Busbars

A busbar is a rigid copper or aluminum conductor that distributes power to multiple devices in a control panel from a single incoming feed - replacing dozens of individual jumper wires with one engineered bar. Automation Distribution supplies low voltage busbars across five brands and every common panel-build application: comb and pin busbars that jumper rows of miniature circuit breakers, compact busbars that link motor starters and manual motor controllers, busbar terminal blocks and carriers for power distribution, cut-to-length copper bar stock, and the end caps, covers, and insulators that finish a safe assembly.

Shopping by compatibility? Busbars are brand- and series-specific - pin spacing (pitch), pole count, and terminal style must match your breaker or starter. Use the application sections below to find the right bar for your device family, or contact our team with your device part numbers and we will confirm the fit.

Comb & Pin Busbars for Circuit Breakers

Comb busbars (also called MCB busbars or phase busbars) jumper a row of miniature circuit breakers, supplementary protectors, or RCBOs from one feed, with pins precisely spaced to the device pitch - typically 18 mm modules. They cut wiring time, eliminate loose strands, and keep phase alignment consistent across the assembly. Pin-type bars plug vertically into the breaker terminals; fork (spade) styles clamp under the terminal screw.

Automation Distribution carries Schneider Electric Acti9 and Multi9 UL 508 comb busbars (cuttable, 1L/2L/3L, up to ~115 A), ABB S500-BB busbars for S500/S800 mini circuit breakers, the ABB SMISSLINE ZLS plug-in busbar system (touch-proof, 100 A, hot-swappable), and Noark Ex9 UL 1077 comb busbars (6-57 pins, 80 A end feed / 160 A center feed). If you do not see your exact pole or length configuration listed, ask us - many series are stocked beyond what is shown online.

Compact Busbars for Motor Control

Compact busbars link adjacent motor protection circuit breakers, manual motor controllers, and contactors into a three-phase group feed - the backbone of a motor control assembly. They are sized to a fixed device spacing (for example 45 mm, 54 mm, or 63 mm) and a set number of devices, so the correct bar is chosen by both the controller series and how many starters sit side by side.

Automation Distribution supplies Sprecher + Schuh KT7 compact busbars for KT7-25/32/45 motor protectors, L9 mini-breaker busbars (212 mm / 318 mm, 1-3 phase, 12-18 pole), Schneider Electric TeSys power busbar packages for GV motor starters, and ABB LP-series busbars for AF contactors. Matching terminal blocks, incoming terminals, and connector modules are available within each series.

Busbar Terminal Blocks & Carriers

For power distribution and commoning on the DIN rail, busbar terminal blocks mount onto a standard copper bar and fan a single phase out to many conductors, while busbar carriers hold the bar securely on 35 mm rail. This approach is common where you need to split one supply to dozens of points without a full breaker comb.

Automation Distribution carries WAGO 812-series busbar terminal blocks (Push-in CAGE CLAMP, for 10 x 3 mm bars, up to 96 A), WAGO 790-series busbar carriers for 10 x 3 mm copper bar, and WAGO 790 U-shaped shield busbars for shield termination on 750-series I/O.

Copper Busbar Stock

When a standard comb will not fit the layout, copper bar stock lets panel builders fabricate a custom feed. Automation Distribution offers Sprecher + Schuh copper busbar in cut lengths - rigid bar such as 30 x 10 mm (2400 mm and 1200 mm, up to ~630 A) and 20 x 5 mm, plus flexible and tinned, insulated copper bar - alongside WAGO tin-plated copper busbars (for example 210-133, 1000 mm) for terminal-block power distribution. Pair with the shrouds and covers below to keep fabricated bar finger-safe.

Busbar End Caps, Covers & Insulators

Finishing accessories make a busbar assembly safe and code-compliant: end caps close off exposed bar ends, terminal covers and shrouds restore touch protection (IP20), and insulator blocks isolate interrupted bar sections. Automation Distribution carries ABB PS-series busbar end caps, Sprecher + Schuh L8 end caps and shrouds, Ambus terminal-cover shrouds, and ABB BS-series busbar terminal covers - matched to their parent busbar series.

How to Select the Right Busbar

Busbars are not interchangeable across brands. Confirm these six parameters against your breaker or starter datasheet before ordering:

  • Poles & phase configuration - 1P, 2P, 3P, 4P or 1L/2L/3L; match to single-phase, split-phase, or three-phase distribution.
  • Pitch (module spacing) - the center-to-center spacing of the pins must equal your device width, commonly 18 mm per pole.
  • Current rating & feed - size for maximum load; note that many systems carry more when center-fed than end-fed (e.g. 100 A end / 200 A center).
  • Connection style - pin (plug-in), fork/spade (under-screw), or a series-specific compact bar for motor controllers.
  • Standard - UL 1077, UL 489, UL 508, or IEC 60947; match the listing your panel requires.
  • Length / device count - choose a cuttable bar sized to your row, or a fixed bar rated for the exact number of devices.

Busbar Brands We Carry

ABB (SMISSLINE TP, S500-BB, PS phase busbars, EPD), Schneider Electric (Acti9, Multi9, TeSys / Linergy), Sprecher + Schuh (KT7, L8, L9, compact and copper bar), WAGO (812 terminal blocks, 790 carriers, U-shaped shield busbars), and Noark (Ex9 UL 1077 comb busbars). Not sure which series fits your panel? Send us the device part numbers and we will spec the bar.

Busbar FAQs

What is a busbar used for in a control panel?

A busbar distributes power from one incoming feed to multiple devices - circuit breakers, motor starters, or terminals - using a single rigid copper or aluminum conductor instead of individual jumper wires. The result is faster assembly, fewer connection points, consistent phase alignment, and a cleaner panel that is easier to troubleshoot.

What is the difference between a pin and a fork busbar?

Pin-type (comb) busbars have vertical pins that plug directly into a breaker's terminal - fast to install and ideal for most commercial panels. Fork (spade) busbars have U-shaped terminals that slide under the terminal screw and clamp when tightened, which many specifiers prefer where higher short-circuit withstand or controlled torque matters. The breaker terminal style dictates which you can use.

Can a busbar be cut to length?

Many comb busbars are cuttable - you trim the bar to the number of poles you need and cap the cut end. Fixed compact busbars for motor controllers are rated for a specific device count and are not cut down. Check the series datasheet, and always de-energize and deburr before installing.

How do I know which busbar fits my circuit breaker?

Match the brand and series, the pitch (pin spacing), the pole count, and the current rating to your device. Busbars are engineered for specific breaker and starter families, so a bar from one series will not reliably fit another. When in doubt, send Automation Distribution your device part numbers and we will confirm compatibility.

What is the difference between end feed and center feed?

End feed supplies the busbar from one end; center feed supplies it from the middle, which roughly doubles the current the same bar can carry because load is shared in both directions. Many systems list both ratings - for example 100 A end feed and 200 A center feed - so feeding position affects how many devices one bar can serve.

Do busbars come with touch protection?

Most modular busbars are insulated to IP20 and pair with end caps, terminal covers, and shrouds for finger-safe operation. Plug-in systems such as ABB SMISSLINE TP add touch-proof (IP2XB) sockets that let devices be added or removed under voltage. Always finish exposed bar ends with the matching accessory.

Need help specifying a busbar?

Send us your breaker, starter, or controller part numbers and our team will match the correct busbar, pitch, and accessories from ABB, Schneider Electric, Sprecher + Schuh, WAGO, and Noark.

Contact Automation Distribution