Service bonding ?
#1
05-11-17, 09:55 PM
Service bonding ?
I'm replaing the 200A main disconnect on the side of the house with a "Square D by Schneider Electric HOM816M200FTRB Homeline 200-Amp 8-Space 16-Circuit Outdoor Main Breaker Load Center with Feed-Thru Lugs" so I can have breakers for the garage.
Anyway - looking at the pics of the current installation, am I correct to assume that I need to bond my new box? It looks like the current disconnect box has the neutral and grounds all bonded together. Right?
Anyway - looking at the pics of the current installation, am I correct to assume that I need to bond my new box? It looks like the current disconnect box has the neutral and grounds all bonded together. Right?
Last edited by PJmax; 05-11-17 at 10:09 PM. Reason: reoriented pictures
#2
05-11-17, 11:00 PM
Group Moderator
That disconnect would be considered the main panel and the panel in the house would be a subpanel. That means at the panel in the house... all neutrals and grounds are separated from each other.
Your grounds and neutrals will still connect there. You will probably need some additional aux lugs for neutrals.
I had to check into the feed thru lugs. They are feed from the 200A main and will feed the house.
Your grounds and neutrals will still connect there. You will probably need some additional aux lugs for neutrals.
I had to check into the feed thru lugs. They are feed from the 200A main and will feed the house.
#5
05-12-17, 04:55 PM
Group Moderator
I needed to make the picture lighter Ray.
Yours neutral and grounds are separate..... not bonded.
Your grounds are connected to ground bars attached directly to the panel.
Your whites are connected to isolated neutral bars.
I think the green wire at the bottom is in the wrong place. It should go to a lug and directly to the panel.... not the neutral bar.
On edit:
In looking further... that green wire comes from the meter and IS in the wrong place.
It needs to connect only to the panel (ground).
Yours neutral and grounds are separate..... not bonded.
Your grounds are connected to ground bars attached directly to the panel.
Your whites are connected to isolated neutral bars.
I think the green wire at the bottom is in the wrong place. It should go to a lug and directly to the panel.... not the neutral bar.
On edit:
In looking further... that green wire comes from the meter and IS in the wrong place.
It needs to connect only to the panel (ground).
#6
05-12-17, 06:19 PM
Is it common for electricians to wire something wrong like this? The house is a modular so it was wired someplace else. Is there a threaded hole someplace in the box that I can move that lower green wire to?
Also, on the service disconnect box, the grounds and neutrals ARE together. They are also bonded to the box somehow. (I checked continuity between the lugs and the box.)
Also, on the service disconnect box, the grounds and neutrals ARE together. They are also bonded to the box somehow. (I checked continuity between the lugs and the box.)
#9
05-12-17, 07:31 PM
Group Moderator
I forgot to point out that the lower left neutral lug has a green bonding screw right next to it. That was why I assumed it was bonded.
#10
05-12-17, 08:14 PM
Group Moderator
I checked continuity between the lugs and the box.
(That is unless a wire is broken or open)
Usually when the ground wire enters the box it is run thru a connector and bonded to the box at that point as well as at the bar. There may also be a bonding screw on the neutral inside your disconnect. That would be correct.
