FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: SUPPORT TO AN ELECTRICAL BUSBAR
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
KEC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Indian RPG House, 463, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai - 400 030, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to an electrical busbar, and,
particularly but not exclusively, to providing inclined support to the electrical busbar.
BACKGROUND
[0002] An electrical busbar is one of the important devices of power
plants and substations in electrical power systems, playing the role of collecting electric power from incoming feeders and distributing it to outgoing feeders. The electrical bus bars can carry heavy electrical currents and are typically formed from bars of conductive material, e.g., a copper alloy, aluminum, etc., in varying sizes. The electrical busbars are either supported on insulators or else surrounded by them. The electrical busbars are also protected from accidental contact either by a metal earthed enclosure or by elevation out of normal reach. For some applications, the electrical busbars may be connected, one to another, in a run, from the point of electrical supply to the point of electrical delivery by bolted, clamped, or welded connections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0003] The following detailed description references the drawings,
wherein:
[0004] Fig. 1A illustrates a system to provide support to an electrical
busbar when seen from a direction parallel to a length of the electrical
busbar, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0005] Fig. 1B illustrates a top portion of the system to provide support
to the electrical busbar when seen from the direction parallel to the length
of the electrical busbar, according to an embodiment of the present subject
matter;
[0006] Fig. 1C illustrates a top portion of the system to provide support
to the electrical busbar when seen from a direction orthogonal to the length

of the electrical busbar, according to an embodiment of the present subject
matter;
[0007] Fig. 1D illustrates a front view of a bottom portion of the system
to provide support to the electrical busbar when seen from a direction
orthogonal to the length of the electrical busbar, according to an
embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0008] Fig. 2 illustrates a busbar support implementing a system to
provide support to the electrical busbar, according to an embodiment of the
present subject matter;
[0009] Fig. 3 illustrates a clamping device, according to an embodiment
of the present subject matter;
[0010] Fig. 4 illustrates a mounting plate of the clamping device,
according to an example of the present subject matter; and
[0011] Fig. 5 illustrates a support frame, according to an example of the
present subject matter.
[0012] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate
similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not
necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to
more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide
examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however,
the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations
provided in the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0013] The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for
supporting an electrical busbar in substation switchyards.
[0014] Conventionally, an electrical busbar is relatively a heavy
conductive strip disposed to conduct electricity within a switchboard, a substation switchyard, or other electrical system or apparatus. In the substation switchyards, the busbar is suspended at a considerable height from the ground with the help of electric poles from two sides. The distance

between the two electric poles is generally high, causing the sagging of the busbar. Additionally, the power lines of the substation switchyards employing the busbar are often heavily loaded because of the increased power handling, and the busbar, which is generally made of copper or aluminum, expands when heated, for example, in hot weather. This expansion may increase the slack between the busbar and its support structures, causing it to sag.
[0015] Further, the sag and wind force or wind-induced vibration of the
busbar or magnetic force generated by the flow of electric current may cause an oscillation of the busbar. Such oscillations may cause serious transmission problems, such as flashover due to infringed busbar to busbar clearance, risk of mechanical failure of the electric poles holding the busbar, and excessive loading stress. Sagging may also lower the busbar to an unsafe height above the ground. Hence, in order to avoid safety issues due to the oscillation and also for optimal operation of the busbar, its sagging requires to be within a permissible limit.
[0016] Traditionally, the techniques available for controlling the sag
require increasing the diameter of the busbar or providing support in the middle of the span of the busbar. However, such techniques have their limitations with regard to control, safety, and reliability that degrade their usefulness in controlling the sag. For example, increasing the diameter of the busbar may increase the overall cost. Also, the busbars above 300 mm diameter are not generally available. On the other hand, providing support in the middle of the busbar creates a hindrance for equipment(s) that may be placed below the busbar.
[0017] Accordingly, in an example implementation of the present subject
matter, a system to provide support to an electrical busbar is provided. The system comprises a post insulator that has a top face and a bottom face. The post insulator is to provide support to the electrical busbar through its top face. The system further comprises an electric pole of a predefined height having a base end and a mating end. A support frame is provided

