GUIDE TO

LOW VOLTAGE
BUSBAR TRUNKING
SYSTEMS

BEAMAInstallation Ltd

ABOUT BEAMAInstallation
BEAMAInstallation is an independent, incorporated association of manufacturers
of electrical installation equipment and cable management products, representing
95% of the industry.
Its roots go back to the early days of the electrotechnical industry.
During 1972 EIEMA was formed from the Electrical Installation Equipment
Department of BEAMA The British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers
Association. April 2003 saw the creation of BEAMAInstallation Limited through the
merger between EIEMA (the Electrical Installation Equipment Manufacturers
Association) and BESA (the British Electrical Systems Association).
BEAMAInstallation has many members - from UK divisions of large multi-nationals
to small owner-managed niche market companies. The association is organised into
these product groups:

Single Phase Product Group (SPPG)

Wiring accessories, MCBs, RCDs, consumer units.

Industrial Products Group (IPG)

Fuses, distribution boards (standard), switch & fusegear, MCCBs
(as well as MCBs and RCDs), ACBs, industrial plugs and sockets.

Engineered Systems Product Group (ESPG)

Low voltage switchboards, busbar trunking systems (busduct) products.

Cable Management Product Group (CMPG)

Cable trunking, cable tray and Powertrack systems.

Cutout & Feeder Pillar Group (COFP)

Cut-outs, feeder pillars.

Benefits of membership fall into two broad categories - representation and

access to association services. The main areas in which the association represents its
members are in legislative and standardisation matters. The former is by established
relationships with appropriate government/EU departments in London and Brussels,
through BEAMA and various European manufacturers groups including ORGALIME,
the European Federation for Engineering.
Acknowledgements
BEAMAInstallation would like to
thank IEC and BSI for allowing
references to their standards.

This publication is available at 15

plus postage and packing

Active participation in the work of numerous national, international and

European standards committees has ensured the safety and performance of the
design, development and manufacture of BEAMAInstallation members products.
The result is quality equipment of the highest standard throughout each
association group.
Other services include legal, statistics and export support. The association is also
a channel for liaison with customer associations such as the Electrical Distributors
Association (EDA) and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA).

CONTENTS

About BEAMAInstallation
Preface
1

Use and Application

1.1

Distribution trunking

1.2

Feeder trunking

1.3

Tap-off units

1.4

Fire-stops

1.5

Protective earth conductor sizes

1.6

Low-noise earth systems

1.7

Neutral sizes/harmonics

1.8

Neutral conductor sizing for commercial loads

1.9

Implications of specifying and using a 200% rated neutral

1.10

Typical areas of application

Technical Specifications
2.1

Performance under short-circuit conditions

2.1.1

Rating under short-circuit conditions

2.1.2

Type testing

2.1.3

Application

2.2

Voltage drop

Installation & Site testing

3.1

Transport, storage and installation

3.2

Inspection/test before installation

3.3

Making joints

3.4

Inspection/test after installation

3.5

Certification & reporting

3.6

Safe working with busbar trunking systems

Useful Definitions

BEAMAInstallation Busbar Trunking Manufacturers

2
3

10

13

16

PREFACE

he object for this guide is to provide an easily understood document, aiding

interpretation of the requirements to which Busbar Trunking products are

designed and how they should be safely installed and used in service.
Principally, these requirements are detailed in BS EN 60439-2:2000 (IEC 604392:2000) and for a more thorough understanding this guide should be read in
conjunction with this standard.
The guide seeks to provide an understanding of the standard, accompanied by some
typical examples as foreseen for the general products available from
BEAMAInstallation member Companies.
Certain additional information has been included regarding:

Use

Application

Installation

Site testing

Safe working with busbar trunking systems.

It is the intention of BEAMAInstallation to review this guide periodically, to reflect

changes in related specifications, product standards and working practices.
In addition to the above standards the following are applicable for the design,
installation and use of Busbar Trunking Systems:
BS EN 60439-1:1999

(IEC 60439-1:1999)

Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Assemblies: Requirements for Type Tested
and Partially Type Tested Assemblies
BS 7671:2001

(IEC 60364)

Requirements for Electrical Installations (IEE Wiring Regulations 16th Edition).

