Ampacities and Mechanical Properties of Rectangular Copper Busbars

Mechanical Properties - This table lists properties useful in calculating such

characteristics as stiffness and deflection that are often required by designers of bus bar
systems.
Area
Dimensions,
In.

Square
In.

Horizontal Axis

Circular
Mils, Thous

Weight Per
Foot, Lb

Moment of
Inertia In. 4

Section
Modulus, In. 3

Radius of
Yield Load,
Gyration In.
*Lb

1/16 x 1/2
1/16 x 3/4
1/16 x 1
1/16 x 1 1/2
1/16 x 2

0.0312
0.0469
0.0625
0.0938
0.125

39.7
59.7
79.6
119
159

0.121
0.181
0.241
0.362
0.483

0.000651
0.00220
0.00521
0.0176
0.0417

0.000260
0.00586
0.0104
0.0234
0.0417

0.144
0.217
0.289
0.433
0.577

780
1,170
1,560
2,340
3,120

1/8 x 1/2
1/8 x 3/4
1/8 x 1
1/8 x 1 1/2
1/8 x 2
1/8 x 2 1/2
1/8 x 3
1/8 x 3 1/2
1/8 x 4

0.0625
0.0938
0.125
0.188
0.250
0.312
0.375
0.438
0.500

79.6
119
159
239
318
397
477
558
636

0.241
0.362
0.483
0.726
0.966
1.21
1.45
1.69
1.93

0.00130
0.00440
0.0104
0.0352
0.0833
0.163
0.281
0.447
0.667

0.00521
0.0117
0.0208
0.0469
0.0833
0.130
0.188
0.255
0.333

0.144
0.217
0.289
0.433
0.577
0.722
0.866
1.01
1.16

1,560
2,340
3,120
4,690
6,250
7,810
9,380
10,940
12,500

3/16 x 1/2
3/16 x 3/4
3/16 x 1
3/16 x 1 1/2
3/16 x 2
3/16 x 2 1/2
3/16 x 3
3/16 x 3 1/2
3/16 x 4

0.0938
0.141
0.188
0.281
0.375
0.469
0.562
0.656
0.750

119
179
239
358
477
597
715
835
955

0.362
0.545
0.726
1.09
1.45
1.81
2.17
2.53
2.90

0.00195
0.00659
0.0156
0.0527
0.125
0.244
0.422
0.670
1.00

0.00781
0.0176
0.0312
0.0703
0.125
0.195
0.281
0.383
0.500

0.144
0.217
0.289
0.433
0.577
0.722
0.866
1.01
1.16

2,340
3,520
4,690
7,031
9,380
11,700
14,100
16,400
18,800

1/4 x 1/2
1/4 x 3/4
1/4 x 1
1/4 x 1 1/2
1/4 x 2
1/4 x 2 1/2
1/4 x 3
1/4 x 3 1/2
1/4 x 4
1/4 x 5
1/4 x 6

0.125
0.188
0.250
0.375
0.500
0.625
0.750
0.875
1.00
1.25
1.50

159
239
318
477
637
796
955
1,110
1,270
1,590
1,910

0.483
0.726
0.966
1.45
1.93
2.41
2.90
3.38
3.86
4.83
5.80

0.00260
0.00879
0.0208
0.0703
0.167
0.326
0.562
0.893
1.33
2.60
4.50

0.0104
0.0234
0.0417
0.0938
0.167
0.260
0.375
0.510
1.667
1.04
1.50

0.144
0.217
0.289
0.433
0.577
0.722
0.866
1.01
1.16
1.44
1.73

3,120
4,690
6,250
9,380
12,500
15,600
18,800
21,900
25,000
31,200
37,500

Area
Dimensions,
In.

Square
In.

Horizontal Axis

Circular
Mils, Thous

Weight Per
Foot, Lb

Moment of
Inertia In. 4

Section
Modulus, In. 3

Radius of
Yield Load,
Gyration In.
*Lb

1/4 x 8
1/4 x 10
1/4 x 12

2.00
2.50
3.00

2,550
3,180
3,820

7.73
9.66
11.6

10.7
20.8
36.0

2.67
4.17
6.00

2.31
2.89
3.46

50,000
62,500
75,000

3/8 x 3/4
3/8 x 1
3/8 x 1 1/2
3/8 x 2
3/8 x 2 1/2
3/8 x 3
3/8 x 3 1/2
3/8 x 4
3/8 x 5
3/8 x 6
3/8 x 8
3/8 x 10
3/8 x 12

