In Russia, the first cable bus for a nominal voltage of 110 kV was manufactured
At the plant of LLC "RTK-ELECTRO-M", an innovative TPL busbar with RIP insulation for a nominal voltage of 110 kV and a nominal current up to 4000 A has been developed. The product successfully passed high-voltage tests in an accredited laboratory and will ensure the safe transmission of electricity at high-voltage facilities. RTK-ELECTRO is the only plant in Russia and one of the few in the world where high-voltage busbars for 110 kV will be produced! The plant is part of the industrial Group of Companies "NEK". The busbar production is located in Pavlovsky Posad, Moscow Region.
The use of this type of busbar TPL for a nominal voltage of 110 kV is especially relevant at power plants (NPPs, TPPs, HPPs, GRES, etc.), industrial enterprises, traction substations, and anywhere reliable and trouble-free power transmission over short distances in confined conditions is required.
A section of this modern busbar consists of a round aluminum or copper conductor enclosed in multilayer RIP insulation, which provides reliable protection against short circuits, excellent heat dissipation, and operational safety for personnel. The insulation consists of an insulating layer, semiconducting layers, and a grounding layer. The semiconducting layers prevent the impact of partial discharges on the insulation. The grounding layer is a copper electrical screen that is grounded, with special terminals provided on each busbar section and connection joint. The surface of the busbar is at zero potential. Section connections are made using flexible busbars (busbar compensators) and insulated with RIP-insulated joints.
The prototype successfully passed high-voltage tests, confirming the reliability of the design, operability of the busbar, and its safety:
- Dielectric strength test of the insulation at industrial frequency. During the tests, an industrial frequency voltage of 230 kV was applied to the prototype for 5 minutes, and the partial discharge level was measured.
- Dielectric strength tests of the insulation under full lightning impulse voltage. The busbar insulation was subjected to a standardized full lightning impulse voltage of 550 kV using a 15-shot method with positive and negative polarity.
Successful high-voltage tests of the innovative TPL busbar with RIP insulation at 110 kV
The tests confirmed the high dielectric strength of the TPL busbar insulation: no breakdown was detected, and no partial discharges were present in the insulation. Thus, the TPL busbar with RIP insulation passed the tests according to the TU requirements and GOST test methods.
Key advantages of the TPL 110 kV busbar compared to cable:
- Compact size, suitable for installation in confined spaces
- Small bending radii (from 180 mm to 400 mm)
- One conductor per phase with a nominal current up to 4000 A inclusive
- High resistance to through short-circuit currents (up to Idin = 255 kA, It = 100 kA, 3 sec)
- Simple and reliable construction
- Low-cost and easy installation, no specially trained personnel required
- Resistance to UV radiation, surface tracking, and erosion
- Protection degree IP 68
- Ability to operate in harsh and polluted environments
- Long service life – 40 years
Advantages of TPL 110 kV compared to rigid busbar installation:
- Reliable protection against short circuits due to RIP insulation
- Safe for personnel
- Compact dimensions
- No need for bushing insulators
RTK-ELECTRO plant (part of the "NEK" Group of Companies) plans to execute the first contract for the supply of TPL for a nominal voltage of 110 kV in 2025!