Lighting and Power Busbar Systems
Busbars and sustainability: efficient solutions for the future
Sustainability in the industrial world is no longer just an ethical principle, but a competitive lever . Today, companies are faced with designing electrical systems that ensure production continuity, reduced consumption, and adaptability over time. In this scenario, the busbar trunking system (bus duct) is not simply a technical solution for energy distribution: It is a strategic asset that contributes to the construction of more responsible, long-lasting infrastructures that are ready for the evolution of production processes.
Sustainability, in fact, is not expressed only through immediate energy savings, but through a system’s ability to maintain constant performance over the long term , with fewer interventions, less material waste and greater operational efficiency.
A conscious design choice
Busbar trunking as an industrial infrastructure
Busbar trunking is a prefabricated system that uses conductive busbars protected by a metal casing.
It was created to guarantee:
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- stable power distribution,
- low levels of dispersion,
- neat and modular installations.
But beyond the technical advantages, what sets it apart is its consistency with a vision of a system that must last over time.
Life cycle as a design parameter
From an industrial sustainability perspective, it’s not just the initial cost that matters.
What matters is the plant’s useful life and its ability to:
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- maintain consistent performance,
- adapt to new loads,
- reduce production downtime,
- be inspected, expanded and updated without demolition or waste.
Busbar trunking was created precisely for this type of logic.
Sustainability as business continuity
Reliability that reduces waste and risks
Any interruption in the electrical distribution generates:
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- indirect costs,
- production waste,
- loss of efficiency.
The robustness of busbar trunking drastically reduces the probability of unplanned failures, making a concrete contribution to the economic and environmental sustainability of the production site.
Energy efficiency as a cumulative value
The controlled geometry of the conductors and the reduction of electrical resistance along the path contribute to:
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- reduce Joule losses,
- maintain more stable operating temperatures,
- improve overall system performance.
This is not a one-time saving, but a benefit that accumulates every day , throughout the life of the system.
Modularity and adaptability: designing for the future
Growth and reconfiguration without waste
Industrial production is evolving: lines are expanding, loads are changing, areas are being repurposed.
A sustainable plant is one that can grow without demolishing , replacing, or throwing away.
The barrier allows:
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- adding derivations without reworking,
- routes that can be modified over time,
- integration with new panels and utilities.
It is a system created to accompany the company’s development , not to constrain it.
Reduction of maintenance interventions
The ability to easily inspect and verify joints enables predictive, rather than corrective, maintenance.
Fewer emergencies = less waste = greater sustainability.
Where sustainability becomes a strategic necessity
Critical Infrastructure
Data centres , hospitals, transportation, and large-scale logistics: contexts where electrical continuity is a mission , not an option.
Here, busbar trunking ensures long-term resilience and stability.
Advanced industrial plants
In sectors where energy represents a strategic cost item, such as:
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- automotive,
- food,
- manufacturing,
- packaging, an efficient and modular system allows for greater operational control.
A forward-looking approach to sustainability
Designing today for future performance
Sustainability isn’t just about reducing immediate consumption.
It’s:
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- choose recyclable materials,
- reduce substitutions,
- limit invasive interventions,
- ensure performance stability over time.
An investment that generates value
Sustainability becomes a competitive advantage when:
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- extends the useful life of the systems,
- reduces downtime costs,
- improves production efficiency.
Busbar fits perfectly into this logic.
Conclusion
Busbar trunking isn’t simply a technical choice. It’s a strategic
decision , consistent with an industry that aims to:
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- business continuity,
- responsibility in the use of resources,
- systems designed to last.
The solutions developed by Graziadio & C. are born with this vision: to guarantee modular, safe, and high-performance systems, designed to support today’s industrial plants and prepare them for tomorrow’s evolutions.
To help you determine the best solution for your facility’s needs, our technical team is available for a personalized consultation.
Busbar in Shopping Centres
In large commercial spaces, efficiency and flexibility are essential.
Our busbar systems guarantee:
– Secure deployment
– Modularity for future growth
– Easy installation and maintenance.
