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Busbar Ampacity Calculation for DC Current

YoshiMoshi

New Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2024
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9
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United States
I see this formula for ampacity of busbar for DC current

I_CCC = K*busbar width*bus bar thickness

Is it really this simple? Where K is a constant depending on if you are using copper or aluminum. This equation seems to simple to me. Additionally, I can't find anything with regards to the temperature rise of the copper bar using this formula for finding a current or what the ambient temperature is. Any ideas on the temperature rise using this formula?
 
I usually convert the area to cir mils and compare that with AWG wire specs. Google does the conversions.
 
If you look up the ampacities for 1/8" x 1.5" (390A)
Then look up the ampacity for 3/8" x 1.5" (724A)
But wait, three 1/8 bars stacked up is then 1560A - more than double the 3/8" bar, even though they are the same amount of copper...
 
If you look up the ampacities for 1/8" x 1.5" (390A)
Then look up the ampacity for 3/8" x 1.5" (724A)
But wait, three 1/8 bars stacked up is then 1560A - more than double the 3/8" bar, even though they are the same amount of copper...
Need to calculate the entire block together when stacked. Not the same surface area to shed heat.
 
or use spacers, to allow cooling.
Seems that thick copper is a waste of the material, and we are better off to use multi layers of thinner material, spaced = to thickness of the bars?
 

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