BS 6423:1983
Code of practice for Maintenance of Electrical Switchgear and Controlgear up to and
including 1000V.
BS EN 60529:1992

(IEC 60529:1992)

Specification for Degrees of Protection provided by Enclosures (IP Code).

European Directives
Busbar trunking systems come within the scope of 73/23/EEC Low Voltage
Directive, as amended by 93/68/EEC (CE Marking Directive), and UK Low Voltage
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994.
BS EN 13601:2002
Copper and copper alloys: copper rod, bar and wire for general electrical purposes
BS 1474:1987
Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys for electrical purposes: bars and sections

USE AND
APPLICATION
1.0

Modern electrical installations are placing increasing demands on all products of the
electrical equipment manufacturer.
Products must have:

Reliable service life

Adaptability to new requirements

Low installation costs

Low maintenance costs

Inherent safety features

Minimal purchase cost

Energy efficiency

In todays market one of the most important elements is cost effectiveness. In an

electrical installation, one area where savings can be made and provide the features
listed above is in the use of busbar trunking systems.
Busbar trunking installations can be categorised into two basic types: Distribution
and Feeder.

1.1 DISTRIBUTION TRUNKING

This is the most common use of busbar trunking and is applied to distribute power
over a predetermined area. Busbar trunking can be run vertically or horizontally, or
a combination of both.
Typical applications would be:

Supply to large numbers of light fittings

Power distribution around factories and offices

Rising main in office blocks or apartment blocks to supply distribution boards

serving individual floors.

Power is taken from busbar trunking by the use of tap off units which connect at
defined positions along the busbar trunking, and allow power to be taken from the
system, usually via a suitable protective device.
Advantages over cable:

The contractor can achieve savings with respect to material i.e. cable trays and
multiple fixings and also labour costs associated with multiple runs of cable.

Reduced installation time since busbar trunking requires less fixings per metre run
than cable.

Multiple tap-off outlets allow flexibility to accommodate changes in power

requirements subsequent to the initial installation (subject to the rating of the
busbar trunking).

Repositioning of distribution outlets is simpler.

System is easily extendable.

Engineered product with proven performance.

Type tested to recognised international and national standards.

Aesthetically pleasing in areas of high visibility.

1.2 FEEDER TRUNKING

When used for the interconnection between switchboards or switchboard and
transformer, busbar trunking systems are more economical to use, particularly for
the higher current ratings, where multiple single core cables are used to achieve the
current rating and compliance with voltage drop and voltage dip requirements.
Advantages over cable:

Greater mechanical strength over long runs with minimal fixings resulting in
shorter installation times.

Replaces multiple runs of cable with their associated supporting metalwork.

Easier to install compared to multiples of large cables with all of the associated
handling problems.

Less termination space required in switchboards.

Type tested short circuit fault ratings.

Takes up less overall space, bends and offsets can be installed in a much smaller
area than the equivalent cable space.

Cable jointer not required.

Busbar trunking systems may be dismantled and re-used in other areas

Busbar trunking systems provide a better resistance to the spread of fire.

Voltage drop and voltage dip in the majority of cases is lower than the equivalent
cable arrangement.

Typical busbar layout

Medium power
busbar trunking

Switchboard

Small power
busbar trunking

Tap-off feeding
secondary
busbar distribution

1.3 TAP-OFF UNITS

Tap-off units are of two types, either plug-in or fixed. Plug-in units are designed to be
accommodated at tap-off outlets at intervals along the distribution busbar trunking.
Fixed tap-off outlets are engineered and positioned during manufacture to suit the
specified installation.
The tap-off unit usually contains the device providing protection to the outgoing
circuit terminated at the unit to distribute power to the required load. There are
various types of protective devices, for example:
a) HRC fuses to BS EN 60269-1 (BS88)
b) Miniature Circuit Breakers to BS EN 60898
c) Moulded Case Circuit Breakers to BS EN 60947-2

Typical plug-in
tap off unit installed on
Busbar Trunking Unit

HRC fuses may be incorporated

into fuse combination units to BS
EN 60947-3.
The

degree

of

enclosure

protection of the tap-off unit is

defined by BS EN 60529.
Each tap-off unit contains the necessary safety features for systems and
personnel protection, as follows:

Plug-in units are arranged to be non-reversible to ensure that they can only be
connected to give the correct phase rotation.

