themselves is not something gone into.

The only thing I can think of is costing against standard size bars and the required size demanded by the load.

The main design factors we use are sizing for harmonics and bracing requirements for fault current.

Due to the nature of testing involved with MCCs to pass the myriad of regulations required. We end up using type tested systems and designs to save us hours and cost of a lot of required tests.

Maybe this site can help:

Innovations: Copper Busbar Sizing Guide - https://www.copper.org/publications/newsletters/innovations/1999/02/busbar.html

 

[Tomasz Kowalski]

Thank you for replies. I saw that site, but still couldn't find any software. I have to compare copper and aluminium busbars over the period of 10 years. Using software would be much easier than calculate everything one-by-one. Never the less - thanks for help.

 

[marconi]

Everything you need to know about copper busbars - http://www.engineersjournal.ie/2017/11/07/everything-you-need-to-know-about-copper-busbars/

Guidance on busbar design for efficient, economic and reliable systems. - https://copperalliance.org.uk/knowledge-base/resource-library/busbars-guidance-design-installation/

 

[Bobster]

If it's just for cost of copper over aluminium factored over the lifespan of the installation.

I think within 3 or 4 hours, you could have an excel sheet do the calculations for you based on the information @marconi posted above.

You'll have to cite where you got you're costing values from, as they are likely a little out of date.

 

[Tomasz Kowalski]

Thank you @marconi and @Rob . You helped me a lot with this. As Rob mentioned- I'm gonna stick with excel sheet to do this. Thanks both of you.

 

[Bobster]

Thank you @marconi and @Rob . You helped me a lot with this. As Rob mentioned- I'm gonna stick with excel sheet to do this. Thanks both of you.

Good luck with the Masters.

Never know, could always pass the excel sheet on to the tutor once you're done for some extra credit.

 

[Wilko]

Fantastic - I just read it over lunch and worked out why my NPV is zero, my bar is too small ...