GB2163300A

GB2163300A - A busbar support

Info

Publication number: GB2163300A
Application number: GB08420062A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Yeo Hock Liang
Original assignee: TRIAD ENTERPRISES Pte Ltd
Current assignee: TRIAD ENTERPRISES Pte Ltd
Priority date: 1984-08-07
Filing date: 1984-08-07
Publication date: 1986-02-19
Also published as: GB2163300B; GB8420062D0

Abstract

A busbar support 1 comprises an elongate electrically insulating member having four pairs of busbar receiving channels 2 extending transversely of the length. Sidewalls of each channel 2 extend along an arcuate path so that each channel is wider at the ends thereof than in the middle to allow for vibration of the busbar. Alternatively the channel may be narrower at one end. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Busbar support THIS INVENTION relates to a busbar support.

When conventional busbar supports are used, vibration of a busbar which may occur, for example, in the event of an electrical failure, may be sufficient to cause breakage of either the busbar or the busbar support.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a busbar support which overcomes or at least mitigates the disadvantages of conventional busbar supports.

According to the present invention, there is provided a busbar support, comprising an elongage electrically insulating member having a plurality of channels extending transversely of the length thereof, each channel being arranged to receive a busbar and being of non-uniform width along the length of the channel to allow for vibration of the busbar.

Preferably, each channel is wider at the end thereof than in the middle thereof and usually the walls of each channel extend along an arcuate path. Preferably, the maximum width of each channel is 1.09 times the smallest width thereof. Conveniently, each channel is rectangular in cross-section.

Normally, the busbar support is formed of glass-reinforced plastics material, such as glass-reinforced duroplastic polyester-BMC.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a busbar support in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an eniarged top plan view of part of the busbar support of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is a side-elevational view of the busbar support.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a busbar support 1 in accordance with the invention.

The busbar support 1 comprises an elongate substantially rectangular cross-section member having eight busbar receiving grooves or channels 2 extending transversely thereof, the channels 2 being arranged in four pairs.

Three circular cross-section bores 3 extending through the busbar support in a direction perpendicular to the grooves or channels 2 are provided to receive bolts or the like to secure the busbar support 1 to a mounting surface (not shown). Each bore 3 has an eniarge diameter end region 3a for accepting the head of a bolt or the like.

As seen most clearly from Fig. 2, the side walls 2a of the grooves or channels 2 extend along arcurate paths so that the grooves or channels 2 are of larger width at the ends thereof than in the middle thereof. Of course, the side walls of the channels 2 may be of any shape which would provide end regions which are of larger width than the middle of the channel. Thus, the side walls of the channels may be discontinuous, for example each formed by two intersecting planes, rather than smoothly curved as shown in the drawing.

The channels 2 are therefore so shaped that a vibration node is provided at the centre of each groove or channel while the ends of the channels are of sufficient width to allow busbars received therein to vibrate transversely of their length in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the busbar support. Thus, when such a busbar support 1 is used, the busbars supported thereby may vibrate, for example in the event of electrical failure, without risk of breakage or other damage to the busbars or the support.

Typically, the busbar support 1 made of glass-reinforced Duroplastic polyester-BMC and is approximately 420 mm in length and the channels or grooves 2 are symmetrically positioned along the length of the support bar, there being a distance of approximately 75mm between each pair of grooves or channels. The grooves or channels 2 are of substantially rectangular cross-section and are approximately 1 Omm deep, the maximum width of each channel being approximately 1 2mm and the minimum width of each channel being approximately 11 mm so that the maximum width is approximately 1.09 times the minimum width of the channel. Each pair of channels 2 is arranged so that the minimum width across the pair of channels is approximately 30 mm.The bores 3 for receiving the securing bolts or the like are approximately 10 mm in diameter, the enlarged end portion 3a of each bore being approximately 20mm in diameter. Typically, the busbar support is of 35mm square cross-section.

It should, of course, be appreciated that any channel which is shaped so as to be of nonuniform width along its length so as to provide a vibration node for a busbar supported in the channel could be used in place of the channels shown in the drawing, for example, the channels could taper to one end so providing the vibration node at one end of the channel. However, it should be appreciated that a channel which is wider at the ends than is the middle is preferable because it both ensures adequate support of the busbars while at the same time allowing vibration thereof.