0.281
0.375
0.562
0.750
0.938
1.12
1.31
1.50
1.88
2.25
3.00
3.75
4.50

358
477
715
955
1,190
1,430
1,670
1,910
2,390
2,860
3,820
4,770
5,730

1.09
1.45
2.17
2.90
3.62
4.35
5.06
5.80
7.26
8.69
11.6
14.5
17.4

0.0132
0.0312
0.105
0.250
0.488
0.844
1.34
2.00
3.91
6.75
16.0
31.2
54.0

0.0352
0.0625
0.141
0.250
0.391
0.562
0.766
1.00
1.56
2.25
4.00
6.25
9.00

0.217
0.289
0.433
0.577
0.722
0.866
1.01
1.16
1.44
1.73
2.31
2.89
3.46

7,030
9,380
14,100
18,800
23,400
28,100
32,800
37,500
46,900
56,200
75,000
93,800
112,000

1/2 x 1
1/2 x 1 1/2
1/2 x 2
1/2 x 2 1/2
1/2 x 3
1/2 x 3 1/2
1/2 x 4
1/2 x 5
1/2 x 6
1/2 x 8
1/2 x 10
1/2 x 12

0.500
0.750
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.50
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00

637
955
1,270
1,590
1,910
2,230
2,550
3,180
3,820
5,090
6,360
7,640

1.93
2.90
3.86
4.83
5.80
6.76
7.73
9.66
11.6
15.5
19.3
23.2

0.0417
0.0141
0.0333
0.0651
1.12
1.79
2.67
5.21
9.00
21.3
41.7
72.0

0.0833
0.188
0.333
0.521
0.750
1.02
1.33
2.08
3.00
5.33
8.33
12.0

0.289
0.433
0.577
0.722
0.866
1.01
1.16
1.44
1.73
2.31
2.89
3.46

9,000
13,500
18,000
22,500
27,000
31,500
36,000
45,000
54,000
72,000
90,000
108,000

3/4 x 4
3/4 x 5
3/4 x 6
3/4 x 8
3/4 x 10
3/4 x 12

3.00
3.75
4.50
6.00
7.50
9.00

3,820
4,770
5,730
7,640
9,550
11,500

11.6
14.5
17.4
23.2
29.0
34.8

4.00
7.81
13.5
32.0
62.5
108.

2.00
3.12
4.50
8.00
12.5
18.0

1.16
1.44
1.73
2.31
2.89
3.46

54,000
67,500
81,000
108,000
135,000
162,000

* In this instance, yeild load equals yield strength times cross-sectional area of the busbar. A yield
strength of 25,000 psi has been assumed for busbar less than 1/2 in. thick and 18,000 psi for busbar 1/2
in. thick or more.

Area

Dimensions,
In.

Square
In.

Yield
Load,* Lb

Vertical Axis

Circular
Weight Per
Mils, Thous
Foot, Lb

Moment of
Inertia In. 4

Section
Radius of
Modulus, In. 3 Gyration In.

1/16 x 1/2
1/16 x 3/4
1/16 x 1
1/16 x 1 1/2
1/16 x 2

0.0312
0.0469
0.0625
0.0938
0.125

39.7
59.7
79.6
119
159

0.121
0.181
0.241
0.362
0.483

0.0000102
0.0000153
0.0000203
0.0000305
0.0000407

0.000326
0.000488
0.000651
0.000977
0.00130

0.0180
0.0180
0.0180
0.0180
0.0180

780
1,170
1,560
2,340
3,120

1/8 x 1/2
1/8 x 3/4
1/8 x 1
1/8 x 1 1/2
1/8 x 2
1/8 x 2 1/2
1/8 x 3
1/8 x 3 1/2
1/8 x 4

0.0625
0.0938
0.125
0.188
0.250
0.312
0.375
0.438
0.500

79.6
119
159
239
318
397
477
558
636

0.241
0.362
0.483
0.726
0.966
1.21
1.45
1.69
1.93

0.0000814
0.000122
0.000163
0.000244
0.000326
0.000407
0.000488
0.000570
0.000651

0.00130
0.00195
0.00260
0.00391
0.00521
0.00651
0.00781
0.00912
0.0104

0.0361
0.0361
0.0361
0.0361
0.0361
0.0361
0.0361
0.0361
0.0361

1,560
2,340
3,120
4,690
6,250
7,810
9,380
10,940
12,500

3/16 x 1/2
3/16 x 3/4
3/16 x 1
3/16 x 1 1/2
3/16 x 2
3/16 x 2 1/2
3/16 x 3
3/16 x 3 1/2
3/16 x 4

