Busbars

FullPower2 Dual PSU with 1m long busbars

Busbars are absolutely the best way to distribute power over large modular systems. They have a resistance in the order of microohms which is orders of magnitude better than what can be achieved with printed circuit boards.

It is also important to keep the resistance of the supply cables as low as possible (we recommend less than 5 milliohms) because this is where common impedance coupling occurs. Therefore these cables should be as short and heavy as possible and the ideal place for positioning busbars is right in front of the PSU. Conversely, external PSUs with longer cables are non-ideal and will degrade the overall system performance.

Multiple PSU systems should have a busbar per rail per PSU, but a single common 0V bar. This may be implemented as one piece or by bolting another busbar between two sets.

Busbars may be mounted directly on wooden case sides or bottoms or on metal 19" rear panels. They can also be integrated with rack frames so that the whole unit may be removed without disconnecting and unscrewing modules.

FullPower3 Triple PSU and 6U/84HP frame with integral busbars

A 430mm/17" bar will fit across an 84HP space and have 36 cable positions, prices from £50 each. Longer bars up to 900mm can be fabricated, or even longer, but the carriage will be higher for lengths over 1m.

Module power cables are screwed to the bars with 4mm ring terminals and may have any connector needed at the module end and lengths up to 500mm. KK and other types used for most modular systems are £2-50 each, Eurorack 10-way connectors are £4-50 each and and 16-way £5-50 each.

Busbars mounted on skiff base

FullPower™ Power Supplies | Modular Audio & Synthesizer Systems

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