that has a left portion, a center portion, and a right portion. The support frame is mounted on the mating end of the electric pole through the center portion. The left portion and the right portion of the support frame are such that they protrude outside of the interfacing area of the mating end and the center portion.
[0018] Furthermore, the system comprises a plurality of clamping
devices, wherein each of the plurality of clamping devices includes a mounting plate, a first clamping jaw that is fixedly attached to the mounting plate, and at least two second clamping jaws. Each of the second clamping jaw and the first clamping jaw are held together by one or more screw bolts thereby forming a longitudinal circular clamping area. The mounting plate has at least two mounting pads situated on both sides of the clamping area. A first clamping device of the plurality of clamping devices is mounted on the top face of the post insulator through the mounting plate and is configured to clamp a predetermined section of the electrical busbar span in its circular clamping area.
[0019] In an implementation, the system also comprises a plurality of
busbar supports. Each of the plurality of busbar supports has a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end both are coupled with a busbar support flange. Each of the busbar support flanges is coupled to an end connection flange. To provide support to the electrical busbar span in addition to the support already provided by the post insulator, a first busbar support of the plurality of busbar supports is firstly attached to a first mounting pad of the second clamping device through its first end. Herein, the second clamping device is installed on the electrical busbar span at a predetermined distance from the first clamping device. Thereafter, the first busbar support is also attached to the right portion of the support frame on its second end. Hence, the first busbar support, through its coupling with the second clamping device and the right portion of the support frame, forms an inclined support structure for the electrical busbar.

[0020] Similarly, a second busbar support is provided that is attached to
a second mounting pad of the second clamping device through its first end. Through its second end, the second busbar support is connected to the right portion of the support frame. Accordingly, the second busbar also forms an inclined support structure for the electrical busbar.
[0021] Thus, the first and the second busbar support together form a
double inclined support structure for the electrical busbar span that helps in
reducing the sag, thereby substantially improving the overall vertical and
lateral stability of the busbar. Further, the inclined support system of the
present subject matter also prevents height variations between the busbar
and the ground that may be caused by the oscillations generated as a result
of wind force or wind-induced vibration, or magnetic force generated by the
flow of electric current thereby overcoming transmission problems, such as
flashover, risk of mechanical failure, and excessive loading stress.
[0022] The present subject matter is further described with reference to
the accompanying figures. Wherever possible, the same reference
numerals are used in the figures and the following description to refer to the
same or similar parts. It should be noted that the description and figures
merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It is thus
understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not
explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the
present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles,
aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific
examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0023] Fig. 1A illustrates a combined view including a top portion 101-1
and a bottom portion 101-2 of a system 100 to provide support to an electrical busbar (illustrated in Fig. 1C) when seen from a direction parallel to length of the electrical busbar, according to an example of the present subject matter. Fig. 1B shows a detailed view of the top portion 101-1 of the system 100 to provide support to the electrical busbar when seen from the direction parallel to the length of the electrical busbar, according to an

example of the present subject matter. Fig. 1C shows another detailed view of the top portion 101-1 of the system 100 to provide support to the electrical busbar 122 when seen from a direction orthogonal to the length of the electrical busbar 122, according to an example of the present subject matter. Fig. 1D shows a detailed front view of the bottom portion 101-2 of the system 100 to provide support to the electrical busbar 122 when seen from a direction parallel to the length of the electrical busbar 122, according to an example of the present subject matter. Since Figs. 1A-1D illustrates an arrangement relationship of a plurality of elements constituting the system 100 to provide support to the electrical busbar 122, for sake of ease of explanation, Figs. 1A-1D are explained together.
[0024] As shown in Fig. 1B, the system 100 comprises a post insulator
102 that has a top face 104 and a bottom face 106. The system 100 further comprises an electric pole 108 which may be three-legged, four-legged, or the like. The electric pole 108 is of a predefined height that has a base end 110, which is shown in Fig. 1D, and a mating end 112, which is shown in Fig. 1B.
[0025] A support frame 114 is provided that has a left portion 116, a
center portion 118, and a right portion 120. The support frame 114 is mounted on the mating end 112 of the electric pole 108 in such a way that only its center portion 118 interfaces with the mating end 112 of the electric pole 108. In an example, the support frame 114 may be mounted on the mating end 112 by means of nut and bolt members (not illustrated), welding, or the like. As shown in Fig. 1B, each of the left portion 116 and the right portion 120 of the support frame 114 protrudes outside of interfacing area of the mating end 112 and the center portion 118.
[0026] As shown in Fig. 1C, the system 100 further comprises a plurality
of clamping devices 124-1, 124-2, 124-3 having a clamping area 128 which is visible in Fig. 1B. As shown in Fig. 1B, the clamping area 128 generally has a circular cross-section, however, it is also contemplated that the clamping area 128 may alternatively be non-circular, or oval, or have