0.0938
0.141
0.188
0.281
0.375
0.469
0.562
0.656
0.750

119
179
239
358
477
597
715
835
955

0.362
0.545
0.726
1.09
1.45
1.81
2.17
2.53
2.90

0.000275
0.000412
0.000549
0.000824
0.00110
0.00137
0.00165
0.00192
0.00220

0.00293
0.00440
0.00586
0.00879
0.0117
0.0146
0.0176
0.0205
0.0234

0.0541
0.0541
0.0541
0.0541
0.0541
0.0541
0.0541
0.0541
0.0541

2,340
3,520
4,690
7,031
9,380
11,700
14,100
16,400
18,800

1/4 x 1/2
1/4 x 3/4
1/4 x 1
1/4 x 1 1/2
1/4 x 2
1/4 x 2 1/2
1/4 x 3
1/4 x 3 1/2
1/4 x 4
1/4 x 5
1/4 x 6
1/4 x 8
1/4 x 10
1/4 x 12

0.125
0.188
0.250
0.375
0.500
0.625
0.750
0.875
1.00
1.25
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00

159
239
318
477
637
796
955
1,110
1,270
1,590
1,910
2,550
3,180
3,820

0.483
0.726
0.966
1.45
1.93
2.41
2.90
3.38
3.86
4.83
5.80
7.73
9.66
11.6

0.000651
0.000977
0.00130
0.00195
0.00260
0.00326
0.00391
0.00456
0.00521
0.00651
0.00781
0.00104
0.0130
0.0156

0.00521
0.00781
0.0104
0.0156
0.0208
0.0260
0.0312
0.0365
0.0417
0.0521
0.0625
0.0833
0.104
0.125

0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722
0.0722

3,120
4,690
6,250
9,380
12,500
15,600
18,800
21,900
25,000
31,200
37,500
50,000
62,500
75,000

Area

Dimensions,
In.

Square
In.

Yield
Load,* Lb

Vertical Axis

Circular
Weight Per
Mils, Thous
Foot, Lb

Moment of
Inertia In. 4

Section
Radius of
Modulus, In. 3 Gyration In.

3/8 x 3/4
3/8 x 1
3/8 x 1 1/2
3/8 x 2
3/8 x 2 1/2
3/8 x 3
3/8 x 3 1/2
3/8 x 4
3/8 x 5
3/8 x 6
3/8 x 8
3/8 x 10
3/8 x 12

0.281
0.375
0.562
0.750
0.938
1.12
1.31
1.50
1.88
2.25
3.00
3.75
4.50

358
477
715
955
1,190
1,430
1,670
1,910
2,390
2,860
3,820
4,770
5,730

1.09
1.45
2.17
2.90
3.62
4.35
5.06
5.80
7.26
8.69
11.6
14.5
17.4

0.00330
0.00439
0.00659
0.00879
0.0110
0.0132
0.0154
0.0176
0.0220
0.0264
0.0352
0.0439
0.0527

0.0176
0.0234
0.0352
0.0469
0.0586
0.0703
0.0820
0.0938
0.117
0.141
0.188
0.234
0.281

0.108
0.108
0.108
0.108
0.108
0.108
0.108
0.108
0.108
0.108
0.108
0.108
0.108

7,030
9,380
14,100
18,800
23,400
28,100
32,800
37,500
46,900
56,200
75,000
93,800
112,000

1/2 x 1
1/2 x 1 1/2
1/2 x 2
1/2 x 2 1/2
1/2 x 3
1/2 x 3 1/2
1/2 x 4
1/2 x 5
1/2 x 6
1/2 x 8
1/2 x 10
1/2 x 12

0.500
0.750
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.50
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00

637
955
1,270
1,590
1,910
2,230
2,550
3,180
3,820
5,090
6,360
7,640

1.93
2.90
3.86
4.83
5.80
6.76
7.73
9.66
11.6
15.5
19.3
23.2

0.0104
0.0156
0.0208
0.0260
0.0312
0.0365
0.0417
0.0521
0.0625
0.0833
0.104
0.125

0.0417
0.0625
0.0833
0.104
0.125
0.146
0.167
0.208
0.250
0.333
0.417
0.500

0.144
0.144
0.144
0.144
0.144
0.144
0.144
0.144
0.144
0.144
0.144
0.144

9,000
13,500
18,000
22,500
27,000
31,500
36,000
45,000
54,000
72,000
90,000
108,000

3/4 x 4
3/4 x 5
3/4 x 6
3/4 x 8
3/4 x 10
3/4 x 12

3.00
3.75
4.50
6.00
7.50
9.00

3,820
4,770
5,730
7,640
9,550
11,500

11.6
14.5
17.4
23.2
29.0
34.8

0.141
0.176
0.211
0.281
0.352
0.422

0.375
0.469
0.562
0.750
0.938
1.12

0.216
0.216
0.216
0.216
0.216
0.216

54,000
67,500
81,000
108,000
135,000
162,000

* In this instance, yield load equals yeild strength times cross-sectional area of the busbar. A yield
strength of 25,000 psi has been assumed for busbar less than 1/2 in. thick and 18,000 psi for busbar 1/2
in. thick or more.