Utility: Transformer Bus Bar

Bus bar systems in the utilities sector include power generation, transmission and distribution.

Power Generation Bus Bar Applications

Critical markets that use high power bus bar within the power generation sector include:

• Renewable Energy
• Nuclear Energy
• Natural Gas
• Diesel
• Coal
• Oil

Power Transmission Bus Bar Applications

Critical markets that use bus bar in power transmission and distribution applications include:

• Off-Shore
• Main Stations
• Distribution Stations
• Transformer Stations
• Substations
• HVDC Converter Stations
• Switchgears

Bus Bar Problems

Bus bar failure can present serious problems in the power system. A bus bar failure can result in outages of the connected transmission lines. When this happens, the power flow shifts to the remaining functioning lines that now carry more power than they’re capable of. This can lead to tripping of the lines, which can result in a complete blackout or similar failure situations.

For this reason, it’s critical to understand which type of busbar systems should be used for your application.

With the proper bus bar system, safe and reliable operation of transmission systems is attained.

Bus Bar System Solutions

Bus bar systems can include a single bus bar or multiple bus bars. Depending on the application requirements, a single busbar may be all you need. However, if you underestimate or miscalculate application requirements, you could end up causing a complete blackout.

Below, we provide the advantages, disadvantages and application requirements for the most common power transformer bus bar systems.

Single Bus Bar Arrangements

Single bus bar arrangements offer a simple & low cost solution for power control and protection. However, there are some significant disadvantages to single bus bar arrangements, including an absence of redundancy, as well as limited flexibility for operation maintenance and management.

Most importantly, if a single bus bar arrangement fails the entire substation can be rendered out of service. To improve reliability, a second bus bar should be added.

Double Busbar Arrangements

The double bus bar arrangement offers far greater flexibility & reliability during substation operation. It’s possible to control power flow by using the bus bars independently & switching a feeder from one bus bar to the other.

However, since bus bar disconnectors cannot break the feeder’s rated current there will still be a power flow disruption, although it will be a much shorter disruption that one caused by a single bus bar arrangement.

One-Breaker-and-Half-Scheme Arrangements

The One-Breaker-and-Half-Scheme is a compromise between the double bus bar arrangement and a double circuit breaker scheme. With the One-Breaker-and-Half Scheme there can be a loss of a complete busbar without any disruption of the feeders power supply.

Designs with One-Breaker-and-Half Scheme, paired with Double Circuit Breaker Arrangements ensure high redundancy, but result in higher costs.

3 Phase Busbar Arrangement

For higher voltage levels at the nodes of transmission systems on important substations, a 3 phase bus bar arrangement should be used.

Industry Leading Bus Bar Manufacturer for Power Transformers

EMS is an industry leading bus bar manufacturer for power transformers. We fabricate bus bar sizes for all power transformers, both large and small.