Busbar Trunking and Energy Efficiency: How To Reduce Joule Losses
Busbar trunking and energy efficiency: how to reduce Joule losses
Every time electricity passes through a conductor, some of the energy is transformed into heat: this is the so-called Joule effect . This is an inevitable phenomenon, but it has concrete consequences for electrical systems: wasted energy, stressed components, higher costs, and a greater risk of failure .
Reducing Joule losses means improving energy efficiency and ensuring safer and more sustainable systems. Busbar trunking , thanks to its innovative structure, is the ideal solution for those seeking a high-performance, reliable electrical distribution system that meets modern energy challenges.
The Joule Effect: Why Limiting It Is Essential
The Joule effect is directly related to the resistance of conductors . In traditional cable systems, the paths are often long, twisted, and disordered. This increases resistance and, consequently, the amount of energy converted into heat.
The result?
- high Joule losses ,
- less efficient systems ,
- higher energy consumption ,
- components subject to constant overheating .
In an industrial or infrastructure context, these inefficiencies translate into significant economic costs and risks to business continuity.
Learn more about how Graziadio guarantees maximum safety in its systems in the Certifications section.
How busbar trunking reduces Joule losses
The busbar trunking is designed to minimize electrical resistance and therefore reduce Joule losses.
Thanks to the flat copper or aluminium conductors , enclosed in a metal casing, the current flows along straight and orderly paths , drastically reducing the amount of energy lost as heat.
This configuration guarantees:
- less heat wasted,
- more energy actually available,
- a more efficient and safe distribution .
Discover the full range of Graziadio Busbar Conduits
The advantages of the busbar trunking
Energy efficiency
A busbar system maximizes available energy. The lower resistance of flat conductors limits Joule losses , reducing waste and making distribution more efficient.
Cost reduction
Less energy loss translates into lower consumption and real savings. For energy-intensive businesses and infrastructures, busbar trunking represents an investment that guarantees tangible and long-lasting savings .
Greater security
Excess heat is a major cause of failures and fires. By limiting Joule losses, busbar trunking ensures more stable, reliable, and safe systems.
Longevity of the implants
Reducing thermal stress means preserving component life, reducing maintenance and ensuring more resilient systems in the long term.
Sustainability
A system that limits Joule losses and wastes less energy contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions. Busbar trunking is therefore a technical and ethical choice, in line with sustainability objectives.
Busbar duct: a qualitative leap compared to cables
Busbar trunking isn’t just an alternative to cables, but a more advanced system . In traditional cables, long lengths and twists create resistance and increase Joule losses.
Busbar trunking, on the other hand, is compact, tidy, and efficient. It reduces resistance, simplifies installation, and ensures safer, more sustainable, and future-proof power distribution .
Where it is convenient to use busbar trunking
The busbar trunking is ideal in all contexts where efficiency and safety are priorities:
- Data center , to reduce consumption and ensure operational continuity.
- Hospitals , where reliability and safety are paramount.
- Manufacturing industries , where reducing Joule losses means increased productivity.
- Airports and critical infrastructure , which require large-scale, secure electrical distribution.
Read also: Busbar trunking for data centers: modular and reliable solutions for power continuity
Conclusions
The Joule effect is inevitable, but it can be contained and transformed into an advantage . Busbar trunking is the answer: it reduces Joule losses, improves energy efficiency, increases system safety, and contributes to environmental sustainability.
Choosing a busbar trunking means investing in reliability, savings and innovation .
Want to make your systems more efficient? Explore the Graziadio Busbar Trunking range and contact our team for a personalized consultation.
Thanks
Thanks to Mirko Cavatore Ercole, Research and Development Manager at Graziadio, for his valuable technical contribution to this article.
Electrical solutions for the food industry
Cleanliness, safety and continuity: in the food industry, every detail counts.
Our systems are ideal for environments with high hygiene standards, thanks to IP66 protections and resistant materials.
