Bus bar ampacity – OGPS Information Series

We recently had one of our dealers ask about using Victon’s Lynx system with a three-phase installation consisting of Quattro 48/10000 inverter/chargers, CANbus connected batteries, and solar charge controllers. He wanted to know if the Lynx system could handle a system of this size, and while the answer seems easy to a layman, it is actually a bit more complicated and we thought we would turn it in to an instructional video.

Russ Fling, MSEE is the chief engineer at Off-Grid Power Systems and he walks us through a discussion of local currents flowing on bus bars and how important it is to properly engineer larger systems.

As of December 2023, Victron’s own datasheets for the Lynx products state they can handle 1000A continuous current but the cross section of the copper bus bars, along with other factors, show that the maximum capacity of the Lynx bus bars are 750A, if properly ventilated, which they aren’t. Off-Grid Power Systems recommends only 500A flow through the Lynx bus bars.

But, with proper engineering analysis and careful installation, using the Lynx system for this system example is very doable.

We love the Victron Energy Lynx product line, but for larger installations careful engineering analysis is required to ensure the DC bus is sized appropriately AND the connection locations made to the DC bus are carefully considered.

This topic is an extension to the terrific “Wiring Unlimited” guide written by Victron and located here: https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/…