Plug-in units are arranged to connect the protective circuit before the live
conductors during installation and disconnect the protective circuit after the live
conductors while being removed.

Where units are provided with a switch disconnector or circuit-breaker these are
capable of being locked in the OFF position.

Covers permitting access to live parts can only be removed by the use of a tool
and will have any internally exposed live parts shielded to a minimum of IP2X or
IPXXB in accordance with BS EN 60529.

Outgoing connection is achieved by cable terminations in the unit or by socket

outlets to BS EN 60309-2 or BS 1363.

1.4 FIRE-STOPS
Recommendations for the construction of fire-stops and barriers where trunking
penetrates walls and floors classified as fire barriers.
Internally the trunking may or may not require fire-stop measures according to the
construction; where they are required these will generally be factory-fitted by the
manufacturer and positioned according to a schematic drawing for the installation.
Compact or sandwich-type trunking does not require internal fire-barriers, as
suitability as a fire-barrier is inherent in the design. However in all cases verification of
the performance of the trunking under fire conditions needs to be provided by the
manufacturer.
The following information is provided for guidance, and the method used
should be agreed with the trunking manufacturer. It is not the responsibility of
the trunking manufacturer to provide the specification or detail the rating or
construction of the fire-stop external to the trunking.

1.5 PROTECTIVE EARTH CONDUCTOR SIZES

The sealing external to the busbar trunking (with or without an internal fire barrier)
will need to conform to applicable building regulations. This may require filling the
aperture around the busbar trunking with material to maintain the same fire proofing
as the wall or floor.
Careful consideration needs to be given to the access required to complete the firestop. It may be necessary to install sections of fire-stop at the stage of installation of
the trunking if access afterwards is impossible e.g. trunking runs in close proximity.
The protective earth connection(s) to the busbar trunking system shall conform to
Section 543-01 of BS 7671 (IEE Wiring Regulations Sixteenth Edition).
1.6 LOW-NOISE EARTH SYSTEMS
A low-noise earth, commonly referred to as a clean earth, is typically specified when
electronic apparatus supplied from the system is sensitive to spurious voltages arising
on the system earth. This is particularly true with IT equipment, found in all
commercial premises these days, where data processing functions can be corrupted.
The low-noise earth is provided by a conductor separated from the protective earth
(PE) and from all extraneous earth paths throughout the distribution system.
Many busbar trunking systems provide a clean earth conductor in addition to the
three phase conductors plus neutral, using the case or an external conductor as PE.
Tap-off units must be specified as clean earth for the circuits concerned since the
separation of the earths must be maintained and an additional termination will be
provided for the load circuit clean earth conductor.
Sizing of the clean earth conductor is not specified in BS 7671 (IEE Wiring
Regulations Sixteenth Edition) but the usual practice is to calculate the size in the
same way as for the protective earth conductor.
1.7 NEUTRAL SIZES/HARMONICS
The designer of the electrical network specifies the size of the neutral conductor
depending upon the network loading. Typically this tends to be a neutral conductor
the same size as the phase conductors (i.e.100% neutral).

As a minimum a 50%

neutral may be specified.

The BS 7671 (IEE Wiring Regulations Sixteenth Edition) states In a discharge
lighting circuit and polyphase circuits where the harmonic content of the phase
currents is greater than 10% of the fundamental current, the neutral conductor
shall have a cross-sectional area not less than that of the phase conductor(s).
With the increase of non-linear (almost anything electronic) single phase loads
connected to a network, for example electronic ballasts in lighting fittings, or switchmode power supplies (the type found in personal computers and servers) the total
harmonic distortion is increased.

