Thermal Model for Copper Busbar and Electrical Connections for Controlgear Design

The electricity distribution infrastructure follows rigid and complex arrangements to guarantee the safe availability of electricity supply to cities. Such arrangements are composed of a variety of equipment responsible for the distribution, protection and control of electrical loads at their different levels of electrical power and voltage class; the controlgears are one of this equipment. In this context, this paper presents the modeling of the heating generated internally in controlgear considering the the environmental, electrical and physical conditions for the arrangements of copper busbars and electrical connections. Simulation results allow a set of analyzes, such as the evaluation and testing of projects before manufacture. It is also possible to perform equipment performance simulation under full working conditions, as well as to anticipate maintenance diagnostics.