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GE Consumer & IndustrialElectrical DistributionSpectra Series Busway Busway vs. Wire & Conduitimagination at work

Heavy-Duty PowerIn a Light PackageSpectra Series Busway makes the most sense forcommercial and industrial electrical distributionapplications that require up to 5,000 amps of capacitywith short-circuit protection.Since Spectra Series Busway is lighter than wire andconduit, it’s easier to handle and hang. Its compactdesign is ideal for applications where space is criticaland eliminates the time-consuming tasks of stripping,preparing and pulling wire. All of these advantagestranslate into lower delivery costs, simple storage andhandling, lower total installed costs, and increasedspace for more equipment.Spectra Series Busway provides you with maximumflexibility. In contrast to the fixed nature of wire andconduit, busway will grow as your facility expands. Dueto its modular design, busway runs can be easily added,or disassembled and relocated with minimal effort.The greatest testimonial to GE busway is actual fieldexperience. GE is a market leader and preferred productfor a wide variety of demanding applications. Manyof our busway products are still being used in theseenvironments after more than 30 years.From every point of view – flexibility, performance andinitial cost -– Spectra Series Busway is the clear choicefor your next installation.2

Spectra Series BuswayCustomer feedback and structured focus groupsprovided the foundation for this busway product.Customers asked for lighter and smaller power bussystems that were flexible enough to expand orrealign in facilities as needs changed. They neededhigher amperage tap-offs and the ability to isolatesections without taking the entire structure offline.They asked for joints that were sturdy, safe and easyto maintain, but were flexible enough to accomodatelate-point installation issues.Simpler Is BetterGE produced a compact design resulted in theseimprovements over wire and conduit installations: 50% minimum decrease in sizeUp to 50% decrease in weightIncreased adaptability and versatilityHigher short circuit ratingsImproved installation and operational safetyFully tested and certified to UL, ANSI, CSA andASTA standardsKey Features & BenefitsDecreased SizeIn a typical 1200 amp ceiling-hung application, buswaywill run 4.5”x7” vs. 4”x16” with wire and conduit. Thisallows busway to run in more places around and inbetween existing pipe and ductwork.Decreased WeightIn the same 1200 amp, 3 wire application, aluminumbusway weighs only 8 lbs./foot vs. 19 lbs./foot withcopper wire and EMT conduit. This dramatically saveson your structural weight allowance making moreefficient distribution designs possible and reducesinstallation time (per NECA labor standards).Frequent High Amperage Tap-OffsA bolted power take off device provides up to 1600 ampsprotection at every joint, plug-in or feeder. Additionally,tap-off provisions on standard busway allow for 10locations per 10 foot section. These features offermaximum flexibility in designing or modifying yourdistribution system.Section Isolation Without Long ShutdownsRemoveable isolation joints allow an operator to cleanlyand safely remove a section of busway and allow theremaining system to come back on-line. This allowsease of maintenance and modification with minimalfacility downtime.Zone 4 Seismic Certification StandardSpectra Series Busway can be used in applicationsranging up to Zone 4 Seismic conditions withoutrestrictions, special bracing, connections to equipment,or hangers. This saves on installation time and costsdue to additional components.Virtually No MaintenanceWhen fully torqued, GE Belleville joint washers have ahigh deflection, losing only 14% of their contact forceover an expected 50 year life. This prevents overheatingjoints – the primary cause of busway maintenance.3

Smaller SizeSafe OperationSpectra Series Busway dimensions begin at 4.5”x4.4” for225-800 ampere ratings, and range up to only 4.5”x23” forthe highest ratings. A single drop-rod hanger per 10-footsection can be used for ratings up to 2000 amp foraluminum busway and 2500 amp for copper busway.Spectra Series Busway has many features that ensure safeoperation by your personnel: Conductors that are totally enclosedEnsures that the highest standards for safetyare maintained per UL guidelines. Polarized plug-in unitsPolarized engagement of the plug to the buswayprovides the installer with positive plug/phase alignment.FlexibilitySpectra Series Plug-In Busway has tap-off provisions at 24”intervals on both sides, leaving a total of ten locations per10-foot section. This allows safe and quick connection of aswitch (up to 600 amp) or circuit breaker (up to 800 amp).Load-side cable connections from the busway circuit breaker,fuse or plug to your equipment are short and direct.A Spectra Series Busway plug can be installed or removedsafely within a matter of minutes. The plug-assist andposition plug locators simplify operation, ensuring a safeand positive connection.In addition, a 1/2” adjustability built into every Spectra Series Busway joint allows you greater freedom duringinstallation and adjustment. Plug-in units on installation are automatically groundedFirst-Make-Last-Break type contactors help protect theuser during installation and removal of bus plugs. Cover, device and plug interlocksHelps to protect the installer by prohibiting the openingof the plug door or removal when the plug is in theON position. Provision for padlocking the plug in the OFF positionWith up to 3 lock positions per plug, this product fullysupports your Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) program toprevent unauthorized user access to your electricaldistribution system. Integral Housing GroundGE’s all-aluminum housing forms a complete 360 highlevel ground path for ground faults and serves as acontinuous bond between busway sections, fittingsand bus plugs.Common Application - 2000 Amp,600 Volt, 3 Phase / 4 Wire4.5"114mm8.5"22cm3.5"89mm83"211cmRequires 12, 500 MCM Cablesin 6" Rigid Conduit4Low WeightCompact esentative in inches foraluminum and copper housings.All depths are 4.5”.AL3W 4W CU3W 24258Pounds / 1 Foot RunRepresentative for aluminum andcopper housings with 3 wire and4 wire applications.79121517202637405274

