VDA 355 Module 1P4S, 2P6S and 3P4S Explained

19 October 2026

Short answer: In battery module notation, xPyS means x cells in parallel per group and y groups in series, giving x times y cells in total. A VDA 355 module in 1P4S holds 4 large cells; 2P6S and 3P4S each hold 12 smaller cells. All three fit the same ~355 x 151 x 108 mm housing and store roughly 2.55-2.59 kWh, but at different voltage and current ratings.

The VDA 355 format is named after the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) and is identified by its outer dimensions of roughly 355 x 151 x 108 mm. What varies between catalogue variants is the internal cell arrangement, expressed as a configuration code.

What the xPyS notation means

The notation follows a simple rule:

x is the number of cells connected in parallel within each group.
y is the number of those groups connected in series.
Total cell count = x multiplied by y.

Parallel cells share the same voltage and add their capacities; series groups share the same current and add their voltages. Changing x and y reshuffles the same energy between voltage and capacity without leaving the same housing.

The three NMC VDA 355 configurations

All three variants described here use NMC chemistry. For a comparison of NMC against LFP in this format, see the chemistry guide for LFP vs NMC in a VDA 355 module.

1P4S: four large cells, higher capacity per cell

With x = 1 and y = 4, the 1P4S holds four cells in a single series string. Each cell carries the full module current, so the cells themselves are large-format, contributing roughly 174-177 Ah each at the module level (the catalogue states both figures; the nominal is taken here as approximately 177 Ah).

Nominal voltage: 14.64 V
Operating window: 11.2 to 17.4 V
Rated continuous current: 174 A
Peak current: 348 A
Energy: 2.59 kWh
Mass: 11.85 kg
Cycle life: 2,000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge

With four cells and no parallel branches, every series group is a single cell.

2P6S: twelve smaller cells, higher voltage

With x = 2 and y = 6, the 2P6S holds twelve cells: pairs of two in parallel, six pairs in series. Each individual cell contributes approximately 58 Ah. The six series groups push the voltage up to 22.02 V nominal.

Nominal voltage: 22.02 V
Operating window: 16.5 to 26.1 V (0 to 55 degrees C); 13.2 to 26.1 V (-30 to 0 degrees C)
Rated continuous current: 116 A
Peak current: 332 A
Energy: 2.55 kWh
Mass: 12.2 kg
Cycle life: 1,500 cycles at 80% depth of discharge

At low temperature the lower voltage limit of this module drops from 16.5 V to 13.2 V (catalogue data).

3P4S: twelve smaller cells, higher current

With x = 3 and y = 4, the 3P4S also holds twelve cells but arranged as groups of three in parallel, four groups in series. The four series groups give the same voltage band as the 1P4S (four series groups, same cell chemistry), while three cells in parallel raise the current rating.

Nominal voltage: 14.68 V
Rated continuous current: 174 A
Peak current: 348 A
Energy: approximately 2.55-2.59 kWh
Mass: 12.2 kg
Cycle life: 1,500 cycles at 95% depth of discharge

The 3P4S and 2P6S both hold twelve cells of approximately 58 Ah each (the module capacity divided by the parallel count). The difference is purely in how those twelve cells are wired.

How the configuration determines pack architecture

This is where the choice matters to a pack designer or purchaser. The full specification context for VDA 355 module dimensions covers the mechanical side; the electrical side depends on the configuration.

Voltage and how many modules you need in series

To reach a 400 V pack bus, a 2P6S module at 22 V nominal requires roughly 18-19 modules in series. A 1P4S or 3P4S module at approximately 14.6 V nominal requires roughly 27-28 modules in series for the same target. Fewer series modules mean fewer inter-module connections and a simpler string; more series modules give finer voltage granularity.

Current and what the busbars and fuses must handle

At the same energy level, lower voltage means higher current for the same power. A 3P4S string at 14.7 V and 174 A rated carries considerably more current than a 2P6S string at 22 V and 116 A. Busbar cross-sections, fuse ratings and contactor specifications all follow from this. Purchasing the wrong configuration can require re-engineering the current-carrying components of the pack.

Why the 1P4S differs structurally from the other two

The 1P4S has four cells in the 174-177 Ah class, where the 2P6S and 3P4S use twelve cells of about 58 Ah. That changes how current is shared inside the module and how the cells are connected. Neither topology is universally better; the choice depends on the voltage, current and thermal requirements of the application.

Configuration comparison table

Code	Cells	Nominal voltage	Capacity	Energy	Rated current	Cycle life (DoD)
1P4S	4	14.64 V	~177 Ah	2.59 kWh	174 A	2,000 cycles at 80%
2P6S	12	22.02 V	116 Ah	2.55 kWh	116 A	1,500 cycles at 80%
3P4S	12	14.68 V	174 Ah	~2.55-2.59 kWh	174 A	1,500 cycles at 95%

All three variants share the same housing: approximately 355 x 151 x 108 mm, NMC chemistry.

BMS and supervision considerations

The configuration code also affects what a cell supervision circuit (CSC) or slave board needs to measure. A 2P6S module has six series groups to balance; a 1P4S has four. Whether a CSC is integrated into a given module is a product-specific detail to confirm per item, not a format-level constant. The same applies to temperature sensors: common in this format, but the scope varies by product and project.

For the range of VDA 355 and MEB modules available for quotation, the VDA and MEB battery module catalogue from Avantis Energy lists current configurations with their specifications.

If your application also involves considering the larger format, the comparison between VDA 355 and MEB 590 covers how the two formats differ in energy density and application fit.

Frequently asked questions

What does 2P6S mean on a battery module?
2P6S means two cells connected in parallel per group, with six such groups connected in series. Total cell count is 2 x 6 = 12. In a VDA 355 2P6S module, this gives a nominal voltage of 22.02 V and a rated continuous current of 116 A, with an energy content of 2.55 kWh.

How many cells does a VDA 355 1P4S module contain?
A 1P4S module contains 1 x 4 = 4 cells. In the VDA 355 format these are large-format cells of approximately 174-177 Ah each, giving a module nominal voltage of 14.64 V and a rated current of 174 A, at 2.59 kWh total energy.

Why do 2P6S and 3P4S have the same cell count but different voltages?
Both hold 12 cells, but the series/parallel split differs. 2P6S has six series groups, giving approximately 22 V nominal. 3P4S has four series groups, giving approximately 14.7 V nominal. More series groups raise voltage; more parallel cells raise current capacity. The energy stored is nearly identical because the cell type and count are the same.

How does the configuration code affect pack design?
It determines the module's nominal voltage and rated current, which directly sets how many modules must be placed in series to reach the target pack voltage, and what current the busbars, fuses and contactors must carry. Selecting 2P6S instead of 3P4S for the same pack bus voltage needs roughly a third fewer modules in series (18 instead of 27 for about 400 V) and lowers the rated current from 174 A to 116 A.

Is the cycle life figure the same across all VDA 355 configurations?
No. Based on catalogue data: the 1P4S is rated at 2,000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge; the 2P6S at 1,500 cycles at 80% DoD; the 3P4S at 1,500 cycles at 95% DoD. The depth of discharge basis differs between variants, so direct comparison requires normalising to the same DoD.

Specify the right configuration

The three configurations carry nearly identical energy in the same housing, but the internal wiring determines your pack voltage, string length and current-handling requirements. Review the full module specifications and request a quotation from Avantis Energy to confirm which configuration fits your pack architecture.