Busbar Trunking Selection Guide: Isolsbarra vs, K Series

Choosing the most suitable busbar system for an electrical system is a crucial step in ensuring safety, operational continuity, and consistent performance over time. Each type of busbar has different construction and behavioural characteristics, which make it more or less suitable for specific application contexts.

Among the solutions offered by Graziadio, ISOLSBARRA and the K Series represent two systems with different technologies: one individually insulated in fiberglass or PVC, the other designed with a sandwich architecture to maximize compactness and heat dissipation.

This guide provides a clear and structured comparison of the two systems, helping designers and installers choose the solution best suited to their needs.

Overview of the two systems

ISOLSBARRA

ISOLSBARRA is a system of individually insulated fiberglass or PVC busbar trunking systems, designed to ensure high dielectric strength and maximum protection from external agents such as dust, humidity, and contaminants. The fiberglass or PVC seamlessly insulates the busbars, ensuring constant protection along their entire length, guaranteeing an IP66 or IP68 degree of protection.

Consolidated features:

  • Individually isolated phases.
  • High protection against infiltrations and deposits.
  • Superior mechanical and environmental resistance.
  • Reduction of risks arising from humidity and dust.
  • Ideal for applications with critical or particularly severe environmental conditions.

K Series

The K Series is a sandwich-architecture busbar trunking system designed to offer high compactness, excellent heat dissipation, and great installation versatility. The modular structure allows for rapid installation and efficient space management.

Consolidated features:

  • Sandwich structure that optimizes thermal dissipation.
  • Extremely compact layout.
  • Quick and easy installation thanks to its modularity.
  • Easy maintenance.
  • Versatile solution for industrial and infrastructure applications in standard environmental conditions.

Main construction differences

Insulation technology

  • ISOLSBARRA: total insulation between phases.
  • K Series: insulation achieved with separators and dielectric materials in a sandwich configuration.

Protection from external agents

  • ISOLSBARRA: provides a continuous barrier against humidity, dust and contaminants.
  • K Series: Designed for industrial and infrastructure environments with standard or controlled conditions.

Heat management

  • ISOLSBARRA: fiberglass ensures protection and excellent direct heat dissipation.
  • K Series: Sandwich configuration and compact structure promote more efficient thermal dissipation.

Ideal areas of application

When to choose ISOLSBARRA

The system is suitable when the operating environment requires:

  • The highest level of system protection,
  • Resistance to humidity, dust and contaminants,
  • Reliability even in difficult or changing conditions,
  • High dielectric strength.

It is suitable for all those contexts where service continuity is a priority and the system may be exposed to environmental risks.

When to choose the K Series

The K Series is recommended when the following are priorities:

  • Compact installation,
  • Thermal efficiency,
  • Modularity,
  • Versatility of the electrical system.

It is ideal for general industrial applications, infrastructure and plants where extreme environmental conditions are not present.

Advantages in comparison

Advantages of ISOLSBARRA

  • Superior protection level (IP66-IP68).
  • Greater safety against infiltration and contamination.
  • Stable behaviour in harsh environments.
  • High mechanical strength.

Advantages of the K Series

  • Compact structure that optimizes spaces.
  • Excellent thermal dissipation.
  • Simple and modular installation.
  • Adaptability to many application contexts.
  • Optimal ratio between performance, flexibility and size.

How to choose the most suitable system

The choice between ISOLSBARRA and the K Series depends mainly on three technical factors:

1. Operating environment

  • Critical or severe conditions → ISOLSBARRA
  • Standard or infrastructure environments → K Series

2. Level of protection required

  • Maximum protection and operational continuity → ISOLSBARRA
  • Balance between protection, compactness and efficiency → K Series

3. Project priorities

  • Compactness → K Series
  • Total barrier and complete insulation → ISOLSBARRA

Why trust Graziadio?

Regardless of the system chosen, both busbar trunkings are designed with the same principles that have always characterised Graziadio:

  • Attention to safety,
  • Certified construction quality,
  • Long operating life,
  • Qualified technical assistance,
  • Design and production Made in Italy.

Graziadio supports designers and installers throughout every phase: system definition, component selection, configuration, and dedicated technical support.

 

ISOLSBARRA and the K Series represent two different solutions for different design needs. The former guarantees maximum protection and reliability in harsh environments; the latter offers compactness, versatility, and optimal thermal management. Correctly analysing the application conditions is the first step in choosing the most suitable busbar trunking system and ensuring the system’s high performance over time.

For a complete evaluation of the most suitable solution, it is always advisable to contact the Graziadio technical office for a dedicated analysis.

Italian Breweries

Graziadio supplied the Peroni Brewery in Padua with Isolsbarra 2000 A   , complete with aluminum conductors, for the transformer-panel connection lines. The Carlsberg Italia brewery in Lainate (MI) also received Multiconductor,  a conduit for moving lines.

Hospitals and Energy Continuity

Business continuity, absolute safety, certified reliability: in healthcare contexts, every detail makes the difference.

Our IP66 and IP68 busbars meet the needs of hospitals and healthcare facilities with safe, modular and quiet solutions.

 

Explore the Isolsbarra range here

 

IP66 and IP68: why the degree of protection in busbar trunking is important

In complex industrial environments or those exposed to atmospheric agents, choosing the right degree of protection for electrical systems is a strategic choice . Busbar trunking with IP66 and IP68 protection guarantees continuity, safety, and durability . In this article, we explore what these codes mean, which applications require high protection, and why Graziadio’s Isolsbarra technology is the ideal solution for outdoor installations or in harsh environments.

What is the IP protection rating?

The IP ( Ingress Protection ) degree of protection is a standard defined by the IEC 60529 standard , which indicates the level of protection of an electrical enclosure against the penetration of solid bodies and liquids.

