Subpanel Wiring Question
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 85
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
Subpanel Wiring Question
Hello,
I have a subpanel that was removed from one wall in my basement and is going to be installed on a different wall. Inside the panel, there is are two 5 terminal bus bars that are both connected to what looks like the neutral hook up. It was set up so that the grounds went to one of the 5-terminal busses and the neutrals went to the other. Is this acceptable, or should there be an entirely separate hook up for the grounds? Here's a picture...

Thanks a lot.
I have a subpanel that was removed from one wall in my basement and is going to be installed on a different wall. Inside the panel, there is are two 5 terminal bus bars that are both connected to what looks like the neutral hook up. It was set up so that the grounds went to one of the 5-terminal busses and the neutrals went to the other. Is this acceptable, or should there be an entirely separate hook up for the grounds? Here's a picture...

Thanks a lot.
#2
In a sub panel the ground and neutrals are kept separate. The neutrals will terminate to a buss bar that "floats", meaning that it is only connected to the feeder neutral wire and not the steel box of the panel. The ground bar on the other hand is connected to the steel can effectively grounding it. All the ground wires will terminate there.
Your picture appears to of the neutral bar as I do not see a ground strap or a screw bonding the bar to the can. If your subpanel does not have a separate ground bar, one can be added very easily.
Your picture appears to of the neutral bar as I do not see a ground strap or a screw bonding the bar to the can. If your subpanel does not have a separate ground bar, one can be added very easily.