5 mistakes to avoid when choosing a busbar system – and how to prevent them
The choice of busbar trunking directly impacts the safety, continuity of service, and total cost of ownership (TCO) of a system. A properly sized and certified system reduces unplanned downtime, simplifies future expansions, and maintains stable power distribution under all operating conditions.
In this article, we analyze the 5 most common mistakes made when selecting and designing a busbar trunking system , with practical suggestions for avoiding them and concrete examples of Graziadio lines that help prevent any critical issues.
Why the busbar trunking is the main element of the distribution
In many industrial plants, manufacturing plants, logistics facilities, data centers, hospitals, and airports, busbar trunking is the backbone of distribution: it connects electrical panels, powers backbones and process lines, and delivers energy safely and orderly to where it’s needed.
Compared to traditional cables it offers significant advantages:
- Higher current density
- Orderly paths and less clutter
- Faster installation
- Modularity and possibility of specific derivations
Precisely because it is the heart of the system, errors in the selection or sizing phase can cause overheating, voltage drops, maintenance difficulties and non-compliance with regulations.
Mistake 1 – Undersizing the flow rate
Problem
Often the busbar trunking is chosen “flush” with the current absorption, neglecting:
- Load peaks due to start-ups or production cycles
- Environmental conditions that influence the permissible flow rate
- Growth margin for future expansions
Risks
Overheating, insulation degradation, reduced service life, and abnormal voltage drops.
How to avoid it
- Collect realistic load profiles
- Apply correct environmental coefficients
- Consider voltage drop and reserve margin
Graziadio Solutions
- GDA/GDR – 63-250 A
- K SERIES – 800-5000 A
- ISOLSBARRA – 630-6300 A and ISOLFLEX – 630-6300 A
- J SERIES – 63-160 A
- PRODUCTOR – 50-400 A
Error 2 – Ignoring the installation environment
Problem
Underestimating the IP rating or corrosion resistance can lead to failure and premature degradation.
How to avoid it
- Evaluate humidity, dust, chemical agents, washing and temperature
- Choose compatible casings and gaskets
- Design routes that avoid water stagnation
Graziadio Solutions
Mistake 3 – Neglecting short circuit resistance
Problem
A busbar trunking may be suitable for the rated current but not sufficiently certified to withstand the stresses of a short circuit.
How to avoid it
- Know the presumed short circuit current and the intervention time of the protections
- Choose ducts with type tests suitable for the required Icw/Ipk
- Check for correct tightening and grounding
Graziadio Solutions
Mistake 4 – Not designing flexibility
Problem
“Closed” systems without provision for branches or expansions require complex and costly interventions.
How to avoid it
- Provide strategic branch points
- Plan extra flow in critical sections
- Use modular systems
Graziadio Solutions
Mistake 5 – Saving on quality and certifications
Problem
A cheap product without adequate certifications can lead to hidden costs and operational risks.
How to avoid it
- Check type tests and documentation
- Check the availability of spare parts
- Rely on qualified technical support
Graziadio Solutions
Use cases and applications
- Manufacturing and Automation: GLS, MULTICONDUCTOR, GDA, J SERIES
- Logistics and Large-Scale Retail: K SERIES, GDA/GDR, J SERIES
- Data centers: K SERIES, ISOLSBARRA, GDA
- Food Industry: ISOLSBARRA, GDA
- Civil Infrastructure: GDA/GDR, K SERIES, GLS
Quick checklist
- Load profiles and peaks
- Voltage drop
- Installation environment
- Short circuit resistance
- Modularity and sockets
- Installation and accessories
- Documentation and certifications
- Spare parts and assistance availability
Avoid these 5 mistakes
It means having a safe, continuous, and sustainable electrical distribution over time. Graziadio offers a full range of solutions, from light distribution to high-current backbones and medium voltage, with technical support at every stage.
Discover the entire Graziadio range and request a consultation for your system.
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.
Compact Power For Great Performance!
When space is limited but performance must remain high, our K SERIES is born:
– Current from 800 to 5000 A
– Up to IP55 degree of protection
– Simple and safe installation
Compact, flexible and high-performance: perfect for civil, tertiary and industrial systems.
See all the specifics here