Busbar Systems vs. e-chain®

Busbars are horizontal metal conductors used to supply power along the runway or bridge of a crane through steel or copper conductor bars. A collector arm slides along the conductor bar, allowing current to pass from the electrified conductor bar to the moving collector and on to the moving hoist or other traveling element.

Busbars require frequent inspection and maintenance, leading to downtime for the crane system. The collector shoes installed on the collector arms need to be regularly inspected and replaced when they wear out, requiring the system to be powered down for maintenance. Additionally, busbars are limited in the complexity and type of energy they can supply. This can expose bare loaded conductors to the surrounding environment, causing serious safety concerns, especially in hazardous or explosive environments.

Busbars are limited to power or occasionally control circuits, and adding additional components may require a full rebuild of the cable management system. They are also restricted to the transfer of electricity, which may not be sufficient.

Busbars are not suitable for areas with strict hygiene requirements, cleanroom environments, or environments with explosive and highly flammable products.

An e-chain® is suitable for long travels up to 1,000m and is proven to withstand the most demanding environments. This addresses the safety concerns associated with busbars and makes it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Unlike busbars, the e-chain® system can guide energy, data, air, and liquids all in one system, making it suitable for the transfer of electricity as well as data transfer, such as for Ethernet, sensors, and camera systems, which is essential in the era of Industry 4.0.

e-chains® require significantly less installation time and effort compared to busbars, reducing overall setup costs and complexity.