Busbars & Grounding Products

For complex power distribution needs, busbars and grounding products are often highly efficient and cost-effective solutions. With the ability to both conduct and ground electricity as desired, it is essential to ensure that you source components that are well-suited to the task. That’s why, at RS, we offer a huge range of busbars and grounding products to choose from.

The components that we offer are designed to facilitate high-current power distribution – and to maximize the performance of your operations – no matter the application or environment. From data centers to places of learning, we can supply busbars and grounding products across the country. Both now and in the future, we have your electrical requirements covered.

For components from world-leading manufacturers like ABB Thomas & Betts and Panduit, take a look at what RS offers – and how we can meet all your power distribution needs.

What are busbars?

A brass, aluminum or copper busbar is a metallic strip or bar. They come in numerous shapes and sizes, which determine the maximum current (ampacity) it can carry in a safe and reliable manner. This also means it is crucial to install one that is most appropriate for your specific use.

Its role is to receive power from your supply point and then distribute it to output circuits. Unlike cables, however, there is typically no insulation involved. Busbars are often located in their own separate enclosures. Used as a node or a junction in power distribution applications, busbars can be housed in switchgear or panel boards – as well as busway enclosures.

Why do you need a grounding busbar?

A grounding busbar is used in settings when you need or wish to have a common grounding – or earthing – point within your power distribution network. One of the major advantages of a brass, aluminum or copper ground bar is that you can put one anywhere in its enclosure or on the rack.

As such, installation is quicker and more efficient than cables. A grounding – or neutral – busbar also lowers any need for routine maintenance, decreasing the risk of downtime. This can be crucial in industries where uninterrupted power distribution is essential – telecommunications and grid supply being two prominent examples.

It is not uncommon, however, for some power neutral busbars to come with insulation.

What other grounding products do we supply?

Busbars are just one of the first-class power grounding products that we can supply. Our range includes other clips, connectors, and components that can maximize the efficiency of any power distribution network. Explore our selection of other grounding products that you may require:

Busbar connectors

The role of a busbar in any network is a critical one. With the amount of power involved, it can be easy to overlook the importance of durable connectors. As some power applications become smaller and more complex, it becomes less effective to use methods such as welding or bolting to make the connections. This is where busbar connectors are increasingly being used.

These compact components are an ideal option where space is at a premium. They are simple to install, as well as inspect for issues. More importantly, busbar connectors will not compromise the conductivity and grounding capabilities of your busbar.

Split bolt connectors & clips

Our range of split bolt connectors and clips puts an emphasis on durability and performance. If you need to joint or connect copper earthing conductors within a power network, these are an excellent solution. Often, no specialist tools are required for installation and they eliminate any need for crimping. Instead, wires are stacked inside the bolt or clip and secured with a nut.

Grounding rods

A grounding rod (or earth rod) offers a direct earthing method in a power distribution network. These products can be especially helpful if you cannot use a mains socket connection. With its direct earthing, there is less wiring involved. As good conductors of electricity, grounding rods can quickly and safely redirect any power surges to the earth.

This can also help reduce the risk of damage to other parts and components in your network.

Where are busbars and grounding products installed?

As complex electrical and power networks become more commonplace in modern industry, so too do grounding busbars and other grounding products. In addition to providing added safety for those using machinery and systems that are supplied with power, busbars also offer much greater flexibility and cost-control at the installation and maintenance phase.

Some of the industries in which brass, aluminum and copper ground busbars are used include:

• Mobile and ground telecommunications
• Local area networks and data centers
• Power generation and traction systems
• Laboratories, colleges, and universities
• Factories, assembly, or production lines

At RS, we supply busbars and grounding products to a wide range of industries and for various applications. For all your power distribution needs, explore our product choice today and obtain the parts and components that are best suited to yours.

Why choose RS for your busbars and grounding products?

When you require parts and products for a power distribution network, it is essential that you can trust the quality and reliability. As the largest authorized distributor of busbars and other grounding products in North America, we only work with leading brands and manufacturers – ensuring that you can depend on us to provide whatever the job requires.

To locate the exact products that you are looking for, please use our dynamic search filters to refine our range. You can also type the name or part number of what you require into the top search bar for a quicker, more effective way to complete your order. Whatever you need, you are sure to discover the solutions and products that are appropriate to your application.

For any further support you could benefit from, please get in touch with our friendly team of advisers. After all, we are committed to ensuring your experience is a pleasant one. You can make use of our free expert content hub too – full of advice and extra information about our busbars and grounding products to help you make an informed ordering decision.