Evaluation of Electromagnetic Performances of Three Parallel Cable Systems and a Busbar System Used in Power Distribution Network Under High THD Harmonic Loading with FEM

The selection and sizing of grid components for energy distribution are essential for both the reliable operation of the network and its sustainability. Increasing harmonic components, driven especially by electric vehicle charging stations, energy storage systems, and microgrid structures, affect the operating conditions of the distribution grid. This study examines the behavior of cable and busbar systems commonly used for energy distribution, under high harmonic operating conditions. For this purpose, electromagnetic analyses were carried out using the finite element method. In this study, one busbar system and three different cable systems, each consisting of three parallel cables with approximately equivalent current-carrying capacity, were examined. In these analyses, the current distributions in the conductors of the cable and busbar systems, the magnetic field distributions around the conductors, and the losses in the systems were examined under current waveforms with different total harmonic distortion values. The results of the analysis show that busbar systems can be more advantageous than cable systems with respect to conductor current distribution and magnetic field levels. Furthermore, when examined with respect to losses, busbar systems can be more advantageous, particularly as harmonic levels increase.