another suitable cross-section, or combinations thereof, provided that the electrical busbar 122 is also adapted to fit in such alternatives. For example, the electrical busbar 122 may have a cross-section selected from oval, square, triangular, or other suitable shape.
[0027] As shown in Fig. 1C, a first clamping device 124-1 is mounted on
the top face 104 of the post insulator 102 and configured to clamp a
predetermined section of the electrical busbar 122 in its clamping area 128.
Although the first clamping device 124-1 is shown to be installed on the top
face 104 by way of nut and bolt members 126-1, any other known
installation means including, not exclusively, welding, may also be used.
[0028] As shown in Fig. 1B, the system 100 also comprises a plurality
of busbar supports 130-1, 130-2 each having a first end 132-1 and a second end 132-2. To provide inclined support to the electrical busbar 122, a first busbar support 130-1 is attached to a second clamping device 124-2 through the second end 132-2. The first busbar support 130-1 is clamped to the electrical busbar 122 at a predetermined distance from the first clamping device 124-1. The first busbar support 130-1 is also attached to the right portion 120 of the support frame 114 through the first end 132-1, thereby forming a first inclined support structure for the electrical busbar 122.
[0029] Although not visible in Fig 1C. a second busbar support 130-2 is
provided that is similarly clamped to the second clamping device 124-2 through the second end 132-2. The second busbar support 130-2 is further attached to the left portion 116 of the support frame 114 through its first end 132-1, thereby forming a second inclined support structure for the electrical busbar 122. In an example embodiment, each of the plurality of busbar supports 130-1, 130-2 may form an angle in a range of about 55-65 degrees with respect to the support frame 114.
[0030] Thus, as discussed previously, the first and the second busbar
supports 130-1, 130-2, together form a double inclined support structure for the electrical busbar 122 that helps in reducing the sag and, as a result,

substantially improves the overall vertical and lateral stability of the electrical busbar 122.
[0031] In an example, it is possible that the electric pole 108 is situated
between two other similar electric poles and the length of the electrical busbar 122 is such that it spans from the first electric pole to the third electric pole. In such a scenario, two additional busbar supports, similar to the first busbar support 130-1 and second busbar support 130-2, may be provided that may be attached to a third clamping device 124-3 to provide support to the electrical busbar 122.
[0032] The third clamping device 124-3 may be installed on the
electrical busbar 122 at a distance from the first clamping device 124-1 that may be equal to the distance between the first clamping device 124-1 and the second clamping device 124-2. The use of inclined double busbar supports on both sides of the post insulator 102, as shown in Fig. 1C, helps in reducing the sag substantially, improving the system's reliability and power quality.
[0033] Although in the present example, the busbar supports are shown
to be connected to the corresponding clamping devices 124-2, 124-3 by
way of nut and bolt members 126-2, 126-3, any other known connection
means including, not exclusively, the welding, may also be used.
[0034] In alternative embodiments of the present invention (not shown),
the inclined support structure for the electrical busbar 122 may comprise one busbar support or more than two busbar supports. For example, when the length of the electrical busbar 122 is small, the sagging may be brought within the controllable limits even with a single busbar support.
[0035] In some cases, the support frame 114 is likely to be bent under
the heavy load of the electric busbar 122 and the busbar supports acting on it, thereby bringing about the deterioration in support stability. Thus, to avoid bending the support frame 114, each of the right portion 120 and the left portion 116 of the support frame 114 may be supported by at least one first cantilever bracket 134, as shown in Fig. 1B. The first cantilever bracket 134

may be directly attached to each of the right portion 120 and the left portion
116 or through a first cantilever beam 140 provided towards bottom of both
ends of the support frame 114, as shown in Fig. 1B. The first cantilever
bracket 134 may be coupled to body of the electric pole 108 and the first
cantilever beam 140 either by way of the nut and bolt members or through
the welding. The first cantilever bracket 134 provides inclined support to the
right portion 120 and the left portion 116 of the support frame 114.
[0036] The center portion 118 of the support frame 114 carrying the load
of the post insulator 102 may also be supported by one or more second cantilever brackets 136. Each of the second cantilever brackets 136 may be connected to the center portion 118 of the support frame 114 through a second cantilever beam 138. The second cantilever beam 138 may be provided towards the bottom of the center portion 118 of the support frame 114. The second cantilever bracket 136 may also be fixed with the body of the electric pole 108 with an inclination by way of either the nut and bolt members or the welding. These supporting arrangements allow the support frame 114 to accept the reaction from the busbar 122 or busbar supports without any deflection or bending.
[0037] Also, the body of the electric pole 108 may not be designed to
withhold the excess weight subjected to it by the additional structures such as the busbar supports, and thus, may get deflected at the base end 110. In order to avoid such kind of deflection of the electric pole 108 and strengthen its base, a base cantilever bracket 142 may be provided for each leg of the electric pole 108 towards the base end 110. The base cantilever bracket 142 has a first end 144-1 and a second end 144-2. The first end 144-1 is connected to the leg of the electric pole 108 by way of nut and bolt members 146 as shown in Fig. 1. Whereas the second end 144-2 is bolted to an additional column 148, provided diagonally to each leg of the electric pole 108, by way of an anchor bolt (not illustrated). Also provided is a bracing 150 between every two base cantilever bracket 142 for the control of buckling in the base cantilever bracket 142.