1.8 NEUTRAL CONDUCTOR SIZING FOR COMMERCIAL LOADS

It has been established using typical waveforms for switch-mode power supplies that
the third harmonic is approximately 70% of the fundamental. If it is assumed that the
loading of the three phases is balanced with similar load characteristics, the rms phase
and neutral currents can be approximated as follows:
I phase = (I12 + I32) _ = (1.02 + 0.72) 12 = 1.22
I neutral = (I3 + I3 + I3) = (0.7 + 0.7 + 0.7) = 2.1
I neutral / I phase = 2.1/1.22 = 1.72
The neutral current in this case will be 172% of the rms phase current magnitude.
The conclusion from this calculation is that the neutral conductors in circuits
supplying totally electronic single phase loads should have almost twice the capacity of
the phase conductors.
The above represents the worst case condition, in practice the proportion of
electronic loading to total loading must be established to allow correct sizing of the
neutral. This factor must also be taken into account in the case of existing
installations that are being refurbished, extended or a change of use occurs affecting
the network loading.
1.9 IMPLICATIONS OF HIGH HARMONIC CURRENTS
AND NEUTRAL RATING
By specifying and using a 200% rated neutral conductor throughout the system, the
heating effect and possible overloading from the harmonic current does not occur.
However neutral currents will continue to generate voltage distortion and
neutralearth potentials and the phase conductors will continue to transmit and
suffer the ill effects of harmonic current.

An oversized neutral conductor does not

therefore address the cause but rather the symptom.

The 200% neutral design philosophy will have to apply to the whole of the busbar
system including tap-offs and associated devices in the neutral. Busbar trunking
manufacturers may provide oversized devices in order to accommodate the high
Note: To meet the requirements of
Electricity Association Engineering
Recommendation G5/41, electrical system
designers have the responsibility to help
ensure the user of the electrical network
does not pollute the electrical supply
(in other countries different national
requirements may apply). Additional
equipment may be considered to remove
the harmonics from the neutral.
Typically, this may be active harmonic
filters, connected at load source will then
allow the use and connection of standard
(100% rated) equipment and compliance
with BS7671. See IEE Guidance Note 1;
Section 6.3 - neutral conductors.

neutral current, or, in extreme cases, use parallel devices to meet the specification.
The extra heat produced in the neutral conductors within a busbar system leads to the
need for temperature de-rating factors to be applied to the standard designs of busbar
systems. Typical de-rating figures that may need to be applied as in the table below:

Neutral current due to harmonics

Rating factor
100% neutral

200% neutral

50%In

0.96

0.98

100%In

0.87

0.93

150%In

0.85

1.10 TYPICAL AREAS OF APPLICATION

Offices

Hospitals

Electrical Generation

Apartments

Shopping Centres

Petrochemical Industries

Schools

Factories

Oil & Gas Platforms

Hotels

TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
2.0

2.1

PERFORMANCE UNDER SHORT-CIRCUIT CONDITIONS

Busbar trunking systems to BS EN 60439-2 are designed to withstand the effects of

short-circuit currents resulting from a fault at any load point in the system, e.g. at a
tap-off outlet or at the end of a feeder run.
2.1.1 RATING UNDER SHORT-CIRCUIT CONDITIONS
The withstand ability will be expressed in one or more of the following ways:
a) short-time withstand rating (current and time).
b) peak current withstand rating.
c) conditional short-circuit rating when protected by one or more short-circuit
protective device(s) (SCPDs) or (SCPD) where appropriate.
These ratings are explained in more detail:
a) Short-time withstand rating
This is an expression of the value of rms current that the system can withstand for a
specified period of time without being adversely affected such as to prevent further
service. Typically the period of time associated with a short-circuit fault current will
be 1 or 3 seconds, however other time periods may be applicable.
The rated value of current may be anywhere from about 10kA up to 50kA or more
according to the construction and thermal rating of the system.
b) Peak current withstand rating
This defines the peak current, occurring virtually instantaneously, that the system can
withstand, this being the value that exerts the maximum stress on the supporting
insulation.
In an a.c. system rated in terms of short-time withstand current, the peak current
rating must be at least equal to the peak current produced by the natural asymmetry
occurring at the initiation of a fault current in an inductive circuit. This peak is
dependent on the power-factor of the circuit under fault conditions and can exceed
the value of the steady state fault current by a factor of up to 2.2 times.
c) Conditional short-circuit rating
Short-circuit protective devices (SCPDs) are commonly current-limiting devices; that
is they are able to respond to a fault current within the first few milliseconds and
prevent the current rising to its prospective peak value. This applies to HRC fuses
and many circuit breakers in the instantaneous tripping mode. Advantage is taken of
these current limiting properties in the rating of busbar trunking for high prospective
fault levels. The condition is that the specified SCPD (fuse or circuit breaker) is
installed upstream of the trunking.
Each of the ratings above takes into account the two major effects of a fault current,
these being heat and electromagnetic force. The heating effect needs to be limited to
avoid damage to supporting insulation. The electromagnetic effect produces forces

