FEM analysis and modelling of busbar systems under AC conditions

The authors present a quite general model of busbar systems taking into consideration skin and proximity effects and any possible connection of subconductors. The proposed approach is based on a finite element electromagnetic field computation to deduce the impedance matrix and on a successive network analysis to predict the device behaviour. This technique can be used for simulating busbar systems under periodic operating conditions even if the supply quantities are affected by a significant harmonic content. The method is based on the assumption of linearity of the system, which is usually verified except under some short circuit conditions in presence of ferromagnetic enclosures. An analysis of two 3-phase industrial busbar systems having respectively one and two subconductors per phase is developed. The predicted results are in good agreement with the experimental ones