Abstract:
An apparatus for extending a bus bar is disclosed. The apparatus may include a first extension piece and a second extension piece. The first extension piece may have multiple surfaces. A first surface may have a first group of receiving portions, a second may have a second group of receiving portions, and a third surface may have a curvature that offsets the third surface from the second surface. The second extension piece may also have multiple surfaces. The second extension piece may have a first surface that includes a first group of receiving portions, a second surface that includes a second group of receiving portions, and a third surface that is substantially parallel to the second surface and includes a third group of receiving portions. When connected to a bus bar, the first extension piece and the second extension piece may be substantially adjacent to one another.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In electrical power distribution, a bus bar is an apparatus that distributes power to multiple connected devices, that conducts electricity within a switchboard, distribution board, substation or other electrical apparatus. The bus bar may be an aluminum or copper conductor supported by insulators that interconnects the loads and the sources of electric power in an electric power system. A typical application is the interconnection of the incoming and outgoing transmission lines and transformers at an electrical substation. Bus bars also interconnect the generator and the main transformers in a power plant. In an industrial plant such as an aluminum smelter, large bus bars supply several tens of thousands of amperes to the electrolytic process. 
     There are several different types of bus bars. For example, there are rigid bus bars, used at low, medium, and high voltage; strain bus bars, used mainly for high voltage; insulated-phase bus bars, used at medium voltage; and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)-insulated bus bars, used in medium- and high-voltage systems. The rigid bus-bar is an aluminum or copper bar, which is supported by porcelain insulators. The strain bus-bar is a flexible, stranded conductor which is strung between substation metal structures and held by suspension-type insulators. The insulated-phase bus-bar is a rigid bar supported by insulators and covered by a grounded metal shield. The sulfur hexafluoride-insulated bus-bar is a rigid aluminum tube, supported by insulators and installed in a larger metal tube, which is filled with high-pressure sulfur hexafluoride gas. 
     One of the challenges in designing a bus bar is accurately estimating the number of connections that may be made with the bus bar. As system and power requirements change, the number of connections to the bus bar may increase. 
     SUMMARY 
     To address these and other problems, this disclosure provides for an apparatus for extending a bus bar, wherein the apparatus includes a first extension piece and a second extension piece. The first extension piece may include a first vertically-oriented main axis, a first surface offset and vertically parallel to the first vertically-oriented main axis, the first surface comprising a first plurality of receiving portions, a second surface, the second surface offset and vertically parallel to the first-vertically oriented main axis, the second surface comprising a second plurality of receiving portions, wherein the second plurality of receiving portions are configured to establish an electrical connection between the first extension piece and a bus bar, and a third surface offset and vertically parallel to the first-vertically oriented main axis, the third surface comprising a curved portion. The second extension piece may include a second vertically-oriented main axis, a fourth surface offset and vertically parallel to the second vertically-oriented main axis, the fourth surface comprising a third plurality of receiving portions, a fifth surface offset and vertically parallel to the second vertically-oriented main axis, the fifth surface comprising a fourth plurality of receiving portions, and a sixth surface offset and vertically parallel to the second vertically-oriented main axis, the sixth surface comprising a fifth plurality of receiving portions configured to establish an electrical connection between the second extension piece and the bus bar. The first extension piece is connectable to the bus bar via the second plurality of receiving portions and the second extension piece is connectable to the bus bar via the fifth plurality of receiving portions. 
     In another embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the first plurality of receiving portions is defined by an aperture disposed within the first surface. 
     In a further embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the first plurality of receiving portions receives a terminal for electrically connecting an electronic device to the bus bar. 
     In yet another embodiment of the apparatus, the first plurality of receiving portions are formed in a first plane, the second plurality of receiving portions are formed in a second plane, and the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the apparatus, the second plurality of receiving portions is defined by an aperture disposed within the second surface, and the first extension piece is connectable to the bus bar via a securing mechanism that enters into the aperture. 
     In another embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the third plurality of receiving portions is defined by an aperture disposed within the fourth surface. 
     In a further embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the third plurality of receiving portions receives a terminal for electrically connecting an electronic device to the bus bar. 
     In yet another embodiment of the apparatus, the third plurality of receiving portions are formed within a first plane, the fourth plurality of receiving portions are formed within a second plane, and the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane. 
     In a yet a further embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the fifth plurality of receiving portions is defined by an aperture disposed within the sixth surface, and the second extension piece is connectable to the bus bar via a securing mechanism that enters into the aperture. 