10

between the busbars, which stress the supporting mechanical structure, including
vibrational forces on a.c. The only satisfactory way to verify the quoted ratings, is by
means of a type test to the British Standard.
2.1.2 TYPE TESTING
Busbar trunking systems are tested in accordance with BS EN 60439-2 to establish
one or more of the short-circuit withstand ratings defined above. In the case of
short-time rating the specified current is applied for the specified time. A separate
test may be required to establish the peak withstand current if the quoted value is
not obtained during the short-time test. In the case of a conditional rating with a

a
dc

specified SCPD, the test is conducted with the full prospective current value at the

En

it
un
f
f
po
Ta

trunking feeder unit and not less than 105% rated voltage, since the SCPD (fuse or
circuit-breaker) will be voltage dependent in terms of let through energy.
2.1.3 APPLICATION
It is necessary for the system designer to determine the prospective fault current at
every relevant point in the installation by calculation, measurement or based on
information provided, e.g. by the supply authority. The method for this is well
established, in general terms being the source voltage divided by the circuit
impedance to each point. The designer will then select protective devices at each

p
Ta

i
un
off

point where a circuit change occurs, e.g. between a feeder and a distribution run of a
lower current rating. The device selected must operate within the limits of the busbar
trunking short-circuit withstand. The time delay settings of any circuit-breaker must
be within the specified short time quoted for the prospective fault current. Any
SCPD used against a conditional short-circuit rating must have energy limitation not
exceeding that of the quoted SCPD. For preference the SCPD recommended by the
trunking manufacturer should be used.
2.2

p
Ta

ni
ff u

d
en
le it
b
Ca un
d
fee

VOLTAGE DROP

The requirements for voltage drop are given in BS 7671:Regulation 525-01-02. For
busbar trunking systems the method of calculating voltage drop is given in BS EN
60439-2 from which the following guidance notes have been prepared.
Voltage drop

Figures for voltage drop for busbar trunking systems are given in the
manufacturers literature.

Figures are expressed in volts or milli-volts per metre or 100 metres, allowing a
simple calculation for a given length of run.

Typical Busbar
Riser Application

Figures are usually given as line-to-line voltage drop for a 3 phase balanced load.

Figures take into account resistance of joints and temperature of conductors and
assume the system is fully loaded.

11

Standard data
BS EN 60439-2 requires the manufacturer to provide the following data for the
purposes of calculation, where necessary:
R20 the mean ohmic resistance of the system, unloaded, at 20C per metre per phase.
X

the mean reactance of the system, per metre per phase.

For systems rated over 630A:

RT

the mean ohmic resistance when loaded at rated current per metre per phase.

Application
In general the voltage drop figures provided by the manufacturer are used directly to
establish the total voltage drop on a given system; however this will give a pessimistic
result in the majority of cases.
Where a more precise calculation is required (e.g. for a very long run or where the
voltage level is more critical) advantage may be taken of the basic data to obtain a
more exact figure.
i) Resistance - the actual current is usually lower than the rated current and hence
the resistance of the conductors will be lower due to the reduced operating
temperature.
Rx = R20 [1+0.004 (Tc - 20)] ohms/metre and Tc is approximately Ta + Tr
where Rx is the actual conductor resistance.
Ta is the ambient temperature
Tr is the full load temperature rise in C (assume say 55C)
ii) Power factor - the load power factor will influence the voltage drop according
to the resistance and reactance of the busbar trunking itself.
The voltage drop line-to-line (v) is calculated as follows:
v = 3 I (R x cos + X sin ) volts/metre
where I is the load current and Rx is the actual conductor resistance (/m)
X is the conductor reactance (/m)
cos is the load power factor
sin = sin (cos-1 )
iii) Distributed load - where the load is tapped off the busbar trunking along its
length this may also be taken into account by calculating the voltage drop for each
section.
As a rule of thumb the full load voltage drop may be divided by 2 to give the
approximate voltage drop at the end of a system with distributed load.
iv) Frequency - the manufacturers data will generally give reactance (X) at 50Hz for
mains supply in the UK. At any other frequency the reactance should be re-calculated.
Xf = XF/50
where Xf is the reactance at frequency f in Hz

