Busways and the Future of Power Distribution
The demand for data has skyrocketed in recent years with IoT, big data, and cloud computing all requiring data centers and their power distribution systems to keep up. However, according to Vertiv’s busway design white paper, while power distribution systems have an average lifespan of ten years, the IT equipment it powers only lasts about two to three years. Older power distribution systems are not always up to the task of adapting to new and evolving equipment, but high-power busways are. This modern solution outperforms traditional pipe and wire systems in scalability, safety, and efficiency. Learn why busway design is becoming the go-to choice for data centers and other high-tech facilities.
What is a High-Power Busway?
A busway is a system of electrical conductors used to distribute power efficiently in high-demand environments like data centers. This electrical design quickly delivers large amounts of power over short or long distances in a facility. Unlike traditional wiring methods that use numerous cables routed through conduits, busways offer a streamlined approach that is both flexible and scalable.
Busways are typically installed overhead, allowing them to distribute power to various points without taking up valuable floor space and getting in the way. They can also be configured vertically or underfloor, depending on your data center’s layout and needs.
How a Busway Works
A busway is essentially a power highway inside a data center and takes several components to make it work correctly. First the bus bars act as the main conductors that transport electricity. Made of copper or aluminum, bus bars are enclosed in protective casings to ensure safety and prevent accidental contact. Connected to these bus bars are the tap-off units which allow power to be drawn to specific areas or equipment within your facility. Conversely, the end feeds bring the electricity from the main power supply into the busway system. All these parts work together to transfer power to your equipment efficiently.
Safety Considerations
Safety is paramount in any power distribution system, especially in data centers where uptime and reliability are critical. Busways offer several safety advantages over traditional pipe and wire systems such as:
- Arc Flash Protection: Busways are designed with features that reduce risk in arc flashes or dangerous explosions caused by faulty electrical systems. These risks can be minimized with arc-resistant busway designs and integrated overcurrent protection devices.
- Reduced Human Error: The modular design of busways means that connections can often be made without direct exposure to live electrical components. This greatly lowers the chance of accidental contact or dropped tools that could cause an arc flash.
- Hot Swappable Units: Circuits and tap-off units can be installed or removed without shutting down the entire system. This minimizes downtime by allowing parts of the system to continue working while others are turned off to safely perform maintenance.
Busways don’t just help your data center run smoothly; they keep your facility safe. And that is only one of the many reasons busways are gaining popularity.
Benefits of Busways
Traditional power distribution methods such as pipe and wire systems are increasingly being phased out of data centers in favor of busways. As mentioned earlier, pipe and wire systems are not always able to keep up with the advancing technology needed by data centers like busways are. Luckily, there are these new systems offer various benefits that make them even more appealing than their pipe and wire counterparts.
Scalability and Flexibility
As data centers grow and change, their power needs can evolve rapidly. Busways are modular, allowing for easy scaling and maintenance. This can significantly reduce downtime and enhance efficiency in any high-tech facility. Pipe and wire systems on the other hand do not have this ability, requiring considerable rewiring and downtime to make necessary upgrades.
Space Optimization
Because busways are mounted overhead or underfloor they take up much less space than traditional wire systems. This frees up valuable real estate that can be used for additional servers or other critical infrastructure.
Efficiency
Busways offer superior electrical efficiency by reducing the resistance and heat loss associated with traditional cabling. This not only lowers energy costs but also reduces the cooling demands of the data center, further driving down operational expenses.
Lower Total Cost of Ownership
While the initial setup cost of busways might be higher than traditional wiring, reduced maintenance, lower energy costs, and minimized downtime all benefit your business’ finances. These effects of using busways prove to be less expensive than paying for new pipe and wire systems or frequent repairs.
Learn More with Vertiv’s CEU Session
Weber & Associates and our supplier Vertiv are dedicated to providing you with the best solutions for your high-tech facility. Deciding on the power distribution of your business is very important, which is why Vertiv invited expert Nathan Faulkner to share his insights on busways and pipe and wire systems. The Continuing Education session titled “Commercial and Industrial High Power Busway Applications” covered the essentials of busway systems like their critical components, safety features, and how they stack up again traditional solutions. Explore more on how to future-proof your data center’s power distribution with cutting-edge busway solutions.
Optimize Your Power Distribution Today
High power busways are transforming the way data centers manage power distribution. These solutions offer scalable, efficient, and safer alternatives to traditional pipe and wire systems. At Weber & Associates we are committed to providing the latest and most efficient power distribution solutions to help your operations run smoothly. Contact us today to get the tools you need to effectively manage your power distribution and optimize your entire facility.