In an attempt to solve the biggest weakness of solar energy storage, the Italian company Energy Dome has secured funding for its CO2 Battery. The funds will go toward developing and demonstrating the technology which will greatly improve solar energy storage; something that is currently lacking with today’s batteries. Discover how it works and what the future might look like with more effective, low-cost solar energy storage.
About prvengineering
- Email: Rob.thomas@wsi-emarketing.com
- Nice Name: prvengineering
- Website: https://www.prv-engineering.co.uk
- Registered On :2024-09-18 08:23:17
- Logged in as: prvengineering
prvengineering Posts
If your business is involved in any form of manufacturing structural steelwork products, then you should be aware of BS EN 1090-1 CE Marking. Without this certification, you cannot legally run a steel manufacturing business as all products within the scope of this standard must be CE Marked when released to the market.
This harmonised European standard covering fabricated structural steelwork came into effect on 1 July 2014. BS EN 1090-1 involves the requirements for assessing and verifying product or service conformity in executing any steel and aluminium structures details.
Limitless clean energy has been a concept in development for what seems to be an eternity with little success. In recent weeks, we looked at portable nuclear micro-reactors and the UK’s plans to build nuclear fusion plants. Now, we are even closer to limitless clean energy as the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy has set an astonishing new record using the tokamak reactor.
Robotics and automation have made headlines in recent years, especially in the construction sector with some tremendous advancements. While robotics in construction may be deemed a game-changer, the technology has not yet exceeded expectations but it is promising nonetheless. Without creating too much hype, here’s a measured look at the capabilities and benefits of robotics in construction.
As precision engineering and fabrication specialists, we work across various sectors and that includes construction. As such, we keep our fingers on the pulse of any new developments and few are as exciting as 3D-printed homes. Previously considered a method for product prototyping, 3D printing has changed drastically in the last few years extending to building homes around the world and on Mars. Now, ICON and Lennar are building the biggest ever neighbourhood consisting of 3D-printed homes.
Deep hole drilling services are beneficial across several applications and require specialist equipment to maintain straightness and tolerances second to none. Oil and gas exploration equipment, armaments, aerospace equipment and engines are amongst the most common applications for deep hole drilling and machining processes.
Each of these industries needs enhanced hole qualities that are necessary for high-performance end products, such as landing gear that easily retracts. In this article, PRV explores how gun drilling works and highlights some of the benefits of quality deep hole drilling services.
Last week we wrote about potential nuclear fusion plants for the UK and what a positive impact they could have on the economy and environment. Staying on the topic of cleaner energy, former SpaceX engineers are developing the first-ever portable nuclear microreactors. These devices could deliver power to remote areas while the quick installation process makes them ideal for populated areas as well.
Scientists first demonstrated the incredible power of nuclear energy around 70 years ago, but nuclear fusion remained out of reach. As promising as it proves to be, the necessary technology to develop and build viable nuclear fusion power plants haven’t quite reached us, or has it?
In construction, concrete is used to form the foundations, columns, beams, slabs and other load-bearing elements. Today’s concrete is strong, durable, versatile and economical but it doesn’t compare to concrete from the Roman era. A recent discovery may be able to provide the answer to why it was so much stronger.
Busbars, or buss bars, are also known as busbar trunking systems that distribute electricity with greater ease and flexibility. They are often metallic strips made from copper, brass, or aluminium that ground and conduct electricity better than other more permanent forms of installation and distribution.
An electrical bus bar can be defined as a conductor or group of conductors that collect incoming electricity and distribute it to an outgoing feeder circuit. The choice of bus bar depends on different factors such as reliability, flexibility, costs and time. Here is everything you need to know.
Where Are Busbars Used?
Rather than branching the main supply at one location, busbars allow new circuits to branch off anywhere along the route of the busway. A busbar is used to connect high voltage equipment at electrical switchyards, and low voltage equipment in battery banks but it is also prominent in the automotive and defence sectors.
What Is A Copper Busbar?
