Prediction and comparison of size of the copper and aluminium bus duct system based on ampacity and temperature variations using MATLAB

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to propose an algorithm to predict and compare the sizes of the bus bar with materials like copper and aluminum by considering the allowable ampacity and allowable temperature rise with natural and forced convection cooling arrangement. Theoretical analysis is carried out with modified size of the copper bus bar using MATLAB, to analyze the ampacity and temperature variation under the natural and forced convection mode. The algebraic equation developed from thermal model is solved using MATLAB for the determination of the allowable temperature rise and ampacity of rectangular-section bus bars of copper and aluminum and also for different sizes of bus bar. An algorithm has been developed for the analysis. Experimental observations of temperature variation in copper bus bar with standard size under natural and forced cooling mode are validated with the algebraic equation developed from thermal model is solved using MATLAB. It is concluded that bus bar dimensions are compared for the materials copper and aluminum to predict the suitable equivalent dimensions for the same ampacity level and within the allowable temperature rise to reduce the cost of panel.