Morning everyone,

Scenario: need to split incoming 63A live to various "sub" supplies. Problem is that I cannot fit multiple 16mm2 and 10mm2 cables into the 63A breaker. 

Obvious solution,  use a busbar (behind the incoming 63A MCB).

Question: can one use a spare neutral busbar for such Live distribution? Considering the busbar is exposed once DB cover is removed....

If yes, this is allowed, I'd still prefer to cover the live busbar with some sort of plastic / insulation. Any idea where to get such "busbar plastic protection cover"?

Other option, maybe best to just get an additional covered busbar or distribution block, such as this?

 

Keen to hear suggestions, thanks all...

Edited October 10, 20232 yr by markus_m2

Another alternative is to make use of a Higher current rated Isolator. MCB isolators can go up to 100A. This can usually accommodate larger wire sizes. 

I have the same issues when I am using Changeover switches. So I make use of a 125A Changeover switch because the wire ways are much larger & allow good space for at least 3 X 16mm2 gauge wire. 

This S-TEC changeover has 125A rating. Meaning it's terminals can handle 125A. An isolator can work in the same way. It can handle 100A for eg. & you can use an MCB rated at 63A to regulate the amperage Limit & use the Isolator as a bus. 

That's a hell of a change-over switch 😵

Thanks Steve, makes sense what you say ... will consider this alternative.

Any other thoughts / suggestions? Is one allowed to use a neutral busbar?

or you can use Din terninals - comes in various amp sizes.

You must also install the bridge piece between the various terminals,

so 3 din terminals with the bridge connector gives you 6 connection points

 Termination And Wiring Accessories - MCE Electric

FBRI-10-5-00AH - BUS BAR BRIDGE FOR PC2.5 TERMINALS P=5.2 (mantech.co.za)

Edited October 10, 20232 yr by Virwat
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You can also use these type of connection terminal from Hager or Schneider:

What I have done on the installation where I am running 3 Kodak 7.2Kw units in parallel is, is I took the 25mm2 cable coming out of the main isolator for the db and I joined 3 6mm2 cables to the 25mm2 cable with a 50mm2 ferrule where the stopper has been removed so that the  cables can lie parallel to each other in the ferrule.

The cables are stripped the length of the ferrule and the 25mm2 cable enter on the one side and the 3 x 6mm2 cables enter on the other side and the 3 x 6mm2 cables are inserted at the same time into the ferrule otherwise it does not work, after inserting all the cables into the ferrule they are crimped a couple of times along the length of the ferrule to make sure that there is proper contact between all the cables in the ferrule and finally insulated with heat-shrink, I use 2 layers of heat-shrink.