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GE EnergyIndustrial SolutionsSpectra Series Busway imagination at work

Spectra Series BuswaySpectra Series Busway.All the muscle without the weight.GE engineers have broken the weight barrier withSpectra Series busway. Its computer-designed,all-aluminum housing is up to 50% lighter than comparable wire and conduit – and lighter than competitors’busway – while providing the current-carrying capacity(up to 5,000 amps) and short-circuit protection you’vealways counted on from GE busway.This new level of flexibility makes it easy to cope withunexpected building variations during installation.Less weight means big labor savings.Since Spectra Series busway is lighter than other busways,its easier to handle and hang. You save on labor andinstallation time (per NECA labor standards). This maylower your total installed cost by up to 75% versus wireand conduit.Our new busway can often be hung with a unique GEhanger that employs just a single drop rod. Plug-assistand plug-position locators make installation a snap(even on larger plugs). And 50% integral housingground is standard. Internal ground is available forboth aluminum and copper busway.Epoxy insulation protects your investment.GE has applied more than three decades of experiencewith material coatings to bring advanced epoxy insulation technology to Spectra Series busway. Our specialClass B 130 C Blue Coat epoxy insulation providestougher, longer life (50 years expected) than mylar,PVC, and glass tape used by other manufacturers.Plating options.Copper busway: Tin plating is standard on all copperbusway. Aluminum busway: Tin plating is standardfor feeder lengths and silver plating is standard forplug-in lengths. A complete silver plating system isoptional on both copper and aluminum busway.Spectra Series busway also includes our speciallydesigned belleville spring washer that retains over 90%of its original contact pressure. So you get a moresecure, reliable and virtually maintenance-free joint.Quick IndexPagesKey Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4Electrical Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8Physical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29Plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-32Cataloging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-38Guide Form Specifications . . . . . . . . . 39-40Joint Guard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back coverA load of extras.Both plug-in and feeder configurations offer identicallow voltage drop. In fact, it’s one of the most efficientbusway systems available.Our exclusive adjustable joint connector allows quick 1/2” busway length adjustment – right in the field.Put the Busway Tool Kit to work for you!GE’s Busway Tool Kit is a collection of electronic tools that quickly and easily answers customers’ questions,calculates costs savings for contractors, provides layout assistance to specifiers, and delivers value engineeringto distributors.Speculator answers busway-related electricalquestions.Labor Calculator compares the labor costsof installing lighter GE busway versus SquareD busway.Autobus allows specifiers, electrical contractorsand others to design and engineer busway in3-D AutoCAD format.Cable Converter – calculates how buswaycosts to compare to pipe and wire.The Busway Toolkit is available on-line at www.geelectrical.com/elitenet or order the two-CD set (DEU-060) from GE.www.geelectrical.com1

Spectra Series BuswayState-of-the-ArtBusway SystemsAll Spectra Series bus bars are integritytested with 5000 Vac – for absoluteperformance confidence.Automated process applies durable bakedenamel ANSI 61 finish (tough .09” thickaluminum 6061-T6 housings) – for consistent,repeatable quality and protection.Our experts closely monitor productionperformance – to help protect yourinvestment.www.geelectrical.com2

Spectra Series BuswayEasiest-to-Install Busway – Ever.Spectra Series busway features analuminum housing that cuts buswayweight up to 50% – reducing installationcosts. Single bolt joint with positive torqueconnection at 50 ft.-lbs. is standard. See theback cover for optional Joint Guard bolt.Sections can be hung every 10 feet withjust a single drop rod hanger standard upto 2000 amp aluminum or 1600 ampcopper. Spectra bus is extremely light –enough to lighten ceiling loads up to 50%.Easy-to-install, rugged vertical riser hangersupports simplify busway installation andadjustment.www.geelectrical.com3

Spectra Series BuswayFor secure, flexible long-term reliability andminimal maintenance, Spectra buswayoffers up to 1/2” adjustable joints withbelleville spring washers that do notrequire re-torquing.Flex-A-Joint removable isolation jointsallow individual sections to be convenientlytaken out of service with minimum downtimeor interruption of power. Accepts Flex-ATap bolted power take-off devices up to1600 amps at every joint, plug-in or feeder.Plug-assist and plug-position locators simplifyconnection – assuring positive, safe installation.See General Electric installation instructions,publication number DEH-40087 for recommended low maintenance procedures.Note: It is a good practice to de-energize thebusway when installing or removing plugs.Please follow all guidelines in GE publicationDEH-40087 carefully.www.geelectrical.com4

