Forced Air Cooled Isolated Phase Bus-Experimental Verification of Design Parameters

Currently 1300 MW machines are being installed in power plants and 1500 and 2000 MW machines are a distinct possibility. Consequently isolated phase bus in power plants has to carry continuous currents as high as 40,000 amps or more. In this paper the results of tests conducted under laboratory conditions up to 36,000 amps is analyzed and discussed. An empirical approach for determining time-temperature behavior under emergency conditions, such as failure of cooling equipment, is suggested. The detailed design of a forced cooling system for isolated phase bus is discussed.