Value of Insulated Bus Bars in Reducing Arcing Fault Duration in Low-Voltage Systems

Power distribution equipment is the backbone of any Industrial process infrastructure. Safety and reliability are the two most important criteria in the proper functioning of the power distribution system. Low-voltage switchgear (LVS) is an important part of power distribution. Minimizing arcing faults in the switchgear is of utmost importance to enable a safe environment. Arcing faults increase the temperatures inside the equipment beyond 20,000 K, rapidly heating air and vaporizing metal parts. This expanding plasma creates severe mechanical and thermal stress in the equipment which can blow open doors and fragment/burn through the enclosure. Arc-resistant LVS is designed to provide an additional degree of protection for operating personnel performing normal operating duties in close proximity to the equipment. A series of arc flash simulations were performed on arc-resistant LVS in both bare bus (noninsulated) and insulated/isolated bus configurations. In all simulations, insulated/isolated bus had significantly shorter arcing duration and lower energy emitted.