Neutral and Ground at main panel
#1
11-10-07, 09:20 PM
Neutral and Ground at main panel
I have an older box sometime around the 80's and was wondering if it is okay that the neutral and ground share the same bar?
If a subpanel was installed would the neutral and ground connect on the same bar?
BOB
If a subpanel was installed would the neutral and ground connect on the same bar?
BOB
#2
11-10-07, 09:27 PM
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I'm not sure what the age of the box has to do with it. 
Is this the "main" panel?
Is there a main disconnect before this panel?
Is the sub-panel in question in a detached structure?
If so what wires are feeding it?
Is this the "main" panel?
Is there a main disconnect before this panel?
Is the sub-panel in question in a detached structure?
If so what wires are feeding it?
#3
11-10-07, 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by mrboyd
I have an older box sometime around the 80's and was wondering if it is okay that the neutral and ground share the same bar?
If a subpanel was installed would the neutral and ground connect on the same bar?
BOB
If a subpanel was installed would the neutral and ground connect on the same bar?
BOB
Outside of the main panel they are always seperate.
#4
11-11-07, 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by fungku
Outside of the main panel they are always seperate.
This is why I asked if it was a detached structure. There are instances where a detached structure can be fed with a 3-wire feeder and the sub-panel is treated like a "main" panel.
#5
11-11-07, 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Speedy Petey
I not sure about Canada but there are exceptions here. They will be removed in the 2008 NEC but that is irrelevant right now.
This is why I asked if it was a detached structure. There are instances where a detached structure can be fed with a 3-wire feeder and the sub-panel is treated like a "main" panel.
This is why I asked if it was a detached structure. There are instances where a detached structure can be fed with a 3-wire feeder and the sub-panel is treated like a "main" panel.
I guess that's where the old saying ...."Exit as a feeder, Enter as a Service"....originated
That's all in the past when the new 08 code comes into effect.
steve
#6
11-11-07, 09:06 AM
some clarification
Yes this is a main panel
Yes there is a disconnect
The subpanel is currently next to it
The pictures will show the neutral / ground bar in question.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...l/PB111137.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...l/PB111136.jpg
Yes there is a disconnect
The subpanel is currently next to it
The pictures will show the neutral / ground bar in question.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...l/PB111137.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...l/PB111136.jpg
#7
11-11-07, 09:15 AM
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Thos pictures aren't clear to me....Which ground bar is in which panel...etc..
Back off a few feet and make a picture of all of the panels in one shot to give the orientation.
steve
Back off a few feet and make a picture of all of the panels in one shot to give the orientation.
steve
#8
11-11-07, 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by hillbilly ace
That's all in the past when the new 08 code comes into effect.
NY State will not likely adopt a version of it until 2015!
It's 2007 and we're working off 1999.
#9
11-11-07, 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by mrboyd
Yes this is a main panel
Yes there is a disconnect
The subpanel is currently next to it
The pictures will show the neutral / ground bar in question.
Yes there is a disconnect
The subpanel is currently next to it
The pictures will show the neutral / ground bar in question.
If a sub-panel is next to it that would need a 4-wire feeder and the grounds and neutrals kept separate.
#11
11-11-07, 09:31 AM
speedy
If a sub-panel is next to it that would need a 4-wire feeder and the grounds and neutrals kept separate.
You are close to what we are talking about now. How would one separate the ground and the neutrals between the two boxes with the setup I have.
You are close to what we are talking about now. How would one separate the ground and the neutrals between the two boxes with the setup I have.
#12
11-11-07, 04:21 PM
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At the main panel, the ground and neutral feeding the sub-panel would be connected to the same bar.
- In the sub-panel the ground and neutral would terminate each on their own bar.
- The neutral is the bar one plastic stand offs and isolated from the metal enclosure.
- The ground bar is the one screwed right to the metal enclosure.
- In the sub-panel the ground and neutral would terminate each on their own bar.
- The neutral is the bar one plastic stand offs and isolated from the metal enclosure.
- The ground bar is the one screwed right to the metal enclosure.
#14
11-11-07, 06:36 PM
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