APTP Articles

Reduce Downtime and Onsite Welding with Fabricated Busbar Systems

Since 2005, PLP has been supplying Substation connectors & fittings along with fabricated Busbar Systems in the Substations owned by major Transmission & distribution Utilities, private renewable energy hubs and mining owned substations across Australia and New Zealand. 

At PLP we don’t want to be “just another supplier” but rather we want to work in partnership with our customers. We provide solutions; not just product, and work with Engineering Consultants, Utility Engineers, Electrical Design Consultants to deliver the best possible design for each specific Substation fittings application and bus work. 

Solutions

In recent years there has been a push from our customers to work on solutions that reduce, as much as possible, the requirement for onsite welding. Given busbar spans can be over 30 meters it is not always possible to eliminate all welding on site, but by working closely with our clients we can work on solutions that keep this number as low as possible. PLP has recently delivered busbars to major projects around the country that are up to 25 meters long as a fully fabricated busbar system. The busbars are supplied pre-welded with the required end palms, flags, end caps, earthing stirrups and damping cable installed. The whole system is loaded on to an extendable semi-trailer and can be transported on to the site with the help of pilot vehicles. 

PLP understands the cost and risk of having to organise and complete onsite welds. Mobilisation of personnel and equipment to site often at the mercy of the weather and the risk to quality compared to a weld completed in our factory in a controlled environment. Along with the welded busbar solution PLP has been supplying for many years we can also offer bolted and flange type busbar jointing solutions. These solutions allow the joining of lengths of busbar without the requirement for onsite welding. PLP has a long history of supplying these products to our Utility customers around the world and more recently have supplied them to projects in Australia to help remove the requirement for onsite welding entirely. 

For an Engineered Solution on Substation Fittings and Busbars please reach out to our experienced local team based in Glendenning (Western Sydney). Or feel free to contact your local PLP representative to organise a tour of our manufacturing facilities. PLP Australia – The connection you can count on!

PLP Australia