[0038] Fig. 2 illustrates a busbar support 200 in detail, according to an
example of the present subject matter. The busbar support 200 is similar to
the first and the second busbar supports 130-1, 130-2 explained with
respect to Fig. 1. The busbar support 200 may be an insulator made up of
a uniform, electrically insulating, substantially non-tracking, water-resistant
polymeric material having high flexural strength, for example. The busbar
support 200 has a first end 202-1 and a second end 202-2 similar to the first
end 132-1 and the second end 132-2 of the first and the second busbar
supports 130-1, 130-2 explained previously with respect to Figs. 1B-1C.
Each of the first end 202-1 and the second end 202-2 is coupled with a
busbar support flange 204-1, 204-2, and each of the busbar support flanges
204-1, 204-2 is connected to an end connection flange 206-1, 206-2.
[0039] Further, as shown in an exploded view of the second end 202-2
in Fig. 2, a second busbar support flange 204-2 is coupled to a second end connection flange 206-2. The coupling between the second busbar support flange 204-2 and the second end connection flange 206-2 may be facilitated by means of, but is not limited to, nut and bolt members (not illustrated) configurable through one or more mounting holes 208 provided on both the second busbar support flange 204-2 and the second end connection flange 206-2.
[0040] The second end connection flange 206-2 also comprises one or
more primary mounting holes 210. Although it is not shown in the exploded view, the first end 202-1 of the busbar support 200 has a structure similar to the second end 202-2. The one or more primary mounting holes 210 on the first end 202-1 enables easy interfacing of the support frame 114 and the first end 202-1 of the busbar support 200. The busbar support 200 may further include one or more sheds 212 of equal or different lengths in the form of a disc that extends radially outward from core of the busbar support 200. In an example, a length of the one or more sheds 212 may lie in a range of 175 mm to 260 mm. In another example, a length of the busbar

support 200 from the first end connection flange 206-1 to the second end
connection flange 206-2 may lie in a range of 4700 mm - 4800 mm.
[0041] Further, as shown in Fig. 2, each of the first end connection
flange 206-1 to the second end connection flange 206-2 is inclined with respect to the corresponding busbar support flange 204-1, 204-2. This inclined face of the end connection flanges 206-1, 206-2 allows the busbar support 200, which is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, to couple with each of the top face 104 and the support frame 114 that are parallel with respect to the horizontal plane.
[0042] Fig. 3 illustrates a clamping device 300 for clamping the electrical
busbar 122 in detail, according to an example of the present subject matter. The clamping device 300 is similar to the first, second, and third clamping devices, 124-1, 124-2, 124-3 discussed previously with respect to Figs. 1 and 2. The clamping device 300 includes a mounting plate 302 having at least two mounting pads (illustrated in Fig. 4) situated on both sides of a clamping area 306 of the clamping device 300.
[0043] The clamping device 300 further comprises a first clamping jaw
304-1 and a second clamping jaw 304-2. Each of the first clamping jaw 304-1 and the second clamping jaw 304-2 are aligned to each other to keep a tight hold on the electrical busbar 122 through one or more clamping jaw holes 308-1, 308-2 which are disposed on respective ends of the first and second clamping jaws 304-1, 304-2.
[0044] Fig. 4 illustrates the mounting plate 302 configurations in detail,
according to an example of the present subject matter. The mounting plate 302 has a first mounting pad 404-1 and a second mounting pad 404-2. Each of the first and second mounting pads 404-1, 404-2 comprises a plurality of clamping holes 402. The clamping holes 402 allow the interfacing of the clamping device 300 with the top face 104 of the post insulator 102 and one of the end connection flanges 206-1, 206-2.
[0045] Fig. 5 illustrates the support frame 114 configurations in detail,
according to an example of the present subject matter. As discussed