     In another embodiment of the apparatus, the first surface defines a first plane, the second surface defines a second plane, the fourth surface defines a third plane, the fifth surface defines a fourth plane, the first plane is offset in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the second plane, and the third plane is offset in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the fourth plane. 
     In a further embodiment of the apparatus, the first extension piece comprises a first unitary structure, the second extension piece comprises a second unitary structure, and the first unitary structure is physically separate from the second unitary structure. 
     Another apparatus for extending a bus bar is also disclosed. In one embodiment, this apparatus includes a vertically-oriented main axis, a first surface offset and vertically parallel to the vertically-oriented main axis, the first surface having a first plurality of receiving portions, and each receiving portion is spaced apart along the first surface, a second surface offset and vertically parallel to the vertically-oriented main axis, the second surface being substantially perpendicular to the first surface and comprising a second plurality of receiving portions, wherein each receiving portion is spaced apart along the second surface and configured to establish an electrical connection between a bus bar and a corresponding receiving portion of the first plurality of receiving portions, and a third surface offset and vertically parallel to the vertically oriented main axis, substantially parallel to the second surface and substantially perpendicular to the first surface, and wherein the third surface is disposed between the first surface and the second surface. 
     In another embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the first plurality of receiving portions is defined by an aperture disposed within the first surface. 
     In a further embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the first plurality of receiving portions receives a terminal for electrically coupling an electronic device to a bus bar. 
     In yet another embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the second plurality of receiving portions is defined by an aperture disposed within the second surface, and the second surface is connectable to a bus bar via a securing mechanism that enters into the aperture. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the apparatus, the third surface comprises a curvature that laterally offsets the third surface from the second surface. 
     Yet another apparatus for extending a bus bar is disclosed. In one embodiment, this apparatus includes a vertically-oriented main axis, a first surface offset and vertically parallel to the vertically-oriented main axis, the first surface having a first plurality of receiving portions, wherein each receiving portion is spaced apart along the first surface, a second surface offset and vertically parallel to the vertically-oriented main axis, the second surface being substantially perpendicular to the first surface and comprising a second plurality of receiving portions, wherein each receiving portion is spaced apart along the second surface, and a third surface offset and vertically parallel to the vertically-oriented main axis, the third surface being substantially parallel to the second surface and substantially perpendicular to the first surface, wherein the third surface comprises a third plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion being spaced apart along the third surface and configured to establish an electrical connection between a bus bar and a corresponding receiving portion of the first plurality of receiving portions. 
     In another embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the first plurality of receiving portions is defined by an aperture disposed within the first surface. 
     In a further embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the first plurality of receiving portions receives a terminal for electrically coupling an electronic device to a bus bar. 
     In yet another embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the third plurality of receiving portions is defined by an aperture disposed within the second surface, and the third surface is connectable to a bus bar via a securing mechanism that enters into the aperture. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the apparatus, a receiving portion of the second plurality of receiving portions is defined by an aperture disposed within the second surface, and the second surface is connectable to a support structure that supports a bus bar via a securing mechanism that enters into the aperture. 
     A method for securing a bus bar extender to a bus bar is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes coupling a first bus bar extension piece of a bus bar extender to a bus bar, wherein the first bus bar extension piece includes a first receiving portion disposed within a first surface, a second receiving portion disposed within a second surface, the second surface being substantially perpendicular to the first surface, wherein the second receiving portion is configured to establish an electrical connection between the bus bar and the first receiving portion, a third receiving portion disposed within a third surface, the third surface being substantially perpendicular to the first surface and substantially parallel to the second surface, and a first electrical terminal extending from the first surface that is connectable with an electronic device to supply electricity to the electronic device from the bus bar. The method may also include coupling a second bus bar extension piece of the bus bar extender to the bus bar, wherein the second bus bar extension piece includes a fourth receiving portion disposed within a fourth surface, a fifth receiving portion disposed within a fifth surface, the fifth surface being substantially perpendicular to the fourth surface, a sixth receiving portion disposed within a sixth surface, the sixth surface being substantially perpendicular to the fourth surface and substantially parallel to the fifth surface, wherein the sixth receiving portion is configured to establish an electrical connection between the bus bar and the fourth receiving portion, a second electrical terminal extending from the fourth surface that is connectable with the electronic device to supply electricity to the electronic device from the bus bar, a securing mechanism extending from the fifth surface. 
