DIN 43670 1975-12 PDF

Full title and description

DIN 43670:1975-12 — Aluminium bus bars; design for continuous current. (German title: "Stromschienen aus Aluminium; Bemessung für Dauerstrom"). The document specifies methods, tabulated values and environmental assumptions used to size aluminium busbars for continuous (steady-state) current operation.

Abstract

This standard gives design values and tables for aluminium bus bars under continuous current conditions. Tables are based on assumptions about surrounding air (still), surface condition (partly oxidised or painted) and approximate emissivity values; guidance is included for open installations, enclosed assemblies and assemblies with packages of bars. The document is concise (approx. 10 pages) and focuses on thermal/current‑carrying design rather than mechanical details.

General information

• Status: Published DIN standard; listed as valid/current in standards catalogues and available for purchase.
• Publication date: December 1975 (1975-12 / 1 December 1975).
• Publisher: Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN).
• ICS / categories: 29.060.10 (Wires / busbars).
• Edition / version: Edition 1975-12 (replaces DIN 43670:1964-11).
• Number of pages: 10 pages.

Scope

The scope covers thermal and current‑rating design for aluminium bus bars used in electrical installations under continuous load. It provides dimensioning tables and guidance that account for installation conditions (open air, enclosed, bundles), surface emissivity (oxidised or painted) and typical air movement assumptions relevant to steady-state heating and heat dissipation. Mechanical connection details and transient or fault current calculations are outside the main scope.

Key topics and requirements

• Tabulated current‑carrying capacities for typical aluminium busbar cross sections under specified installation conditions.
• Assumptions on surrounding air (still/quiet vs. ventilated) and surface emissivity (oxidised vs. painted) that affect thermal calculations.
• Guidance for open installations, enclosed assemblies and bar‑packages (adjustment factors for tables).
• Coordination with related busbar connection and hole‑drilling standards (referenced DIN documents for connectors and connections).

Typical use and users

Engineers and designers of low‑voltage and distribution switchgear, electrical installation designers, manufacturers of busbar systems and switchgear, and standards librarians use this standard when sizing aluminium busbars for continuous operation and when checking thermal performance assumptions for in‑service installations. Maintenance and testing teams may consult the tables for routine verification of busbar ratings.

Related standards

Related documents include companion standards on copper bus bars and connectors (for example DIN 43671 and various parts of DIN 43673/43675 series) and later part standards for special constructions (e.g., copper‑clad aluminium variants). The standard history shows earlier DIN 43670 (1964) and later related parts (1970s–1980s).

Keywords

Aluminium bus bars; busbar design; continuous current; current‑carrying capacity; thermal rating; emissivity; installation conditions; DIN 43670.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: DIN 43670:1975-12 is a German DIN standard that specifies design and tabulated values for aluminium bus bars intended to carry continuous current.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers thermal sizing and current‑rating guidance for aluminium busbars, including tables and adjustment factors for different installation and surface conditions; it does not primarily address mechanical connection geometry or transient/fault thermal effects.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Electrical designers, switchgear and busbar manufacturers, installation engineers and standards libraries use it when specifying or checking continuous‑current ratings for aluminium busbars.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 1975 edition (DIN 43670:1975-12) replaced an earlier 1964 edition; several standards catalogues list the 1975 document as the active edition and it remains available for purchase. Users should verify the current national or international status for their jurisdiction before application because later part‑standards and regional adoptions may exist.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — DIN 43670 sits among a family of busbar and connector standards (e.g., related parts addressing copper bus bars, copper‑clad aluminium, connector dimensions and drilled holes). There are also later part‑standards and related DIN documents that expand on connectors and special constructions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Aluminium bus bars, busbar design, continuous current, current rating, thermal dissipation, emissivity, installation conditions, DIN 43670.