Hitachi Cable, Ltd., is pleased to announce that in November 2002 it will bring to market the Hitachi AD (ADvanced) isolated bus duct, which substantially reduces branching costs and uses highly environmentally sound materials.
In comparison to cable-based electric power distribution methods, bus ducts offer higher capacity, lower impedance, and greater flame resistance. Also, a unique feature of plug-in type bus ducts is that they enable the addition or relocation of power branches without requiring the disruption of power to the main line.
However, a problem with traditional plug-in branching is the cost of installing plug-in holes in the main section of the bus duct to which plug-in devices are attached.
To overcome this problem, Hitachi Cable has reengineered the Hitachi AD bus duct so that the connections of each bus duct act in the same manner as plug-in holes, thus enabling power branching from the connections rather than the main sections of the bus ducts. This is the single most unique feature of the Hitachi AD bus duct, and it completely eliminates plug-in hole installation costs.
The manufacture of the Hitachi AD bus duct incorporates a new method in which plug-in clip receiving tabs are attached to the conductor connection. Also, whereas the maximum branching capacity of traditional products has been 600A, the Hitachi AD bus duct enables 1,000A in branching capacity. This allows branching of up to 1,000A without disconnecting the power to the main line. (The Hitachi AD bus duct's manufacture is patent pending.)
In tap bar branching, the Hitachi AD bus duct enables branching of 800A per connection standard and 1,500A maximum.
Furthermore, the Hitachi AD bus duct is also friendlier to the environment than previous models. The isolated material of the bus duct's main section is 100% halogen-free, and its coloration uses JIS standard pigments that contain no heavy metals. This enhanced environment-friendliness is offered at no increase in selling price.
The product also features simple connection construction (maintenance-free with no need for removal and replacement of connecting bolts) and high connection reliability, features that have always been part of the competitive edge of Hitachi Cable bus ducts.
By adding the highly customer-satisfying Hitachi AD bus duct to its product lineup, Hitachi Cable intends to increase annual net sales of its bus duct series from the current level of 600 million yen to the 900 million yen mark in three years' time.

The Hitachi AD bus duct is manufactured by:
Hitachi Cable Industrial Products, Ltd.
4-12-1 Hitaka-cho, Hitachi-City
Ibaraki, Japan