     In another embodiment of the method, coupling the first bus bar extension piece to the bus bar comprises inserting a first fastener through the bus bar and into the second receiving portion of the first bus bar extension piece, and inserting a second fastener through the bus bar and into the third receiving portion of the first bus bar extension piece. 
     In a further embodiment of the method, coupling the second bus bar extension piece to the bus bar comprises inserting the securing mechanism through a bus bar support, and securing the securing mechanism to the bus bar support. 
     In yet another embodiment of the method, the electrical terminal is substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the first bus bar extension piece. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the method, the securing mechanism is relatively perpendicular to the fifth surface. 
     In another embodiment of the method, the first bus bar extension piece comprises a first unitary structure, the second bus bar extension piece comprises a second unitary structure, and the first unitary structure and the second unitary structure are physically separate structures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a first extension piece for a bus bar extender according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a second extension piece for a bus bar extender according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of securing the disclosed bus bar extender to a bus bar assembly using one or more fasteners according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of logic flow for securing the bus bar extender according to aspects of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a bus bar extender that extends a length of an established bus bar. The bus bar extender may include one or more bus bar extension pieces, and the bus bar extension pieces may be substantially lateral with respect to one another when connected to a bus bar. The disclosed bus bar extender may establish an electrical connection between the established bus bar and a device connected to the bus bar extender. Although the present disclosure describes and illustrates that the bus bar extender includes two bus bar extension pieces, it is contemplated that the bus bar extender may include fewer or more bus bar extension pieces. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one example of a first bus bar extension piece  102 . The first bus bar extension piece  102  may include primary block  104 . The primary block  104  may be unitary in its construction, and formed from a conductive metal, such as copper or the like. The primary block  104  may be painted with a dielectric powder coat and color coded, using a red color, a black color, or the like, to assist in the assembly of the bus bar extender. It is also contemplated that one or more portions of the primary block  104  may not be painted, such as surface  130  and/or surface  132 , which may function as electrical contact points. A vertically-oriented main axis A may extend lengthwise through the primary block  104 . 
     The primary block  104  may include an upper portion  106  and a lower portion  108 . The upper portion  106  may include a first surface  110  that extends substantially along the length of the upper portion  106 . The first surface  110  may include one or more receiving portions  112 - 118  for receiving an electrical terminal. 
     The receiving portions  112 - 118  may be in the form of apertures and disposed within the first surface  110 . The receiving portions  112 - 118  may be formed into such shapes as a circle, oval, rectangle, triangle, and other such shapes. 
     In addition, the receiving portions  112 - 118  may be spaced relatively equidistant from one another. In an alternative arrangement, the receiving portions  112 - 118  may be spaced in a non-equidistant manner, such that the distances between the receiving portions  112 - 118  vary. 
     An electrical terminal, such as electrical terminals  120 - 126 , may be inserted into the receiving portions  112 - 118 . When inserted, an electrical terminal may extend substantially perpendicular from the first surface  110 . In one example, the electrical terminal may be a ¼-20 bolt. However, other sizes and types of electrical terminals may also be used, such as a ¼-28 bolt, a 1-8 bolt, ¼-20 threaded stud, or other such electrical terminal. An electrical terminal may also include any type of fastener, such as a stud, bolt, nail, screw, or other such fastener. One or more electrical cables (not shown) may be affixed to the first bus bar extension piece via the electrical terminals  120 - 126 . The electrical terminals  120 - 126  may also be connected with other electrical conductors, such as another bus bar. 
     A second surface  128  may offset the upper portion  106  of the primary block  104  from the lower portion  108  of the primary block  104 . As discussed below with regard to  FIG. 3 , the upper portion  106  may be offset from the lower portion  108  to allow access to the electrical terminals  120 - 126  when the first bus bar extension piece  102  is adjacent to a second extension piece. 
     The lower portion  108  may include a third surface  130  offset from a fourth surface  132 . The third surface  130  and the fourth surface  132  may be relatively parallel to one another. However, the third surface  130  and the fourth surface  132  may be relatively orthogonal to the first surface  110 . The fourth surface  132  may be lower than the third surface  130 , and the third surface  130  may be lower than the second surface  128 . As mentioned previously, the third surface  130  and/or the fourth surface  132  may not be painted to facilitate electrical conductivity. 
