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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Advantages of tin plating vs. bare copper for bus bar?
Please see also --
• Topic 38265 "Why must Copper Bus Bar be Tin Plated?"
• Topic 28003 "Silver Flashing vs Tin Plating of Switchgear Bus Bar"
Q. In a 48 volt DC application, is it necessary to tin plate copper bus (No. 110 / half hard Copper)? Are there any REAL advantages (i.e. better thermals, more reliable electrical connection, less voltage drop, etc.)? It should be noted that the normal operating environment is controlled.
Thanks,
Everett Salinas2002
2002
A. Hi Everett. Something must be done at the connections to insure good electrical conductivity because copper oxidizes and create high resistance joints. The options include silver plating, tin plating, or application of joint compounds such as "No-Ox-Id" from Sanchem. In my experience the joint compounds work well even in severe environments like plating shops, but considering that you may not want a compound on the joints, or if the joint may be taken apart without re-compounding, then tin plating may still be your preferred answer.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Tin corrodes far less than copper. The military uses silver on some of their equipment because it does not form whiskers and is reasonably corrosion resistant with superior transmission of electricity. It actually does not cost terribly more than tin, once a process is established and has a run on a regular basis.
James Watts2002
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