previously, the support frame 114 has the left portion 116, the center portion 118, and the right portion 120. The support frame 114 is mounted on the mating end 112 of the electric pole 108 in such a way that only its center portion 118 interfaces with the mating end 112 of the electric pole 108. The support frame 114 also comprises two or more support patches 502-1,…502-4 on both the left portion 116 and the right portion 120. Each of the support patches 502-1,…502-4 comprises a plurality of frame holes 114 allowing the interfacing of the support frame 114 with one of the end connection flanges 206-1, 206-2 of the busbar support 200.
[0046] Although embodiments for methods and systems for the present
subject matter have been described in a language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) to support an electrical busbar (122), comprising:
an electric pole (108) of a predefined height having a base end (110)
and a mating end (112);
a support frame (114) mounted on the mating end (112);
a post insulator (102) having a top face (104) and a bottom face (106), the post insulator (102) being mounted on the support frame (114) through the bottom face (106) and adapted to support the electrical busbar (122) through the top face; and
one or more busbar supports (130-1, 130-2, 200) each inclined with respect to a horizontal plane and having a vertically opposed first end (132-1, 202-1) and a second end (132-2, 202-2), wherein the first end (132-1, 202-1) is mounted on the support frame (114) and the second end (132-2, 202-2) is adapted to support the electrical busbar (122).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality
of clamping devices (124-1, 124-2, 124-3) each having a clamping area
(128) adapted to accommodate a predefined length of the electrical busbar
(122),
wherein a first clamping device (124-1) of the plurality of clamping devices (124-1, 124-2, 124-3) is mounted on the top face (104) of the post insulator (102).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a second clamping device (124-2) of the plurality of clamping devices (124-1, 124-2, 124-3) is coupled to the second end (132-2, 202-2) of each of the one or more busbar supports (130-1, 130-2, 200) and positioned at a predefined distance away from the first clamping device (124-1).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame (114) comprises a left portion (116), a center portion (118), and a right

portion (120), wherein the center portion (118) is interfaced with the mating end (112), and each of the left portion (116) and the right portion (120) protrude outside of interfacing area of the mating end (112) and the center portion (118), and
wherein each of the left portion (116) and the right portion (120) is to accommodate the first end (132-1, 202-1) of the corresponding one or more busbar supports (130-1, 130-2, 200).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first end
(132-1, 202-1) and the second end (132-2, 202-2) is coupled with a busbar
support flange (204-1, 204-2), and each of the busbar support flange (204-
1, 204-2) is coupled to an end connection flange (206-1, 206-2),
wherein each of the end connection flange (206-1, 206-2) is inclined with respect to the corresponding busbar support flange (204-1, 204-2) to connect the busbar support (130-1, 130-2, 200), which is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, to each of the top face (104) and the support frame (114) that are parallel with respect to the horizontal plane.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein:
the first end (132-1, 202-1) is coupled with at least one of the left portion (116) and the right portion (120) through a first end connection flange (206-1), and
the second end (132-2, 202-2) is coupled with the at least one of the plurality of clamping devices (124-1, 124-2, 124-3) through a second end connection flange (206-2).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or
more busbar supports (130-1, 130-2, 200) comprises one or more sheds
(212) in the form of a disc that extends radially outward from a core of the
each of the one or more busbar supports (130-1, 130-2, 200), and wherein
the disc is of two different lengths.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more busbar supports (130-1, 130-2, 200) forms an angle in a range of 55-65 degrees with respect to the support frame (114).
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:
one or more first cantilever brackets (134) each coupled to a body of the electric pole (108) and bottom of each of the right portion (120) and the left portion (116), each of the one or more first cantilever brackets (134) being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and adapted to support to the right portion (120) and the left portion (116); and
one or more second cantilever brackets (136) each coupled to the body of the electric pole (108) and bottom of the center portion (118), each of the one or more second cantilever brackets (136) being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and adapted to support to the center portion (118).
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an additional column (148) being positioned diagonally to each leg of the electric pole (108) towards the base end (110); and
a base cantilever bracket (142) provided corresponding to each leg of the electric pole (108) towards the base end (110) and adapted to support the electric pole (108), the base cantilever bracket (142) comprising a first end (144-1) and a second end (144-2),
wherein the first end (144-1) of the base cantilever bracket (142) is coupled to the respective leg at a predefined height from the base end (110) and the second end (144-2) of the base cantilever bracket (142) is coupled to the respective additional column (148).