Longevity & DurabilitySeismic CertificationInsulation is at the heart of any electrical distribution system,and a durable, long-life epoxy insulation is used in Spectra Series Busway.The complete standard commercial offering of Spectra Series Busway is certified for Zone 4 Seismic conditions aswitnessed and approved (by the tests performed) at WyleLaboratories in Huntsville, Alabama. The maximum acceptableparameters are below.Spectra Series Busway 130 C Class B epoxy insulation isunique in the world of low-voltage busway. Epoxy insulationhas been in use with GE armor-clad feeder busway for thepast 30 years. When compared to PVC and Mylar, testresults show that epoxy has a significantly longer life (50years), higher impact strength (150 lbs) and superior chemicaland water resistance. Epoxy is impervious to acids, alkalis,acetones, machining oils and lubricants commonly found inindustrial environments.Epoxy-coated busway tested for flammability were ratedself-extinguishing by UL laboratories. This is in contrast toPVC, which emits poisonous fumes in a fire.Fully TestedSpectra Series Busway has undergone thorough testingaccording to ANSI/UL 857, NEMA BU-1, federal specificationW-B-811b, CSA and ASTA. Testing included (but was notlimited to) heat rise, short circuit and ground fault.The Belleville spring joint design has been tested in over 35years of field experience. Once properly tightened, it doesnot have to be retightened each year, as some manufacturersrecommend. It only requires a periodic visual inspection.Installation Labor CostsLabor Hrs / ft.4Labor Hrs / ft.4332Seismic 5 CertificationParameters according to vertical riserand horizontal configurationsMaximum AcceptableParametersEdgewise & FlatwiseOrientation2Wire & Conduit1Wire & Conduit1Busway0800 1000 1200 1600 2000 2500 3000 4000Busway0 2500A CU4000A AL5000A CU4000A ALVoltage600V600VDistribution Plug-In & Feeder Standard Hangers 16 Feet10 Feet Full Threaded Drop RodDrop Rod ConnectionAluminum HousingCopper HousingSpectra Series Busway plug-in labor measurementsare the same as feeder labor measurementsHorizontalRatingsHanger Spacing800 1000 1200 1600 2000 2500 3000 4000 5000VerticalN/A*Bus Plugs Fittings Cable Tap Boxes End Boxes All Applications Approved Proximity to Walls*** Drop rod must be bolted through ceiling/floorand secured on both sides with standardwashers and nuts.5

Adaptability & VersatilityWeather ProtectionA wide variety of Spectra Series Busway options are availableto fit your specific application. Most of your applications willfall into four categories.Spectra Series Busway provides optimum performance ineven the most severe weather environments. Service EntranceBrings power from utility transformers into a maindisconnect or distribution switchboard WeatherShield Epoxy Joint Insulators are designed forlong life and help to reduce maintenance. Joint boltaccess is via easily removeable, UL listed/CSA certifiedrain-tight santoprene plugs. Single LoadA long horizontal busway run that feeds a single load,such as a switchboard or motor control center In addition to our standard housing draw holes, extradrainage channels through die cast housing spacers helpeliminate standing water near joints. Multiple LoadUsed where power requirements are distributed over alarge area, such as with production machinery Gasketing materials and sealants are rated for extremetemperatures (-40 to 250 F and -40 to 200 F respectively)and are tested to verify superior UV resistance and excellent stability when subjected to long term thermal aging. RiserVertical run to economically feed high-rise buildingsSpectra Series Busway is available in both silver-platedaluminum and tin-plated copper at amperage capacities of225-5000 AC and 600-8000 DC for low voltage applications.Variations and components are available for all indoor, dripproof and outdoor applications. GE also offers a wide varietyof tap-off devices, of which fusible switches and molded casecircuit breakers are the most common. Busway plugs availablein E, F, G and K frames provide you with the following benefits:The joint shield, as shown in the photo below, uses an integralspring latch clamping system. This system provides optimumgasket compression at all joint connections, and eliminatesthe need for additional joint cover hardware. Simplified field changeover with adjustabletrip-amp rating plug More accurate and reliable trip interruptionwith true digital sensing Higher interruption capacity Optimal service life, performance and safetyWeather Joint ProtectionConstruction TypeIEC DegreeRequiredJointInsulatorIndoorFeeder, Plug-in, RiserIP-40StandardDrip ProofFeeder, Plug-in, RiserIP-43StandardSplash ProofFeeder, Plug-in, RiserIP54WeathershieldOutdoor Feeder (NEMA 3R)IP65/66Weathershield6Splash-Proof ApplicationsOutdoor ApplicationsInnovative Joint Shield designprovided with drip-proof,splash-proof and outdoor bus.Complete outdoor run ofSpectra Series Busway.