TCB tapped bars with fixing hole

TCB Tapped Bars with Fixing Hole - Professional Earthing Solution

TCB tapped bars with fixing hole are a professional, standardised solution for making earthing and equipotential bonding connections in residential, commercial and industrial electrical installations. With dimensions of 30 x 10 x 1000 mm, these copper bars offer optimum connection capacity for medium to high-power installations.

Construction and materials

TCB busbars are made from high-purity electrolytic copper, the material of choice for earthing applications thanks to its exceptional properties:

• Excellent electrical conductivity: Copper ensures optimum conduction to discharge fault currents
• Corrosion resistance: Guaranteed durability even in damp or aggressive environments
• Malleability: Easy to shape and drill if additional connections are required
• Stability over time: No significant oxidation affecting connection quality
• Electrochemical compatibility: Avoids galvanic couples with copper conductors

The 30 x 10 mm rectangular cross-section offers an optimum compromise between current capacity, size and ease of connection. The standard length of 1000 mm (1 metre) allows you to precisely size your installations, cutting the bar to the required length if necessary.

Tapped holes: multiple connections made easy

The main feature of TCB bars is their pre-drilled tapped holes (internal thread). These holes allow terminals to be screwed in directly without the need for additional drilling on site, offering a number of advantages:

• Time-saving installation: no drilling or tapping required
• Standardised connection: evenly spaced connection points
• Multiple connections: many conductors can be connected to a single bar
• Increased safety: Reliable mechanical tightening with screws and washers
• Easy maintenance: connections can be removed and added without specialist tools

Threaded holes generally accept M6 or M8 screws depending on the model, compatible with most standard earth cable lugs.

Applications in photovoltaic installations

In the field of solar energy, TCB tapped bars play an essential role in guaranteeing the electrical safety and compliance of installations:

• Main equipotential bonding (LEP): Gathering of all protective conductors in the general electrical panel.
• Earthing of structures: Connection of the metal frames of solar panels and mounting systems
• Inverter earthing: Connection of the earth terminals of photovoltaic and hybrid inverters
• Battery earthing: Connection of the common earthing point of storage systems
• DC protection boxes: Earth bars for DC-side switchgear and protection boxes
• Surge arrester earthing: Connection of surge protection devices

To understand the importance of earthing in solar installations, see our guide to earthing diagrams for hybrid inverters.

Sizing and current capacity

The 30 x 10 mm (300 mm² ) cross-section offers high current capacity, suitable for medium- to high-power electrical installations. Although earth bars are not designed as active conductors, their cross-section must be sufficient for :

Installation and use

TCB tapped bars are designed for quick and easy installation in various configurations:

• Mounting in electrical cabinets and panels: DIN rail mounting with suitable brackets or direct screwing to the panel base.
• Wall mounting: Use the pre-drilled mounting holes to screw the busbar to a bracket.
• Horizontal or vertical installation: Choice of orientation depending on the configuration of the equipment room
• Cut to length: The bar can be sawn to fit the available dimensions

To connect the earth conductors, we recommend using crimping lugs adapted to the cable cross-section, then screwing these lugs onto the tapped holes in the bar using screws with washers and locknuts to ensure a reliable, compliant connection.

Standards compliance

TCB tapped busbars must be used in accordance with current electrical standards:

• NF C 15-100: French standard for low-voltage electrical installations (dimensioning of protective conductors)
• IEC 60364: International standard for electrical installations in buildings
• EN 50522: Earthing of electrical installations supplied with alternating current.

According to NF C 15-100, the main protective conductor (linking the earthing point to the main switchboard) must have a minimum cross-section determined by the cross-section of the phase conductors. The TCB 30x10 busbar provides more than enough cross-sectional area for most residential and commercial installations.

Advantages of TCB bars with tapped holes

• Highly conductive electrolytic copper: Premium material for electrical applications
• Generous 30x10 mm cross-section: High current capacity and mechanical strength
• Pre-drilled tapped holes: quick installation without drilling on site
• Convenient 1 metre length: flexible sizing by cutting
• Multiple connections: Numerous connection points on a single bar
• Corrosion resistance: Guaranteed durability over time
• Universal compatibility: Accepts standard terminals with M6/M8 screws
• Complies with electrical standards: NF C 15-100 and IEC 60364
• Versatile installation: Wall, box or rail mounting
• Enhanced safety: Reliable, removable screw connections

Complements your electrical installation

TCB tapped busbars can be integrated into a complete earthing and electrical protection system. For a safe, compliant installation, combine them with :

• Earthing cables: H07V-K or H07V-R green-yellow conductors of appropriate cross-section (4, 6, 10, 16 mm²)
• Wiring lugs: Crimp lugs adapted to the cable cross-sections used
• Earthing clips: For quick connection of the metal structures of solar panels
• Earthing rods: For external earthing (if not already installed)
• Measuring rods: For periodic checks on earth resistance

Discover our complete range of earthing cables and earthing clips to complete your installation.

Installation in electrical cabinets

In an electrical panel or protection box, the TCB bar acts as a central grouping point for all the installation's protective conductors (green-yellow wires):

• Connection of the main earth conductor coming from the external earth socket
• Connection of the protective conductors of all the electrical circuits
• Earth the metal frame of the box or panel
• Connection of protective devices (surge arresters, overvoltage arresters)
• Local equipotential bonding of surrounding metal grounds

This centralisation on a common busbar ensures that all metal parts of the installation are at the same electrical potential (earth potential), which is essential for the safety of people and the correct operation of differential protection devices.

The importance of earthing in photovoltaic systems

In a photovoltaic installation, earthing fulfils a number of critical safety functions:

• Protection against electric shock: Evacuation of fault currents to earth
• Protection against lightning: Dissipation of atmospheric surges via lightning arresters
• Fire prevention: Elimination of insulation faults that can create electric arcs
• Equipment protection: Prevents destruction of inverters and batteries by power surges
• Regulatory compliance: Compliance with legal obligations in terms of electrical safety

To find out more about earthing solar installations, read our complete photovoltaic installation guide on the Wattuneed blog.

Installation recommendations

To ensure the efficiency and durability of your earthing system with TCB bars:

• Use quality crimping lugs suited to the cross-section of the cables
• Apply contact grease to copper-to-copper connections to prevent oxidation
• Observe the recommended tightening torques for screws (generally 4-6 Nm for M6, 6-8 Nm for M8)
• Use flat washers and lock washers to prevent the screws from loosening
• Make sure the bar is properly secured mechanically to prevent movement
• Do not mix copper and aluminium in direct contact (risk of galvanic corrosion)
• Clearly identify the bar as a protective conductor (green-yellow marking)

Packaging and reference

TCB tapped bars are sold individually in standard lengths of 1000 mm (1 metre). The bar can be cut to the required length with a hacksaw if required.

Manufacturer reference : BUSBAR-TCB | EAN : 0768563817977

Dimensions: 30 x 10 x 1000 mm

If you have any technical questions about sizing your earthing system, choosing the right cable cross-sections, or for advice on the correct installation of your photovoltaic earthing system, our support team is at your disposal at support.wattuneed.com.