12

INSTALLATION
& SITE TESTING

3.0

3.1

TRANSPORT STORAGE & INSTALLATION

The conditions should be no worse than the normal service conditions as BS EN

60439-2, with particular regard to temperature and humidity.
As typically the electrical connections are not protected (IP00) until installation is
complete, the components must be protected from dust/water and
condensation/corrosive materials, such protection may not be provided by
manufacturers packaging.
Suitable handling equipment should be used, appropriate to the weight and size of the
busbar trunking.
Busbar systems must be fixed to the building in accordance with manufacturers
instructions.
3.2

INSPECTION/TEST BEFORE INSTALLATION

All components should be checked for mechanical damage and insulation resistance
before installation.
3.3

MAKING JOINTS

As the electrical joints may be carrying high currents, the contact surfaces must be
clean and particular care taken with alignment while the connections are made - best
practice must be employed when making electrical connections.

Since the current-

carrying capacity is very dependent on contact pressure the torque settings specified
by the manufacturer must be used.
3.4

INSPECTION/TEST AFTER INSTALLATION

The correct time to make the Initial Verification/Inspection to BS 7671, and any
additional requirements from manufacturers instructions, is during installation and
not as a preliminary to commissioning.
To check that the installation has been made correctly, and to provide records for
comparison during maintenance, the following should be considered:
(a) INSULATION RESISTANCE BS 7671 requires the insulation resistance of a
complete system to be checked, and sets minimum values. The measured value
not only depends on the quality of the insulation and length of the busbar system,
but can also be affected by for example, ingress of moisture.
(b) DIELECTRIC (FLASH) This test is made in the factory using voltage specified in
the busbar Standard BS EN 60439-2. It is not advisable to repeat on an installed
busbar trunking due to the safety hazards from high voltages and currents (2500V
50Hz at 3000mA is typical).

If the client requires a test then the safety hazards

can be reduced by the use of 2500V dc at 1mA.

13

It is essential to discharge the stored capacitance following such a test.

(c) EXTERNAL SURFACE TEMPERATURE One method of monitoring
performance of busbar trunking is to take a temperature profile during
Note: A typical temperature rise of
the external surface of 55K at full
rated current may be expected.

commissioning under typical load conditions.

Periodically repeat checks of the

temperature profile are then made for comparison.

3.5

INSTALLATION CERTIFICATION & REPORTING

Required by Chapter 74 of BS 7671 and Code 28 of BS 6423

(a) AS PART OF COMMISSIONING An Electrical Installation Certificate to be
signed by the Clients Consulting Engineer as the designer, electrical contractor as
the constructor, and electrical contractor as the tester. Advice and
recommendations on the results may be requested from the manufacturer(s).
(b) AS PART OF MAINTENANCE - Periodic Inspection Report to be signed by the
electrical contractor as the tester. Advice and recommendations on the results
may be requested from the manufacturer(s).
3.6

SAFE WORKING WITH BUSBAR TRUNKING SYSTEMS

First and foremost within the UK, the requirements of The Electricity At Work
Regulations 1989, must be complied with; Regulation 14 is particularly pertinent and
requires:
No person shall be engaged in any work activity on or so near any live
conductor (other than one suitably covered with insulating material so as to
prevent danger) that danger may arise unless: a) it is unreasonable in all the circumstances for it to be dead; and
b) it is reasonable in all the circumstances for him to be at work on or near it
while it is live; and
c) suitable precautions (including where necessary the provision of suitable
protective equipment) are taken to prevent injury.

Regulation 4(4) in particular also applies to the provision and use of protective
equipment. Effectively this means that, where live working is being contemplated, a
risk assessment and judgement must be made for every situation by the Duty
Holder*. This must take account of all relevant factors, some of which include:

the effectiveness of isolating equipment,

Correctly secured isolation of the supply is the most effective safety
precaution against electric shock and inadvertent short-circuits during work
on the equipment.