     The third surface  130  may include one or more receiving portions  134 - 136 . The receiving portions  134 - 136  may be in the form of apertures and disposed within the third surface  130 . In addition, the receiving portions  134 - 136  may be circular, but other shapes (e.g., rectangular, square, oval, etc.) are also contemplated. The receiving portions  134 - 136  may be arranged so as to receive a securing mechanism that secures the lower portion  108  to a bus bar. The securing mechanism may be a fastener, such as a screw, bolt, nail, and so forth. The securing mechanism may also include a cable tie, an anchor, an adhesive, or any other type of securing mechanism. 
     The fourth surface  132  may also include at least one receiving portion  138 . The receiving portion  138  may be in the form of a circular aperture, but other shapes (e.g., rectangular, square, oval, etc.) are also contemplated. The receiving portion  138  may be arranged so as to receive a securing mechanism that further secures the lower portion  108  to the bus bar. The securing mechanism inserted into the receiving portion  138  may be the same, or different from, the securing mechanism inserted into the one or more receiving portions  134 - 136 . The receiving portion  138  may provide further stability to the first bus bar extension piece  102  when the first bus bar extension piece  102  is connected to the bus bar. 
     In addition to securing the first bus bar extension piece  102  to the bus bar, the receiving portions  134 - 136  and receiving portion  138  may further facilitate the transfer of electricity from the bus bar to the first bus bar extension piece  102 . For example, the receiving portions  134 - 136  and the receiving portion  138  may receive a fastener that has passed through, or extends from, a conductive portion of the bus bar. When the fastener from the bus bar then contacts the receiving portions  134 - 136  and/or the receiving portion  138 , the receiving portions  134 - 136  and/or the receiving portion  138  may then provide a stable and secure electrical connection between the first bus bar extension piece  102  and the bus bar. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a second bus bar extension piece  202 . The second bus bar extension piece  202  may include a primary block  204 . The primary block  204  may be constructed as a unitary structure, and formed from a conductive metal, such as copper or the like. The primary block  204  may be painted with a dielectric powder coat and color coded, using a red color, a black color, or the like, to assist in the assembly of the bus bar extender. A vertically-oriented main axis B may extend lengthwise through the primary block  204 . 
     The primary block  204  may include an upper portion  206  and a lower portion  208 . The upper portion  206  may include a first surface  210  that extends substantially along the length of the upper portion  206 . In one implementation, the first surface  210  may not be painted so as to facilitate electrical conductivity. 
     The first surface  210  may include one or more receiving portions  212 - 218  for receiving an electrical terminal. The receiving portions  212 - 218  may be disposed within the first surface  210  and may be circular. In addition, the receiving portions  212 - 218  may be spaced relatively equidistant from one another. Furthermore, the first surface  210  may be divided into sections that visually separate the receiving portions  212 - 218 . 
     An electrical terminal, such as electrical terminals  220 - 226 , may be inserted into the receiving portions  212 - 218 . When inserted, an electrical terminal may extend substantially perpendicular from the first surface  210 . In one example, the electrical terminal may be a ¼-20 bolt. However, other sizes and types of electrical terminals may also be used, such as a ¼-28 bolt, a 1-8 bolt, ¼-20 threaded stud, or other such electrical terminal. An electrical terminal may also include any type of fastener, such as a stud, bolt, nail, screw, or other such fastener. One or more electrical cables (not shown) may be affixed to the second bus bar extension piece  202  via the electrical terminals  220 - 226 . The electrical terminals  220 - 226  may also be connected with other electrical conductors, such as another bus bar. 
     The second bus bar extension piece  202  may include a second surface  228  that includes one or more receiving portions  230 - 234 . The receiving portions  230 - 234  may be in the form of apertures and disposed within the second surface  228 . In addition, the receiving portions  230 - 234  may be circular, but other shapes (e.g., rectangular, square, oval, etc.) are also contemplated. 
     The receiving portions  230 - 234  may receive a securing mechanism, such as fasteners  236 - 240 , for securing the second bus bar extension piece  202  to a support for a bus bar. That is, the fasteners  230 - 234  may or may not be conductive in that the fasteners  230 - 234  provide further stability to the second bus bar extension piece  202 . The fasteners  230 - 234  may be a bolt, stud, nail, and the like. In one example, the fasteners  230 - 234  may be ¼-20 size studs that protrude substantially perpendicular from the second surface  228 . When secured to a bus bar support, the second surface  228  may lie relatively flush with the surface of the bus bar support. In addition, the attachment of the securing mechanisms  236 - 240  to the bus bar support may provide a measure of grounding for the assembled bus bar extender (e.g., the assembly of the first bus bar extension piece  102  and the second bus bar extension piece  202 ). 