Copper is a highly versatile material known for its low electrical and thermal resistance as well as superior mechanical strength. It also has a higher resistance to fatigue failure properties which makes copper a key component in busbars of electrical utilities. This includes switchgear, panel boards, and busway enclosures for local high current power distribution. However, it can be used for nearly any application within specification.
Is An Aluminium Busbar As Good As Copper?
When compared to copper, aluminium busbars are manufactured using a lighter material which makes it more cost-effective to mass-produce. It offers a great solution for companies where budget, maximum weight and ease of installation are major considerations. Although aluminium is lighter, it must have a larger surface area than copper as it is not as conductive as copper. To match the same criteria of a copper bus bar, the size of the conductor must be larger and that is not always practical or feasible. While aluminium is the main alternative to copper and has many positive attributes, it’s been shown that in almost every practical aspect, copper is the better choice.
What Are Laminated Busbars?
Laminated busbars have layers of fabricated copper that are separated by thin dielectric materials which are laminated into a unified structure. The layers are heated and compressed into an integrated component that offers several performance advantages over single-layer bus bar and cable conductors. The size and application vary from surface mounted busbars smaller than a coin to multilayer busbars several feet in length.
Why Are U-shaped Busbars Popular?
The reason why U-shaped busbars are popular is due to their ability to deliver continuous and reliable connections while maximising the potential locations. Here are a few more benefits to take note of:
- The U-shape has a better weight distribution that mitigates distortion from excessive force
- It enables simple expansion, reconfiguration, or relocation operations
- The shape applies continuous pressure to every joint
- U-shape busbars create a solid connection and eliminate the need for routine maintenance
Is Using A Busbar System Really More Energy Efficient?
People are always looking for ways to increase energy efficiency to cope with fluctuations in demand and busbar systems are often the solution. They not only reduce system costs while improving reliability but also increase capacitance and help eliminate wiring errors and lower inductance. The physical structure of a bus bar is a benefit in itself as it offers unique features in mechanical design. Multilayer busbars, for example, provide better structural integrity compared to other wiring methods. You can use busbars to conduct any form of electrical current from any type of grid. Recommended: Guidance for Design and Installation Of A Copper Bus bar
The Importance Of Monitoring Power Usage For Better Efficiency
Energy efficiency remains one of the top concerns in industrial organisations and the corporate world. However, you can’t improve energy efficiency if you are not measuring it properly and without a baseline. If you don’t continuously measure performance and evaluate results, it is almost impossible to identify areas for improvement.
Some busbars do offer power monitoring as a standalone system mounted to electrical panels, or incorporated into a busway and branch-circuit applications. If you monitor power usage, you will be able to achieve the following:
- Identify current power costs which will help set a baseline
- Determine potential cost savings and set consumption goals
- Implement certain projects to further improve energy efficiency
- Continuously measure usage for more accurate results and optimisation efforts
Why Are Busbars Coated?
Busbars are made from corrosion-resistant copper, brass or aluminium in solid or hollow tubes. The shape and size are either flat strips, solid bars or rods that allow for more efficient heat dissipation due to the high surface area to cross-sectional area ratio. Even though copper oxidises over time, it remains conductive but it requires more power to move electricity along the surface. While it cannot completely prevent oxidising over long periods, it greatly reduces the effects. Bus bar coatings typically serve three main purposes, namely:
- Inhibit corrosion
- Increase conductivity
- For cosmetic purposes
Recommended: All The Reasons For Coating Bus Bars
Conclusion
As part of PRV’s electrical busbar manufacturing services, we provide several specialist coatings for additional insulative or conductive properties. We’ve been supplying the industry with quality busbars, conductors, contacts and connectors for many years. We use copper to manufacture all components for low, medium and high voltage industries such as rail rolling stock and trackside electrical components.
Our copper busbars offer the perfect balance between cost and application, especially with projects requiring higher levels of performance, versatility and reliability. Some of the services we offer our clients in the electrical industry include punching and folding, forging and pressing, complete machined castings and stampings, busbar fabrication, plating and heat shrink sleeving.
Find out more about PRV Engineering, busbars, deep hole drilling and other specialist engineering services on our website and our dedicated YouTube channel.
Recent Comments