1. A bus bar support, comprising an elongate electrically insulating member having a plurality of channels extending transversely of the length thereof, each channel being arranged to receive a busbar and being of nonuniform width along the length of the channel

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Busbar support THIS INVENTION relates to a busbar support. When conventional busbar supports are used, vibration of a busbar which may occur, for example, in the event of an electrical failure, may be sufficient to cause breakage of either the busbar or the busbar support. It is an object of the present invention to provide a busbar support which overcomes or at least mitigates the disadvantages of conventional busbar supports. According to the present invention, there is provided a busbar support, comprising an elongage electrically insulating member having a plurality of channels extending transversely of the length thereof, each channel being arranged to receive a busbar and being of non-uniform width along the length of the channel to allow for vibration of the busbar. Preferably, each channel is wider at the end thereof than in the middle thereof and usually the walls of each channel extend along an arcuate path. Preferably, the maximum width of each channel is 1.09 times the smallest width thereof. Conveniently, each channel is rectangular in cross-section. Normally, the busbar support is formed of glass-reinforced plastics material, such as glass-reinforced duroplastic polyester-BMC. For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a busbar support in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an eniarged top plan view of part of the busbar support of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is a side-elevational view of the busbar support. Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a busbar support 1 in accordance with the invention. The busbar support 1 comprises an elongate substantially rectangular cross-section member having eight busbar receiving grooves or channels 2 extending transversely thereof, the channels 2 being arranged in four pairs. Three circular cross-section bores 3 extending through the busbar support in a direction perpendicular to the grooves or channels 2 are provided to receive bolts or the like to secure the busbar support 1 to a mounting surface (not shown). Each bore 3 has an eniarge diameter end region 3a for accepting the head of a bolt or the like. As seen most clearly from Fig. 2, the side walls 2a of the grooves or channels 2 extend along arcurate paths so that the grooves or channels 2 are of larger width at the ends thereof than in the middle thereof. Of course, the side walls of the channels 2 may be of any shape which would provide end regions which are of larger width than the middle of the channel. Thus, the side walls of the channels may be discontinuous, for example each formed by two intersecting planes, rather than smoothly curved as shown in the drawing. The channels 2 are therefore so shaped that a vibration node is provided at the centre of each groove or channel while the ends of the channels are of sufficient width to allow busbars received therein to vibrate transversely of their length in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the busbar support. Thus, when such a busbar support 1 is used, the busbars supported thereby may vibrate, for example in the event of electrical failure, without risk of breakage or other damage to the busbars or the support. Typically, the busbar support 1 made of glass-reinforced Duroplastic polyester-BMC and is approximately 420 mm in length and the channels or grooves 2 are symmetrically positioned along the length of the support bar, there being a distance of approximately 75mm between each pair of grooves or channels. The grooves or channels 2 are of substantially rectangular cross-section and are approximately 1 Omm deep, the maximum width of each channel being approximately 1 2mm and the minimum width of each channel being approximately 11 mm so that the maximum width is approximately 1.09 times the minimum width of the channel. Each pair of channels 2 is arranged so that the minimum width across the pair of channels is approximately 30 mm.The bores 3 for receiving the securing bolts or the like are approximately 10 mm in diameter, the enlarged end portion 3a of each bore being approximately 20mm in diameter. Typically, the busbar support is of 35mm square cross-section. It should, of course, be appreciated that any channel which is shaped so as to be of nonuniform width along its length so as to provide a vibration node for a busbar supported in the channel could be used in place of the channels shown in the drawing, for example, the channels could taper to one end so providing the vibration node at one end of the channel. However, it should be appreciated that a channel which is wider at the ends than is the middle is preferable because it both ensures adequate support of the busbars while at the same time allowing vibration thereof. CLAIMS

1. A bus bar support, comprising an elongate electrically insulating member having a plurality of channels extending transversely of the length thereof, each channel being arranged to receive a busbar and being of nonuniform width along the length of the channel to allow for vibration of the busbar.

2. A busbar support according to Claim 1, wherein each channel is wider at the ends thereof than in the middle thereof.

3. A busbar support according to Claim 2, wherein of each channel has walls which extend along arcuate paths.

4. A busbar support according to Claim 3, wherein the greatest width of each channel is approximately 1.09 times the smallest width thereof.

5. A busbar support according to Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein each channel is rectangular in cross-section.

6. A busbar support according to any preceding claim, wherein four pairs of channels are provided in the electrically insulating member.

7. A busbar support according to any preceding claim where the elongate electrically insulted member is formed of glass-reinforced duroplastic polyester-BMC.

8. A busbar support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

9. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.