14

NOTE: For further reference see

HSE publication Electricity at Work
Safe working practices HS(G)85.

the task to be performed,

the skill level of the personnel carrying out the work,

use of correct tools, instruments and other work equipment,

use of warning signs, etc.

Manufacturers cannot give all-embracing assurances for safe working with the system
live. This can only be determined on a case by case basis depending on the work to
be done.

*Duty Holder: The term used within the Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 to refer to
the person appointed to be responsible for the electrical equipment, systems and conductors
and any work or activities being carried out on or near electrical equipment. The Duty
Holder must be competent and may be the employer, an employee, or a self-employed
person.

15

4.0

USEFUL DEFINITIONS

Busbar Trunking System:

A totally enclosed electrical distribution
system comprising solid conductors separated
by insulated materials.
Distribution Busbar Trunking:
Busbar trunking having tap-off points on one
or more faces
Feeder Busbar Trunking:
Straight busbar trunking with no tap-off
facilities.
Angle Unit:
Busbar trunking, which enables the system to
change direction.
End Feed Unit:
Busbar trunking unit as an incoming unit to
permit connection of supply cables.
Make-up Piece:
A custom-engineered trunking unit to
complete a trunking system (made to
measure).
Busbar Trunking Conductor
Expansion Unit:
A busbar trunking unit permitting axial
movement of the busbar conductors due to
the differing coefficients of expansion for
differing material.
Busbar Trunking Building
Expansion Unit:
A busbar trunking unit permitting enclosure
and conductor movement to compensate for
structural displacement.

16

Busbar Trunking Phase

Transposition Unit:
A busbar trunking unit which changes the
relative positions of the phase conductors
within the enclosure to balance inductive
reactance or to facilitate connection between
items of fixed equipment.
Busbar Trunking Adapter
(Reducer)Unit:
A busbar trunking unit for connecting two
elements of the same system but of a
different type or current rating.
Busbar Trunking Fire Barrier:
A busbar trunking unit intended to prevent
the propagation of fire through a wall or
floor, for a specified time.
Tap-Off Outlet:
A location on a busbar trunking unit, which
permits the connection of external loads to
the busbar system via the appropriate tap-off
unit.
Tap-Off Unit:
An outgoing unit for tapping off power from
a busbar trunking system. (see page 3).
Flanged-end (Flange)
A connection unit for terminating a trunking
system at a switchboard or transformer.

BUSDUCT
MANUFACTURERS
Eaton Cutler Hammer
Reddings Lane, Tyseley
Birmingham, West Midlands
B11 3EZ United Kingdom
T +44 (0) 121 685 2100
F +44 (0) 121 706 2012
E [email protected]
W www.cutler-hammer.eaton.com/global/UK
Eaton MEM
Reddings Lane, Tyseley
Birmingham, West Midlands
B11 3EZ United Kingdom
T +44 (0) 121 685 2100
F +44 (0) 121 706 2012
E [email protected]
W www.memonline.com
Merlin Gerin LV Equipment
Stafford Park 5, Telford
Shropshire TF3 3BL
United Kingdom
T +44 (0) 1952 290 029
F +44 (0) 1952 290 534
W www.schneider.co.uk

Siemens Busbar Trunking Systems Ltd

PO Box 35, Gatehouse Close
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
HP19 8DH United Kingdom
T +44 (0) 1296 717817
F +44 (0) 1296 339969
W www.siemens.co.uk
Square D
Stafford Park 5, Telford
Shropshire TF3 3BL
United Kingdom
T +44 (0) 1952 290 029
F +44 (0) 1952 290 534
W www.squared.co.uk

GUIDE TO
LOW VOLTAGE
BUSBAR TRUNKING
SYSTEMS

An BEAMAInstallation Publication
Issue No2
BEAMAInstallation Ltd
Westminster Tower
3 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7SL
Telephone: 020 7793 3013
Fax: 020 7793 3003
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.beamainstallation.org.uk
Other publications from BEAMAInstallation:
Guide to the IP Codes for Enclosures
Guide to Switch & Fusegear Devices
Guide to Fuse Link Applications
Guide to Circuit Breaker Standards
Guide to Forms of Separation
Guide to Type Tested Assemblies and Partially Type Tested Assemblies
RCD Handbook