Carrying power through metal-enclosed bus systems 28/999

The welded portion, such as at the flexible joints*, should mm ¥ 12.7 mm or (2'' ¥ 1/2'' ) or any other equivalent flat size
also be safe up to this temperature. Welding of edges is (Tables 30.4 or 30.5).
essential to seal off flexible ends to prevent them from This formula is also drawn in the form of curves as shown
I
moisture condensation, oxidation and erosion of metal. in Figure 28.5, sc ¥ t (Isc in kA) versus final temperature.
A
Tin or lead solder starts softening at around this From these curves the minimum conductor size can be easily
temperature and should not be used for this purpose. For found for any fault level, for both aluminium and copper
joints other than flexibles it is advisable to use oxy- conductors and for any desired end temperature. As in the
acetylene gas welding or brazing for copper and tungsten above case
2
inert gas (TIG) or metal inert gas (MIG) welding for ÊI ˆ
aluminium joints. 100 = 1.166 ¥ sc ¥ 1.34255 ◊ t
100 Ë A ¯
Note I sc 10 4
In case of copper also, the end temperature is considered as 185∞C or t =
only. Although this metal can sustain much higher temperature
A 1.166 ¥ 1.34255 ¥ 10 6
than this, without any adverse change in its mechanical properties,
merely as a consideration to Table 32.3, and to safeguard other = 0.0799 (Isc is in kA)
components, insulations and welded parts etc., used in the same

2
Generalizing,

5-
circuit.
I sc
¥

2-
To determine the minimum size of conductor for a t = 0.0799 for an operating temperature
required fault level, Isc, to account for the thermal effects A at 85∞ C and end temperature on (28.2)

64
one can use the following formula to determine the fault at 185∞ C

01
minimum size of conductor for any fault level:
Therefore, for the same parameters as in Example 28.2

-9
2
ÊI ˆ
q t = k ◊ sc ◊ (1 + µ 20 q ) ◊ t (28.1) A= 50 ¥ 1
625.8 mm 2

81
100 Ë A ¯ 0.0799
where A small difference, if any, between this and that calculated
:
BN
qt = temperature rise (in ∞C) above may be due to approximation and interpolation only.
Isc = symmetrical fault current r.m.s. (in Amps) This minimum conductor size will take account of
IS

A = cross-sectional area of the conductor (in mm2) the heating effects during the fault, irrespective of the
µ20 = temperature coefficient of resistance at 20∞C/∞C, current rating of the conductor. This much conductor
which as in Table 30.1 is 0.00403 for pure size is essential for this fault level even for very low
al

aluminium and 0.00363 for aluminium alloys and current ratings. However, the required conductor size
w

0.00393 for pure copper may be more than this also, depending upon the continuous
ra

q = operating temperature of the conductor at which current it has to carry, as discussed later.
Ag

the fault occurs (in ∞C)

k = 1.166 for aluminium and 0.52 for copper Example 28.3
C.

t = duration of fault (in seconds) If the conductor is of copper then, assuming the same
parameters,
K.

2
Ê ˆ
Example 28.2 100 = 0.52 ¥ Á 50 000 ˜ ¥ (1 + 0.00393 ¥ 85) ¥ 1
Determine the minimum conductor size for a fault level of 50 100 Ë A ¯
:
or

kA for one second for an aluminium conductor.

Assuming the temperature rise to be 100∞C and the initial Ê 0.52 ˆ
¥ 1.33405 ˜
th

temperature of the conductor at the instant of the fault 85∞C then or A = 50 000 ¥ Á
Ë 100 100 ¯
Au

2
Ê 50 000 ˆ
100 = 1.166 ¥ Á ˜ ¥ (1 + 0.00403 ¥ 85) ¥ 1 = 416 mm2
100 Ë A ¯
2 Copper is two thirds the size of aluminium for the same
Ê 50 000 ˆ
or 100 = 1.166 ¥ Á ˜ ¥ 1.34255 parameters. The melting point of copper at almost 1083∞C
100 Ë A ¯ (Table 30.1) is approximately 1.5 times that of aluminium
at 660∞C. These melting points are also located on the
or A = 50 000 ¥ 1.166 ¥ 1.34255 nomograms in Figure 28.6. Refer to nomograms (a) and
100
(b) for aluminium and (c) for copper conductors. The

625.6 mm2 for pure aluminium same area can also be obtained from the copper curves
or
617.6 mm2 for alloys of aluminium
of Figure 28.5. Assuming the same end temperature at
185∞C, then corresponding to the operating curve of 85∞C,
(assuming a20 = 0.00363)
I sc
The standard size of aluminium flat nearest to this is 50.8 t = 0.12 (28.3)
A
and for the same parameters as in Example 28.3,
*Welding of flexible joints should preferably be carried out with 50 1 = 0.12
high-injection pressing (welding by press heating), eliminating the A
use of welding rods. or A
416.7 mm2