     The lower portion  208  may include a third surface  242  offset from a fourth surface  244 . The third surface  242  and the fourth surface  242  may be relatively parallel to one another. However, the third surface  242  and the fourth surface  244  may be relatively orthogonal to the first surface  210 . The fourth surface  244  may be lower than the third surface  242 , and the third surface  242  may be lower than the second surface  228 . In one implementation, the third surface  242  and/or the fourth surface  244  may not be painted so as to facilitate electrical conductivity. 
     The third surface  242  may include one or more receiving portions  246 - 248 . The receiving portions  246 - 248  may be disposed within the third surface  242 . In addition, the receiving portions  246 - 248  may be in the form of circular, apertures, but other shapes (e.g., rectangular, square, oval, etc.) are also contemplated. The receiving portions  246 - 248  may be arranged so as to receive a securing mechanism that secures the lower portion  208  to the bus bar. The securing mechanism may be a fastener, such as a screw, bolt, nail, and so forth. The securing mechanism may also include a cable tie, an anchor, an adhesive, or any other type of securing mechanism. 
     The fourth surface  244  may also include at least one receiving portion  250 . The receiving portion  250  may be in the form of a circular aperture, but other shapes (e.g., rectangular, square, oval, etc.) are also contemplated. The receiving portion  250  may be arranged so as to receive a securing mechanism that further secures the lower portion  208  to the bus bar. The securing mechanism inserted into the receiving portion  250  may be the same, or different from, the securing mechanism inserted into the one or more receiving portions  246 - 248 . The receiving portion  250  may provide further stability to the second bus bar extension piece  202  when the second bus bar extension piece  202  is connected to the bus bar. 
     In addition to securing the second bus bar extension piece  202  to the bus bar, the receiving portions  246 - 248  and receiving portion  250  may further facilitate the transfer of electricity from the bus bar to the second bus bar extension piece  202 . For example, the receiving portions  246 - 248  and the receiving portion  250  may receive a fastener that has passed through, or extends from, a conductive portion of the bus bar. When the fastener from the bus bar then contacts the receiving portions  246 - 248  and/or the receiving portion  250 , the receiving portions  246 - 248  and/or the receiving portion  250  may then provide a stable and secure electrical connection between the second bus bar extension piece  202  and the bus bar. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of the assembled bus bar extender  302  being secured to a top portion of the bus bar assembly  304 . The top portion of the bus bar assembly  304  is illustrated in  FIG. 3  to aid in the reader in understanding how the lower portions  108 , 208  of the bus bar extension pieces  102 , 202  are secured to the bus bar assembly  304 . In one implementation, the bus bar assembly  304  may include one or more rails to which the extension pieces  102 , 202  are secured. 
     One or more fasteners  306 - 316  may be used to secure each of the bus bar extension pieces  102 , 202  to the bus bar assembly  304 . Not shown is a bus bar support that supports the bus bar assembly  304 , to which one or more of the securing mechanisms  236 - 240  may be secured. As discussed previously, the securing mechanisms  236 - 240  may also form an electrical connection with the bus bar support. 
     To secure the bus bar assembly  304  to the bus bar extension pieces, each of the fasteners  306 - 316  may pass through the bus bar assembly  304  and be received in a corresponding receiving portion of the lower portion of the first bus bar extension piece  102  or the second bus bar extension piece  202 . For example, a first set of fasteners  306 - 308  may be received by the receiving portion  134  of the first bus bar assembly piece  102  and by the receiving portion  246  of the second bus bar assembly piece  202 . Similarly, a second set of fasteners  310 - 312  may be received by the receiving portion  136  of the first bus bar assembly piece  102  and by the receiving portion  248  of the second bus bar extension piece  202 . Finally, a third set of fasteners  314 - 316  may be received by the receiving portion  138  of the first bus bar assembly piece  102  and by the receiving portion  250  of the second bus bar assembly piece  202 . Although shown removed from the bus bar assembly  304 , it should be understood that the fasteners  306 - 316  may be received by the receiving portions prior to the placement of supporting structures that would impede access to the receiving portions of the first bus bar assembly piece  102  or the second bus bar assembly piece  202 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of logic flow  402  for securing the bus bar extender  302  to the bus bar assembly  304 . It should be understood that the operations depicted and described with regard to  FIG. 4  do not have to be performed in the precise order described below. Rather, various steps and/or operations can be handled in a different order or simultaneously, and steps and/or operations may also be added or omitted. 
