Did my electrician incorrectly wire the sub panel ground conductor?
#1
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Did my electrician incorrectly wire the sub panel ground conductor?
I hired an electrician to replace my meter with a meter/main combo. This means the "main" service disconnect is now outdoors.
I notice a couple things:
(1) I am not sure that he completely unbonded the neutrals from the grounds. I see the green earth ground conductor on that terminal strip with some neutrals.
(2) I can't tell if he isolated the neutral terminal strip from the case.
(3) The green earth grounding conductor still comes out of the loadcenter. No ground comes out of the meter/main box.
Below are pictures. Can you tell me if you think there is a problem or not?
NOTE: That black conductor in the small lug next to the neutral lug is a conductor that goes to my copper plumbing.
I notice a couple things:
(1) I am not sure that he completely unbonded the neutrals from the grounds. I see the green earth ground conductor on that terminal strip with some neutrals.
(2) I can't tell if he isolated the neutral terminal strip from the case.
(3) The green earth grounding conductor still comes out of the loadcenter. No ground comes out of the meter/main box.
Below are pictures. Can you tell me if you think there is a problem or not?
NOTE: That black conductor in the small lug next to the neutral lug is a conductor that goes to my copper plumbing.
Last edited by PJmax; 08-28-19 at 05:18 PM. Reason: imported/resized pictures
#2
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1. The neutral is the grounded conductor. It is bonded AT THE SERVICE(meter location) to the ground, and all metallic piping systems. The neutral is isolated from the ground in the sub panel.
Your pic does not explain whether it is the service or the subpanel. It appears it is the service panel, I am not sure because of the sticker on the exterior that says main disconnect. If there is a breaker outside then all of the grounding belongs in that cabinet with a bond wire to the interior panel. The SE cable feeding the inside panel would be wrong because the neutral is made/created at the main breaker location. You id'ed the water bond and the green stranded appears it might be your grounding conductor. The numbers on the main breaker handle say 200 amps. This green stranded wire if it is the grounding conductor is not sufficient for the service. At 200 amps you need a min of #6 wire. For sure putting the conductor the crack of the concrete allows it to be subject to damage or worse theft.
You really need to contact your local authorities, and have this inspected. I have kept my answer to the glaring issues, there could be others for your locality. The electric code has amendments for local situations.
Your pic does not explain whether it is the service or the subpanel. It appears it is the service panel, I am not sure because of the sticker on the exterior that says main disconnect. If there is a breaker outside then all of the grounding belongs in that cabinet with a bond wire to the interior panel. The SE cable feeding the inside panel would be wrong because the neutral is made/created at the main breaker location. You id'ed the water bond and the green stranded appears it might be your grounding conductor. The numbers on the main breaker handle say 200 amps. This green stranded wire if it is the grounding conductor is not sufficient for the service. At 200 amps you need a min of #6 wire. For sure putting the conductor the crack of the concrete allows it to be subject to damage or worse theft.
You really need to contact your local authorities, and have this inspected. I have kept my answer to the glaring issues, there could be others for your locality. The electric code has amendments for local situations.
#4
The only thing I see is the ground wire (green) going across the sidewalk and where that same ground wire terminated. It should actually go to the disconnect outside unless that is not the first overcurrent device. I assume that green wire is going to a ground rod. I would have run it to the right down the wall a put the ground rod there.
There is a black wire that is also connected to the neutral bar. I assume that is going to the water service. That also should be run to the main disconnect.
I see the feeder is a 4 wire so you are good there.
There is a black wire that is also connected to the neutral bar. I assume that is going to the water service. That also should be run to the main disconnect.
I see the feeder is a 4 wire so you are good there.
#6
Our advice is based on national code, but bonding the service entrance is one spot where local codes or power company policies often overrule NEC. I agree with the other posters in that this service was not done per NEC. However, the local inspector passed it and the power company sealed the meter so they are most likely working off a local code.
I definitely would not have run the GEC through the sidewalk expansion joint like that, but again the inspector allowed it so that makes it legal.
I definitely would not have run the GEC through the sidewalk expansion joint like that, but again the inspector allowed it so that makes it legal.