Numerical model of a three-phase busbar trunking system

The thermal behavior of an industrial Low Voltage non-segregated three-phase busduct is analyzed by means of the comparison of a 3D numerical model with experimental results. This model has been carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics, software based on finite element method. The numerical model replicates the short-circuit test, using the same geometry configuration and the boundary conditions of the laboratory in which this assay is carried out. The standard IEC 61439 is applied, both in test and model, in order to obtain the steady state temperatures in several parts of the busbar system. As a result of the data comparison can be concluded that the experimental test is replicated with sufficient accuracy by the numerical model. In fact, the average error of all the temperatures is smaller than 5%. As a general conclusion, the numerical model developed can be considered accurate enough to use it in the first steps of the busbar design.