     To secure the first extension piece  102  to the bus bar assembly  304 , one may first insert one or more fasteners through one or more receiving portions of the first bus bar extension piece. Accordingly, and with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a first fastener  306  may be inserted into a bus bar assembly  304 , and into a first receiving portion  134  of the first bus bar extension piece  102  (Block  404 ). A second fastener  310  may then be inserted into the bus bar assembly  304  and into a second receiving portion  136  of the first bus bar extension piece  102  (Block  406 ). Finally, a third fastener  314  may then be inserted into the bus bar assembly  304  and into a third receiving portion  138  of the first bus bar extension piece  102  (Block  408 ). In this manner, a secure electrical connection may be established between the first bus bar extension piece  102  and the bus bar assembly  304 . 
     Similar acts may be performed to secure the second bus bar extension piece  202  to the bus bar assembly  304 . With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a fourth fastener  308  may be inserted through the bus bar assembly  304  and into a first receiving portion  246  of the second bus bar extension piece  202  (Block  410 ). A fifth fastener  312  may then be inserted through the bus bar assembly  304  and into a second receiving portion of the second bus bar extension piece  202  (Block  412 ). Finally, a sixth fastener  316  may be inserted through the bus bar assembly  304  and into the third receiving portion  250  of the second extension piece  202  (Block  414 ). Thusly, a secure electrical connection may be established between the second bus bar extension piece  202  and the bus bar assembly  304 . 
     In addition to securing the second extension piece  202  to a bus bar assembly  304 , the second extension piece  202  may be secured to a bus bar support structure (not shown) of the bus bar assembly. Accordingly, a first securing mechanism  236  of the second extension piece  202  may be secured to the bus bar support (Block  416 ). A second securing mechanism  238  may then be secured to the bus bar support (Block  418 ). Finally, a third securing mechanism  240  may then be secured to the bus bar support (Block  420 ). 
     Once secured to the bus bar assembly  304 , one or more cables may then be attached to the bus bar extender  302 . Accordingly, the logic flow  402  illustrates attaching and securing one or more cables to the electrical terminals  120 - 126  of the first bus bar extension piece  102  (Block  422 ), and attaching and securing one or more cables to the electrical terminals  220 - 226  to the second bus bar extension piece  202  (Block  424 ). The cables may be attached and secured to the electrical terminals using a connector, such as a barrel copper lug or the like, and secured to the electrical terminals using a fastener, such as a washer, nut, and the like. The order in which the cables are attached to the bus bar extender  302  may be dependent on which bus bar extension piece is considered electrically “positive” and which bus bar extension piece is considered electrically “negative.” 
     Thusly, the second bus bar extension piece  202  may be further secured to a bus bar support structure. In addition, the attachment of the securing mechanisms to the bus bar support structure may provide grounding for the bus bar extender  302 . 
     In this manner, the bus bar extender  302  physically extends the length of a bus bar assembly  304  and provides additional electrical connections for connecting devices to the bus bar. As the bus bar extender  302  includes two assembly pieces (i.e., the first bus bar assembly piece  102  and the second bus bar assembly piece  202 ), construction and deconstruction of the bus bar extender  302  is easy and reduces the amount of time one would ordinarily spend in constructing a bus bar assembly replacement. In addition, the disclosed bus bar extender  302  introduces costs savings to a bus bar assembly  304  user, because the bus bar extender  302  may be used in place of constructing a new bus bar assembly to replace the prior bus bar assembly. Moreover, the disclosed bus bar extender  302  provides for electrical connections under space-limited conditions. Thus, there are significant monetary, time, and space savings in leveraging the capabilities of the disclosed bus bar extender  302 . 
     As these and other variations and combinations of the features discussed above can be utilized without departing from the subject matter as defined by the claims, the foregoing description should be taken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation of the subject matter as defined by the claims. It will also be understood that the provision of the examples described herein (as well as clauses phrased as “such as,” “e.g.”, “including” and the like) should not be interpreted as limiting the claimed subject matter to the specific examples; rather, the examples are intended to illustrate only some of many possible aspects.