Bus Duct 101

 

Bus duct is a familiar sight to electricians, but what about the terms “busbar” or “busway?” Keep reading to learn about this vital aspect of electrical distribution.

The automotive industry first introduced busways in 1932; since then, it has expanded to serve many other industries. Busway is just another word for bus duct, which provides an alternative means of conducting electricity. Used in commercial and industrial settings, bus duct conducts electricity to power cables or cable bus.

Bus duct is comprised of sheet metal duct containing either aluminum or copper busbars in a grounded metal enclosure. Busbars are metallic strips or bars that conduct a substantial electrical current. Since bus ducts are flexible, they are easy to maintain and can handle different charging load requirements.

Bus duct is typically used where cable and conduit would be used in residential applications. Bus duct provides a high degree of electrical efficiency for both low- and high-amperage conditions. It’s also incredibly versatile, thanks to advancements such as elbows and offsets. These developments allow bus duct to adapt to directional changes.

To effortlessly meet load changes, tap-off units or new sections can be implemented. Some cases do require cable and conduit, however. For example, if a bus duct will be installed near corrosive vapors, it should not be used.

Planning ahead is vital when ordering bus duct for a specific use. Pay close attention to dimensions, note any bends, columns, floor elevation changes, route information, etc. Sketches of where the bus duct will flow are helpful. Standard bus duct can be ordered from inventory stock if the job is not too complex.

At J&P Electrical, we strive to provide the best electrical equipment possible. We have a massive supply of bus duct and plugs, along with other reconditioned products. Check out our inventory today!

_______________________________________________

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical supply company. At J&P, we source contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of heavy industrial electrical equipment such as bus plugs, bus duct, transformers, circuit breakers, fuses, and switchboards. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Positive Outlook on the Horizon for Contractors

 

Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was passed in November 2021, contractors country-wide are optimistic about their 2022 prospects. However, according to a survey report released by the Associated General Contractors of America, significant challenges still remain.

Over 1,000 American contractors were surveyed, and many were positive about the available bidding projects in 2022, since they have such a high dollar value. Respondents who expect the dollar value to expand is higher than those who expect it to shrink. Power construction is expected to benefit from the new law.

The authors wrote, “This represents a stark turnaround from the 2021 survey, in which contractors were bearish about the prospects for all but a few segments.”

Just under half of the respondents are looking to increase their employees by 10 percent or less, and more than a quarter of them anticipated bigger gains.

The report stated, “The construction industry is in much better shape overall than a year ago but there is wide variation among companies. For instance, small contractors, on average, have been slower to recover than larger businesses and are generally less optimistic about the 2022 outlook. While contractors in all regions expect 2022 to be a year of growth in business opportunities and employment, firms in the Northeast are less upbeat than elsewhere.”

Rising material process and supply chain dilemmas posed significant challenges which were exacerbated by the global pandemic. Higher prices were given for bids and contracts, with 44 percent noting longer completion rates. With increased supply chain issues, accelerated purchases were secured and winning contracts have turned to alternative suppliers.

The authors wrote, “While the past year has been filled with many challenges, technology has played an integral role in keeping people connected and businesses up and running. Firms are becoming more strategic about IT as they try to remain competitive in the current environment.”

With the rising use of technology comes an increase in electrical use. Connectivity is imperative, so many companies are utilizing electrical contractors to ensure their IT challenges are being handled. 

The report states, “The use of information technology, however, continues to pose challenges. Forty-one percent of contractors say it’s difficult to find the time to implement and train on new technology, 39% list keeping company data secure from hackers as one of their biggest IT challenges, and more than a third cite connectivity to remote job sites or communication between field and office as among the biggest IT challenges.”

__________________________________________________________

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical supply company. At J&P, we source contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of heavy industrial electrical equipment such as bus plugs, bus duct, transformers, circuit breakers, fuses, and switchboards. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.