A recent report Busbar Market indicates that the market size will rise from $12,321.9 million to $16,038.6 million by 2020.
This is largely due to rise in energy demands, the growing construction sector and increased upgrading of electrical infrastructures. Growth in related areas such as switchgear transformers is also contributing to the growth of the busbar market.
Components that are designed to carry heavy electrical currents all need some form of electroplating if they are to perform effectively. There’s the side effect of an improved decorative look, but the reasons these components are plated are far more important than the look. Electroplating is essential to the functioning of the component. It helps in the following areas
All these things mean a longer lifespan and less risk of failure. Advances in modern technology means that electroplating has become a critical part of the manufacture of components that will have an electrical current passing through them. When it comes to modern technology, in some areas it’s viewed as critical.
Busbars made of copper are commonplace in the world of electrical power distribution. Switchgear, panel boards and busways all use busbars to convey substantial amounts of electricity, allowing more flexibility for circuits to branch off.
Copper is more resistant to rust and corrosion and so is commonly used in the production of busbars and other electrical equipment.
However, copper does oxidise over time and because of this the resistance in the conductive metal will increase, meaning that more power is needed to carry any current along its surface. Beyond a certain point, the metal can begin to flake and fall apart. It is for this reason that many metals are plated – it helps them retain their positive qualities and attributes.
PRV Engineering’s significant investment in a new plating facility in 2013 has led to a firmer control over prices and lead times.
One of the fastest growing high precision engineering machining specialists in Europe, PRV have been trading for over 27 years. Managing director Simon Jones believes the company’s new plating facility will have a vital part to play in the future of its Busbar business.
He said; ”Our order book continues to grow and the stabilisation of our Busbar business, via the investment in our new plating facility, helps to convince our loyal clients that we are here for the long term.
“Because we are in the high voltage power industry and a lot of our products are Busbars, they either require tin-plating or silver plating for added conductivity. In the industry we find it increasingly difficult to get the service done in an adequate time and at an adequate price.
Plating provides many benefits to products made from metal and other materials. It not only improves corrosion resistance and decorative appeal, but also increases solderability, enhances strength, reduces friction and alters conductivity. Plating can also help with paint adhesion.
Silver and tin plating are essential for parts that are designed to carry heavy electrical currents and are also viewed as being critical to modern technology.
We have all heard of gold plated jewellery and silver plated cutlery. But how many of us actually understand what plating is and how else it can be used, especially in industry? Here at PRV, plating is a big part of what we do as a company.
Silver and tin plating are essential finishes for parts that are designed to carry heavy electrical currents.
Plating is a surface covering in which a metal is deposited on a conductive surface. Plating has been around for many years but is seen as critical for modern technology. Typically plating is used to to decorate objects, for corrosion inhibition, to improve solderability, to harden, to improve wearability, to reduce friction, to improve paint adhesion, to alter conductivity, for radiation shielding and for other purposes too.
The new plating facility that PRV Engineering now has is yet another example of Simon Jones’ (Chief Exec of PRV) determination to offer the company’s clients the most comprehensive service through continuous investment into new areas.
Finishing is one of the most important areas in the engineering sector. Components that have been carefully machined to the highest standards and tightest specifications can still be scrapped if the finishing is not up to standard. It’s one of the reasons that PRV Engineering prefer to do as much manufacturing as possible in-house. The new plating facility, specialising in tin and silver plating, is another sure step in this direction.
Even though copper is the most popular choice for use in busbars, and used very often in other electrical applications because it is more resistant to rust and corrosion than other metals, this doesn’t mean that it won’t oxidize over time.
When metals oxidize, the resistance in the conductive metal will increase, requiring more power to be used to carry current along the surface. When the copper oxidizes beyond a certain point, the metal can begin to flake and fall apart.
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