Grounding meter socket
#1
11-28-18, 04:28 PM
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Grounding meter socket
hey all, I’m upgrading my service and installing a homeline 200 amp panel directly adjacent to a 200 amp lever bypass Millbank socket (required by POCO). I’m landing my grounding electrodes within the service panel but I’m confused by a bonding strap from inside the socket. “WHEN SERVICE IS NOT GROUNDED REMOVE BONDING STRAP AND RE-INSTALL SCREW” What do they mean by this? It looks like the bonding strap removed would bond the case to nuetral. The service ground and neutral are bonded within the panel by the grounding screw. Is Millbank saying I should remove this strap if NO grounding exists? Are they saying to remove the strap if I’m not landing my gec within the meter socket? Also, I understand, I think, that I’m not supposed to run a jumper between the socket and panel as any faults return on ground to the bonded service panel then out on the neutral? My raceway between then two will most likely be 2” schedule 80 and not metal, about a six inch run. Also, I have underground service of that matters. Single phase obviously. Thanks in advance.
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#2
11-28-18, 07:10 PM
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What do they mean by this?
Is Millbank saying I should remove this strap if NO grounding exists?
Also, I understand, I think, that I’m not supposed to run a jumper between the socket and panel as any faults return on ground to the bonded service panel then out on the neutral?
#3
11-29-18, 08:38 AM
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Why would a service NOT be grounded? Just curious if there is ever a situation where you would need to bond the socket to the enclosure? If I do wind up using a metallic conduit all’s I need to do is use a bonding bushing and attach it to the bus?
#4
11-30-18, 10:52 AM
Why would a service NOT be grounded?
I believe in some parts of the country a 3-wire 3-phase service might still be available where none of the conductors are grounded.
The service ground and neutral are bonded within the panel by the grounding screw.
It sounds as if you landed the GEC on a ground bar instead of the neutral bus, that is wrong. The GEC must be landed "On" the neutral bus. There is a large terminal hole just for this on the neutral bus. The bonding screw is to bond the grounded neutral bus to the panel box.
#5
11-30-18, 01:46 PM
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I haven't done it yet but will be landing the gec to the ground terminal between left and right busses right next to the lug for the neutral. I was under the impression that with the bonding screw it bonds the ground and neutral busses to the enclosure and it is only to be done at the first disconnect from the meter. In a main service panel the left and right busses can be used interchangeably because they are bonded but on a sub panel they have to be separate? Sorry if these are ignorant questions, just trying to teach myself.
#6
11-30-18, 02:21 PM
Yes in a subpanel the ground and neutral buses are physically separate. The neutral bus(es) will be isolated from the metal case with plastic brackets. Left, right, top, bottom is all different depending on manufacturer of the panel, but the important characteristics are that the ground bar is bonded to the metal box and the neutral bar stands off.
Yes in the main panel the neutral and ground are bonded, but they can't always be used interchangeably. Grounds can be landed in either bar, but neutrals can only be landed on the neutral bar. This practice keeps objectionable current from flowing through the panel box metal.
Yes in the main panel the neutral and ground are bonded, but they can't always be used interchangeably. Grounds can be landed in either bar, but neutrals can only be landed on the neutral bar. This practice keeps objectionable current from flowing through the panel box metal.
#7
12-01-18, 11:48 PM
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I’m glad I asked, is there a way to differentiate the ground bar from the nuetral. It’s a homeline 30/60 panel. I don’t think it came with a spec sheet
#8
12-02-18, 08:29 AM
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I normally buy and install separate ground bars that I attach to the can of the panel and leave the other bars as neutral bars. It is always handy to have more holes to connect wires to.
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