Thermal considerations for outdoor bus conductor design

Outdoor rigid bus design is based on several limiting criteria. This paper brings to a single source the thermal considerations of rigid bus design namely, transfer of heat and properties of material. It concerns itself with aluminum alloys, copper and copper alloys and the currently acceptable shapes. Historically thermal designs have been conservative. This paper will allow the engineer to re-examine the factors involved in increased current loadings of rigid bus and possibly determine new thermal limits.