It is made up of two numbers:

First digit: protection against solid objects

  • The first digit (from 0 to 6) refers to protection against dust and solid objects.

Second digit: protection against liquids

  • The second digit (from 0 to 8) indicates the protection against the ingress of water and other liquids.

Application examples

  • IP66 guarantees total protection against dust and resistance to strong jets of water.
  • IP68 ensures the same dust protection, with the addition of the ability to withstand prolonged immersion in water.

Why IP66 and IP68 are important in busbar trunking

In electrical distribution systems, especially when installed outdoors or in harsh environments, the degree of protection is crucial.

Typical applications

Graziadio busbar trunking with Isolsbarra technology offers high protection (up to IP68), designed for:

  • outdoor installations without the need for additional coverings
  • environments with the presence of humidity, dust or risk of flooding
  • areas subject to direct solar radiation or tropical climates

Isolsbarra technology: individually insulated conductors

Graziadio ‘s Isolsbarra solution stands out for its use of individually insulated conductors , a technical feature that directly contributes to achieving high levels of protection.

Advantages of Isolsbarra technology

  • Greater resistance to external agents
  • Watertightness of the casing
  • Continuity of service even in the event of partial damage to a driver
  • Suitability for installation in environments with potentially explosive atmospheres
  • UV protection and fire resistance , according to product regulations

Where is an IP66–68 busbar trunking useful?

Graziadio busbar trunkings with IP66–68 protection are suitable for environments classified as “aggressive”.

Common environmental conditions

  • High humidity or risk of condensation
  • High pressure washing (e.g. food plants)
  • Presence of dust, chemical vapors or corrosive agents
  • Exposure to atmospheric agents (rain, wind, sun)

Intended uses

  • Outdoor industrial environments
  • Plants in marine or tropical areas
  • Tunnels, underpasses, underground areas
  • Areas at risk of flooding

Fire resistance and continuity of service

In addition to protection from dust and liquids, Graziadio busbar trunking is designed to offer resistance to the spread of flame and, where required, fire resistance.

Regulatory requirements in case of fire

  • 30 minutes for alarms and emergency lights
  • 90 minutes for fire-fighting elevators, ventilation, sprinkler systems

Additional casings

For these applications, the ducts can be integrated into an additional protective casing that increases their thermal and mechanical resistance.

Outdoor installations: real-world examples

Here are some examples showing the effectiveness of IP66 and IP68 joints on Isolsbarra busbar trunking:

The concrete advantages of high protection

Long-term benefits

  • Safety and reliability in critical environments
  • Less need for preventative maintenance
  • No additional cost for external coverings
  • Maximum operational continuity even in extreme conditions
  • Compliance with fire regulations
  • Durability even in high-wear environments

Certified reliability Graziadio

Relying on Graziadio for the design and installation of IP66 or IP68 busbar trunking means choosing a certified, durable, and tested solution Isolsbarra technology combines robustness and modularity, allowing for safe installations even in environments requiring the highest levels of protection.

 

Why you should choose Isolsbarra

For electricity INSIDE and OUTSIDE, discover Isolsbarra

Today we are talking about Isolsbarra, which is one of our outdoor ducts: not only indoors, but also outdoors it guarantees energy transport!

It has a particular characteristic… that of transporting electricity underwater, up to 5 meters deep (it is no coincidence that its icon is the elephant, an animal strongly connected to this element).

⚡ Its conductors are individually insulated, by PVC or GRP (thus also ensuring high resistance to short circuits).

It is COMPACT and LIGHT, allowing a very quick and easy installation.

♀️ And then: it is resistant to CORROSION, it is RECYCLABLE and REUSABLE.

If you want to learn more about this product, take a look at the dedicated page on our website and, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us!

why you should choose isolsbarra

PE (Earthing) Why is it important?

❗ PREVENTION OF EQUIPMENT DAMAGE

Our products offer A HIGH EARTHING SYSTEM: it is significant in terms of safety and reliability of operation of electrical systems.

➡ By providing a low resistance earth path, a high PE system can protect sensitive electronic equipment from potential damage caused by electrical faults or power surges. Vital in industries where equipment is critical to operations, in addition to the expense of the equipment

➡ All of our busbars have enhanced protection due to the external casing being produced with aluminium. This metal has a low resistance to electricity and consquently any fault current is discharged through it and then in to the ground

➡ In addition, the earthing system helps to stabilise voltage levels throughout the busbar system, providing a reference point (zero volts) for the system itself which is useful for maintaining the proper functionality of electrical devices.

Polo Davinci-1 Data Center Genova

We have supplied our busbar trunking for the project at Polo Davinci-1, Genova. It is a new Datacenter made by the Italian company Leonardo and it is among the top 100 in the world for power and performance.

Our supplied products are
* GDA 160A & GDA 250A thanks to which we offer a simple plug and play solution for power distribution. Power cables can be quickly installed with a large variety of tap off boxes, switches, plugs and meters.

* Isolsbarra 630A & 1600A busbars in aluminium and IP66

The flexible distribution of energy provided by Graziadio’s products is suitable for moving and changing load distribution frequently, very quickly and without cost.

1600 A ISOLSBARRA on the roof of Fiat Cassino Plant

Isolsbarra 1600 A busbar (IP68) FIAT Cassino, Italy.

Power Busbar Installed For FIAT

IP68 busbar 1600 A Isolsbarra type installed on the roof of FIAT Cassino (South of Italy).
There are 2 lines in parallel with aluminium conductors to feed panels at significant height.
With a rating of IP68, the lines are watertight ensuring no interruption to power supply and meaning that this product can be used despite potentially turbulent weather conditions