1 ANNEXURE-1 (Table 12 of Copper Developement Association)

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 Enclosed copper conductors

In many cases busbars are surrounded by enclosures, normally metallic, which

reduce the busbar heat dissipation due to reduction in cooling air flow and
radiation losses and therefore give current ratings which may be considerably
less than those for free air exposure. Ventilated enclosures, however, provide
mechanical protection and some cooling air flow with the least reduction in
current rating.

The reduction in rating for a given temperature rise will vary considerably with the
type and size of bar and enclosure. The greatest decrease in current rating
occurs with bars which depend mainly on free air circulation and less on uniform
current distribution such as the modified hollow square arrangement (Figure 9d).
In these cases the rating may be reduced to between 60 and 65% when the
conductors are enclosed in non-magnetic metal enclosures. In the case of
tubular conductors or those of closely grouped flat laminations, which are
normally not so well cooled by air circulation, the ratings may be reduced to
about 75% of free air ratings for normal temperature rises.

Where the busbar system is enclosed in thick magnetic enclosures, such

as in metal-clad switchgear, the reduction is approximately a further 15%.
The effect of thin sheet-steel enclosures is somewhat less. These additional
reductions are due to the heat generated by the alternating magnetic fields
through hysteresis and eddy current losses. Besides the derating caused by
enclosure conditions, other limitations on maximum working temperature are
often present, such as when the outside of enclosures should not exceed a given
safety value. These deratings are affected by the electrical clearances involved
and the degree of ventilation in the enclosure. The above figures and the curves
shown in Figure 12 should only be taken as a rough guide to the required
derating; an accurate figure can only be obtained by testing.

All parts such as conductor and switch fittings, enclosures and interphase
barriers may be subject to appreciable temperature rise due to circulating and
eddy current losses when close to the heavy current bars and connections.
These losses can be reduced to a minimum by making these parts from high
conductivity non-magnetic material such as copper or copper alloy.

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 Figure 12 Comparison of approximate current ratings for busbars in different enclosures

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