How to Size Copper Contacts for 1200 Amps?

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CruiserFJ62
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I am in the process of designing a grounding assembly for a high voltage switch and need to determine what contacts will handle 1200amps. The contacts are U-shaped and a flat copper conductor bar rotates into the U-shaped contact to make the connection. Can anyone point me to a reference or give me info on sizing the contacts? To decrease the amount of heat at the connection do I need more surface area?
 
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CruiserFJ62 said:
I am in the process of designing a grounding assembly for a high voltage switch and need to determine what contacts will handle 1200amps. The contacts are U-shaped and a flat copper conductor bar rotates into the U-shaped contact to make the connection. Can anyone point me to a reference or give me info on sizing the contacts? To decrease the amount of heat at the connection do I need more surface area?

You might send a PM to m.s.j -- he seems to be pretty experienced in high-power stuff like that:

https://www.physicsforums.com/member.php?u=84682

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