EC Aluminum 1350 1370 Tubular Busbar for Power Transmission
What Is EC Grade Aluminum Bus Pipe?
EC (Electrical Conductor) grade aluminum bus pipe refers to high-purity aluminum tubular conductors engineered for high-current transmission in power substations, transformer links, switchgear assemblies, and transmission frameworks.
Among all EC-grade alloys, 1350 and 1370 are the most widely used due to their excellent electrical conductivity (≥60% IACS), low density, efficient heat dissipation, and corrosion resistance.
In addition to 1350 and 1370, other alloys such as 6101, 6061, and 6063 are commonly used in the same applications when higher mechanical strength or specific fabrication flexibility is required.
Below we compare their chemical composition, mechanical properties, conductivity, and available product sizes.
Chemical composition of EC aluminum alloys (1350 / 1370 / 6101 / 6061 / 6063)
| Alloy | Si (%) | Fe (%) | Cu (%) | Mn (%) | Mg (%) | Cr (%) | Zn (%) | Ti (%) | Al (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1350 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.01 | ≤0.01 | — | ≤0.05 | ≤0.03 | ≥99.5 |
| 1370 | ≤0.12 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.01 | ≤0.01 | — | ≤0.07 | ≤0.03 | ≥99.7 |
| 6101 | 0.30–0.7 | ≤0.50 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.03 | 0.35–0.8 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.03 | Balance |
| 6061 | 0.40–0.8 | ≤0.70 | 0.15–0.40 | ≤0.15 | 0.80–1.2 | 0.04–0.35 | ≤0.25 | ≤0.15 | Balance |
| 6063 | 0.20–0.6 | ≤0.35 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.10 | 0.45–0.9 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.10 | Balance |
Electrical & Mechanical properties of EC aluminum tubular pipe
| Alloy | Temper | Electrical Conductivity (%IACS) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1350 | H12, H14, H112 | 61–62 | 90–125 | Substation bus conductors, switchgear connections |
| 1060 | O, H14, H24 | 55–60 | 70–110 | Transformer connections, power distribution |
| 1070 | O, H14 | 60–62 | 75–115 | Electrical bus tubing, connectors, grounding pipes |
| 6101 | T6, T61, T63 | 54–56 | 190–240 | Substation busbars, power transmission lines |
| 6101B | T6, T63 | 53–55 | 200–250 | High-voltage outdoor bus systems, connectors |
| 6061 | T6, T6511 | 40–43 | 240–310 | Structural bus support tubes, electrical enclosures |
| 6063 | T5, T6 | 45–50 | 190–240 | Indoor bus ducts, architectural power structures |
Aluminum 1350 1370 etc. electrical conductivity
1350 / 1370 → Highest conductivity (≥60% IACS), ideal for main busbars.
1060 / 1070 → High-purity alloys for connectors and grounding.
6101 / 6101B → Medium-high conductivity + high strength for outdoor substations.
6063 → Good conductivity and excellent extrusion formability.
6061 → Moderate conductivity but high structural strength for supports and complex bus assemblies.
1350 1370 etc. aluminum pipe diamensions
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Alloys | 1350, 1370, 1060, 1070, 6101, 6101B, 6063 |
| Temper | T6 / T61 / T7 / H14 / H18 / O |
| Outer Diameter | 50 mm – 500 mm |
| Wall Thickness | 1 mm – 20 mm |
| Length Options | 6 / 8 / 10 / 12 / 15 / 18 / 20 / 24 / 30 meters |
| Surface Quality | Smooth, no cracks, wrinkles, inclusions, or deformation |
| Standards | ASTM B241 / B241M, ASTM B429, ASTM B236, EN 755-9 / EN 754-1, IEC 60184 |
Features & Applications of EC Aluminum Tubular Bus Pipes
1. High Conductivity for HV Substations and Transformer Links
The outstanding electrical conductivity of 1350/1370 minimizes power loss, making them ideal for:
High-voltage substation main busbars
Transformer-to-switchgear interconnections
HV feeder lines and distribution nodes
Alloys 6101 and 6063, balancing conductivity and strength, are also widely used in indoor bus ducts and renewable energy inverter connections.
2. Lightweight Yet Strong for Large Outdoor Installations
Aluminum’s low density (one-third of copper) greatly reduces mechanical load, especially on:
Outdoor substation bus frameworks
Elevated transmission structures
Solar farm and wind farm power collection systems
High-strength alloys like 6101 and 6061 support long spans and mechanical stresses, while 1350/1370 are used where weight reduction is critical.
3. Excellent Heat Dissipation for Stable High-Current Operation
The tubular structure maximizes surface area, enhancing convection cooling. This prevents overheating in:
Main power distribution bus pipes
HV coupling tubes
Long industrial power ducts
6101 and 6063 maintain stable thermal performance in continuous heavy-current applications.
4. Corrosion Resistance for Coastal, Industrial, and High-Humidity Environments
All EC aluminum alloys form a robust natural oxide layer (Al₂O₃).
1350/1370 are particularly suitable for coastal substations, HVDC converter stations, and humid regions.
6061 and 6101 combine corrosion resistance with mechanical durability for use in transportation electrification, rail power rails, and mountain outdoor installations.
5. Flexible Fabrication for Complex Power Layouts
Aluminum tubular bus pipes can be easily extruded, bent, drilled, or welded.
6061/6101 are preferred for custom connectors, welded bus duct modules, and installation-specific fittings.
6063 provides excellent extrudability for precision indoor bus duct systems.
This flexibility is ideal for industrial plants, power stations, and data centers requiring customized electrical routing.
6. Cost-Effective Solution for Utility and Industrial Power Systems
With significantly lower raw material and installation costs compared with copper, aluminum tubular bus pipes are the preferred choice for:
Utility substations (up to 500 kV)
Renewable energy collection & grid integration
Heavy industrial power distribution networks
The reduced structural load and long service life greatly improve project economics.
EC Aluminum Wire (1350 / 1370)
Shenzhen Chinalcometal not only provides tubular bus pipes, but also supplies EC-grade aluminum wire in alloys 1350 and 1370, with a diameter range of:
0.12 mm – 6.0 mm
Suitable for:
Transformer windings
Overhead conductors
Power cables & electrical connectors
