Literature review has shown that small distribution substations used for medium voltage make use of overcurrent relays to provide busbar protection and large substations make use of differential protection schemes. This technical article explains a busbar theory at the distribution. These types of protection are typically applied on distribution busbars, where fault current magnitudes are lower and speed is generally less critical than with transmission busbars. Differential protection provides high speed fault-clearing necessary for critical busbars such as transmission. A busbar is a strip or bar of copper, brass or aluminum that conducts electricity within a switchboard, a substation or a battery bank. Its purpose is to conduct a substantial current of electricity. In the case of a fault, current on the busbar becomes high, resulting to mechanical destruction which would affect all feeders. However, due to impedance grounding, the single-phase-to-ground short circuit current have small.
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