Spectra Series BuswayElectrical DataIntegrated housing ground resistanceSpectra Series busway’s all-aluminum housing provides an extremelylow impedance ground path with less resistance (more continuouscurrent capacity) than internal ground bus bars for both copper andaluminum systems.Spectra Series busway’s integrated housing ground resistance values exceedNEC 250-94 standards for minimum ground conductors.Spectra Series feeder buswayPlug-in outlet grounding may be supplied with optional tin-plated copper tabsbolted to the aluminum housing for superior continuity through standard busplug ground stabs. An internal ground bus bar (50% capacity, .125 inch thick)is also available to provide a complete system.Table 5.1DC Resistance Ohms x 10-3/100 ft. @ 75 CBar 8.250Aluminum Internal①50% Ground Bus8.626.224.874.153.293.112.442.151.861.70Copper Internal50% Ground Ground1.311.211.711.551.341.291.101.020.930.87① The housing could satisfy 50% ground bus conductorrequirements. An internal aluminum ground bar offersno electrical advantage and is not available in theSpectra II option.Busway applications with harmonicsFor busway applications where non-linear loads are present, first determine the specific non-linear load condition for theapplication. Once the non-linear load condition is established, Spectra Series busway should be derated in accordancewith Option A; see Table 5.2 and Fig. 5.1 below.Where full nameplate loading is required, Spectra Series busway should be sized in accordance with Option B; see Table5.2 and Fig. 5.1 below. By increasing the width of both the phase and neutral bars equally, the busway will operate withinUL heat rise limits at full nameplate rating, while also carrying up to twice the rated current in the neutral conductor.Table 5.2Non-linear LoadOption A(Neutral HarmonicNeutralCurrent / Total Phase Derating Phase Bar Bar eelectrical.comFigure 5.1Phase BarNeutral BarOption BPhaseNeutralBarBarWidthWidthNot RequiredX * 1.15X * 1.15X * 1.23X * 1.23X * 1.32X * 1.32X * 1.42X * 1.42X * 1.53X * 1.53XOPTION AX*NOPTION BNote: Please contact your local GE Consumer &Industrial sales office for additional information onapplication of busway with non-linear loads.5

Spectra Series BuswayShort-circuit ratingsThe Spectra Series busway design provides predictable, consistent strength and high short-circuit ratings.The ratings shown below are UL recognized rms symmetrical amps for both feeder and plug-in phase-to-phaseand phase-to-ground. Tests were run at three cycles minimum per UL standards. Additional tests were run atsix cycles. Spectra Series busway is third party certified by KEMA to be in compliance with IEC439-1 and -2short circuit withstand test for 1 and 3 seconds.The short-circuit rating of the busway system with protective devices that are part of the busway, such aspower takeoffs and reducers, is equal to the lower of the short-circuit rating of the protective device or thebusway with which the fitting is used. For example, a fusible power takeoff rated 200,000 amps with Class Jfuses when installed on a busway rated 150,000 amps would have a rating of 150,000 amps.Standard short-circuit busway ratings can be given a higher UL Listed short-circuit rating when protected byspecific J, T, R and Class L fuses as shown below.Table 6.1Short-Circuit Ratings Plug-In and FeederAmp 030003200400050003 and 6 0–Aluminum (kA)1 Sec.11/2417/2428/244250628495121132169169200–3 Secs.6/1410/1416/14242936495570769797140–3 and 6 200Copper (kA)1 Sec.17/4017/4025/4040516576951291501911912002003 Secs.10/2110/2115/21212937445575107110110149200① Use the first value when selecting Spectra Series II busway.Table 6.2Maximum Fuse Sized for Increased Short-Circuit Protection to either 100KA or 200KAAmp 540060080010001200135016002000–2500Max “L” Fuse SizesFor IncreasedShort-Circuit ��3000②–4000②–4000②–4000②Example: A 225A (AL) short circuit ratingwill increase to 100KA with a 1200A (L) fuseinstalled on the line side of the busway,normally mounted in the gear.① Also 600J, 800T or 400R② Also 600J, 800T or 600RStandardsSpectra Series busway conforms to the latest revisions of: NEMA BU-1; ANSI/UL857; federal spec W-B-811b;cUL. Can comply with IEC 439-1 and 2. Contact factory for details.www.geelectrical.com6

Spectra Series BuswayElectrical DataBusway operation at other frequenciesSpectra Series busway continuous current ratings are for 50/60 Hz frequency.For 400 Hz operation, de-rate bus to 85% load.Graph 7.1Effect of ambient temperatureon busway operationMaximum hot spot temperature ( C)@ 100% of rated load135Effect of ambient temperature on busway operation125Graph 7.1 illustrates the effect of various ambient temperature conditions onbusway operating temperature. Spectra Series busway utilizes NEMA Class B130 C insulation. This chart can be used to determine bus operating parametersin accordance with various standards.1151059585UL 857 standard75Note: In addition to the standard illustrated on Graph 7.1, the Bluecoat epoxy insulation of SpectraSeries busway has earned “Class B - 130 C UL recognition in accordance with UL 857.” This superiorinsulation enables Spectra Series busway to operate satisfactorily at 50 C ambient with a 55 C heatrise, allowing 105 C maximum operating temperature. See Graph 7.1 for derating details.655545 Maximum average ambient temperature ( C)010203040 45 50 55 60 65 701.00 .95 .90 .85 .80 .74 .67Multiplier for UL and IEC complianceFig. 7.1Plug-In or Feeder, One or Two 52WALL*4” minimum providesclearance for 30-100amp fusible plugs. 7”minimum for 200 ampfusible plugs. 8” minimumfor all other plugs.WALLWALL250250(3" FOR RISER FLANGE ORSPRING HANGER CLEARANCE)1*25ProximityBelow is a drawing that shows the possible positions of busways relative towalls and to each other. Refer to Graph 7.2 for the proper multiplier requiredto maintain a 55 C rise in a 40 C ambient.Graph 7.2Multiplier1.06Edgewise mounted to wall1.04If horizontally mounted busways are three high, there is an additional multiplying factor of 0.95 for the top run and 0.975 for the center run. The averagecurrent hours per week the busway runs at full load will need to be taken intoaccount to determine if the installation requires derating as shown in Graph 7.2.1.02Edgewise mountedbetween runs1.00.98.96A.94atomglinei&eslinceilingAFldte to cunneetwbeto.92AAA.90Awww.geelectrical.com701234A – Inches56 6.57