Bus bars: vertically or horizontal

[starcruiser]

Most pictures of distribution panels I've seen show the various positive and negative bus bars mounted in a vertical orientation.

Is there a reason for this?

I'm redesigning my panel, where they are horizontal, and would like to keep them that way to ensure at least most of the wires to them will reach.

[noelex 77]

There is no practical difference.

If anything, horizontal should be superior, as the cooling is better, so if this suits your installation then .

[SailingHarmonie]

Horizontal is better. Pushing the electrons uphill wastes power.

[GILow]

Horizontal as the wires can hang off at a better angle, rather than being bent sideways by their own weight.

[RaymondR]

Depends on how the wiring enters the enclosure.

If from the bottom you make them vertical so that you can arrange the wires so that they don't cross over any of the bus bars. You then bundle the wires and anchor the bundles so that they are not hanging off the terminals.

If entries from the side, horizontal bus bars for the same reasons.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

Horizontal is better. Pushing the electrons uphill wastes power.

Like it. LOL

[rslifkin]

It all depends on how the wire runs, etc. are positioned relative to the bus bar. Basically, orient it whichever way makes things fit better or more neatly.

[Chotu]

Perpendicular to the route of the majority of the incoming wires.

That might even be diagonal. 45°.

[team karst]

I have been exposed to many industrial wiring rules and such and i dont recall anything on V vs H. Even hi rel nuke stuff. Circular or 45 deg would be odd.

Some decisions are driven by structural demands. Power panels may have to fit within 16” studs. Relay racks tend to desire vertical.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by team karst

I have been exposed to many industrial wiring rules and such and i dont recall anything on V vs H. Even hi rel nuke stuff. Circular or 45 deg would be odd.

I was kind of joking with 45. Just driving home the point of the wiring is what dictates the orientation. But there might be a case where the wiring is at 45. Maybe. Not likely since the floor and the wall is at 90. Plus it would look odd.

[NorthCoastJoe]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

Horizontal is better. Pushing the electrons uphill wastes power.

That is only if the feed is from the bottom, from the top it's downhill, saves power.

[NorthCoastJoe]

Seriously, whatever way works out where the wire is supported and runs are not a tangled mess is good. Also think about where tools need to fit so you don't hit a + buss with a screwdriver while working on the - buss.

[Montanan]

All bars that I frequent are horizontal so that one's drink does not spill, but there are traditional vertically double deckers in Britain.

[RaymondR]

On my previous boat I hinged the base board and drilled holes contiguous to the screw terminals so I could bring the wires through from the back. It allowed me to use a cable tie on each wire as a stress reliever on the crimp terminal and kept the rats nest hidden.

[Oceanride007]

Bus bars should be vertical. All bus bars I have seen on commercial ships are vertical. Vertical is better for heat dissipation, creates own chimney effect, less dust accumulation is another. Ex Chief Engineer here.