Track Busway FAQs – Flexible Overhead Power Distribution

A busway is a prefabricated power distribution system: insulated copper or aluminium busbars inside a protective housing. It replaces conduit and loose cable runs with a modular track so you can add or move power without rewiring.

Busbars are the conductors themselves; busway is the complete system with fittings, tap-off units, and accessories to safely distribute power.

A busway system has conductors made of copper or aluminum inside a protective housing. You can easily install and re-install various types of power connections, including lighting with plug-in busways.

Steel Track Busway is a plug-in busway offering immense flexibility in configuring your space to specific requirements.

Electrical standards identify busway systems as low, medium, or high voltage.
Steel Track Busway is a low voltage busway listed for up to 600V (the common voltage range in North America is 120 or 277V).

Steel Track Busway features a continuous insulator that complies with the UL “Finger Safe Probe” standard.

Steel Track Busway has three copper wires embedded in our extruded insulator.

Track Busway insulated busbars are typically in an aluminum housing.

Steel Track Busway is roll formed in the shape of strut. In addition to dropping power, steel track busway is cost-effective for lighting. No longer should you see lighting track mounted to un-wired steel strut.

Typical support spacing is 4–10 ft; our USA TrackBusway™️ can span up to 10 ft. Plan supports before layout to keep runs straight and within load limits.

The main components include runs (straight sections), joiners, elbows, tees, crosses, jumpers, feeds, and plug-in tap boxes, along with accessories for lighting, data, and mounting.

Feeder – moves power over distance with few or no tap points.

Plug-in – provides frequent tap points for flexible layouts and equipment moves.

Sections are suspended from threaded rod/Unistrut and joined with integrated mechanical/electrical connectors. Typical support spacing is 4–10 ft (our Steel Track Busway can span up to 10 ft). Plan supports before layout to keep runs straight and within load limits.

Up to ~100 lb of combined load per span (between supports), including plug-ins, cords, and attached fixtures. Verify per product series and local code.

Yes. Plug-in units can be repositioned without rewiring. Your maintenance team or a licensed electrician (per site policy) can relocate units with minimal disruption.

UL 857 and NEC Article 368 are the primary standards for busway electrical distribution systems. The National Electrical Code (NEC) governs safe installation of wiring and equipment, while Underwriters Laboratories (UL) defines construction, performance, and safety criteria. Our Steel Track Busway is listed by Intertek, a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), to UL standards for low-voltage busways, and building inspectors acknowledge this listing for safety compliance.

Yes. Live parts are isolated inside the housing and the access slot is designed to be finger-safe. Tap-off units interlock to maintain secure electrical contact.

Low-voltage systems up to 600 V, including 120/208 V and 277/480 V. Single-phase and three-phase options are available depending on series.

Yes. Where needed, specify enclosures with suitable ingress protection (e.g., NEMA 3R/IP ratings), stainless hardware, and sealed fittings.

Yes. Track Busway keeps conductors enclosed inside the housing, and plug-in units are engineered to connect ground before live power. Each plug-in also has its own breaker or switch, so units can be installed or removed without exposing workers to energized wiring. This design minimizes risks of shock and arc flash compared to panelboards or hardwired conduit systems.

Track Busway is listed to UL 857 and designed to align with NEC and OSHA requirements. Its enclosed housing, continuous grounding, and breaker-equipped plug-ins simplify compliance and provide a safer alternative to exposed wiring methods.

The busway housing acts as a continuous ground path. Plug-in devices are designed with a ground-first feature, meaning they automatically ground to the housing before connecting to energized conductors. This ensures every unit is safely grounded as soon as it’s installed.

Key benefits include faster installation compared to conduit, flexible layouts with easy adds and changes, cleaner ceilings and better space utilization, lower lifetime costs with minimal maintenance, and high safety with finger-safe design and secure plug-ins.

Up-front hardware can cost more than conduit. Good planning is needed for support spacing, load balancing, and future capacity.

No new conduit runs for adds/moves/changes, secure twist-lock connections, and maintenance-free joints keep operations running while layouts evolve.

Yes—layout assistance, drawings, BIM/Revit models, and project submittals are available. We can also advise on series/amp selection.

Commissioning, power-meter setup, preventative maintenance, and expansion planning.

Yes. Choose breaker ratings, outlet types (receptacles, IEC, hardwire), and optional metering to match your loads and workflows.

Optional metered tap-offs and inline meters provide real-time V/A/kW/kWh. We support common protocols (e.g., Modbus/SNMP/BACnet) for BMS/DCIM integration.

Busway eliminates pipe bending and wire pulls, so installs are typically much faster. Expansions and reconfigurations can be done in hours, not days.

We provide adjustable hangers and fittings (elbows/tees/crosses) to route around obstructions, maintain working clearances, and hit the correct drop points

No routine maintenance is required. The joints and plug-in fittings are engineered to remain secure without tightening. While facilities may choose to check hangers or perform thermal scans as part of standard safety practices, the system itself is built to operate maintenance-free.

Yes. Each plug-in has a local disconnect, allowing it to be switched off before installation or removal. This means additional loads or relocations can be handled while the rest of the busway remains energized, avoiding production shutdowns.

Track Busway supports both single-phase and three-phase configurations up to 600 volts, with multiple amp ratings to serve lighting, equipment, and heavy machinery. One system can cover general power distribution as well as specialized loads.

Track busway is used in manufacturing and assembly lines, warehouses and distribution centers, laboratories and R&D facilities, indoor agriculture, retail and commercial spaces such as supermarkets, and data centers or other mission-critical facilities.

Yes. Use lower-amp series for lighting circuits and mid/high-amp series for equipment power. You can mix tap-offs along the same run if it’s engineered for the combined load.

Unlike traditional busway styles with fixed tap-off points, Track Busway has an open channel that accepts plug-ins anywhere along the run. This flexibility lets you bring power to the exact location you need it, instead of rearranging equipment to fit existing outlets.

Track Busway is engineered for decades of service. With no moving parts inside the housing and durable boltless joints, the system provides reliable power distribution over the long term with minimal upkeep.

Yes. Track Busway is adaptable for commercial, retail, and industrial settings. It can be installed in open ceilings, warehouses, high-bay facilities, or manufacturing floors, making it versatile for many types of projects.