Logo of the Copper Development Association Inc. featuring a brown square with the letters Cu on the left, and the organizations name in brown text on the right.
  • Markets & Applications
        • Infrastructure
          • Powering Energy Systems
          • Delivering Water
          • Distributing Fuel Gas
          • Connecting Telecommunications
        • Building Construction
          • Electrifying Buildings
            • Busbar
          • Heating & Cooling Spaces
          • Elevating Architecture
            • Copper in Architecture Design Handbook
            • Copper in Architecture Awards
          • Antimicrobial Surfaces
          • Strengthening Plumbing Systems
            • Copper Tube Handbook
            • Copper Tube Sizing Calculator
          • Supplying Medical Gas
        • Transportation
          • Driving Automotive Performance
          • Powering Rail Systems
          • Equipping Marine Vessels
  • Resources
        • Supplier & Alloy Finder
          • Alloy Suppliers
          • Copper Alloys Search - Basic
          • Advanced Alloys Search
          • Architectural Installation Contractors Database
          • Architectural Consultants and Contractors
          • Architectural Product Manufacturers
        • Copper and Copper Alloys Properties and Uses
        • Publications
        • Market Intelligence
        • Standards & Specifications
        • Education and Training
        • Copper 101
        • Resource Library
  • Sustainability
    • Copper Demand & Availability
    • Product Transparency
    • Copper & Human Health
    • Environmental Stewardship
  • Policy
    • CDA Policy Positions
    • Advocacy Campaigns
    • The Copper Caucus
    • Economic Impact of Copper
    • Copper Demand & Availability
    • Copper Advocates
  • News
    • Press Releases
    • Industry Updates
  • Join
    • Membership Benefits
    • Apply For CDA Membership
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our History
    • Our Members
    • CDA Councils
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
      • Technical Questions?
  • Members Only

Table 2: Mechanical Properties

Table 2: Mechanical Properties

Home / Markets & Applications / Building Construction / Electrifying Buildings / Busbar / Table 2: Mechanical Properties

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.

Dimensions, In. Area Weight Per Foot, Lb Horizontal Axis Yield Load, *Lb
Square In. Circular Mils, Thous Moment of Inertia In. 4 Section Modulus, In. 3 Radius of 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
0.000651
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
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
0.00260
0.00879
0.0208
0.0703
0.167
0.326
0.562
0.893
1.33
2.60
4.50
10.7
20.8
36.0
0.0104
0.0234
0.0417
0.0938
0.167
0.260
0.375
0.510
1.667
1.04
1.50
2.67
4.17
6.00
0.144
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
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
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.
Dimensions, In. Area Weight Per Foot, Lb Vertical Axis Yield Load,* Lb
Square In. Circular Mils, Thous Moment of Inertia In. 4 Section Modulus, In. 3 Radius of 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
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.

Filter Resources

TopicExpand

TypeExpand

Copper in Architecture – Design Handbook CAD Detail Files (zip)

Read More

401/0R: Sheet Copper Applications

Leading architects’ use of copper in outstanding contemporary buildings. Sheet copper fundamentals, design, details and specifications for professionals.(56…

Read More

A4094: Copper Roofs Are Cool

Can a copper roofing system save energy? Can it be considered “cool”?

Read More

A4082: The Role of Copper, Bronze and Brass in Architecture & Design

This article covers the basics of copper design and installation for both exterior and interior applications. It also…

Read More

Incorporating copper into your next design?

Connect with a CDA Expert
Faded logo with the text Cu Copper Development Association Inc. on a white and light gray background.

Copyright © 2026 Copper Development Association Inc. | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy

Markets & Applications
Resources
Sustainability
Policy

News
Join
About
Members Only
Technical Inquiries

Follow Us on Social Media:

LinkedIn Twitter Youtube