Square D electrical panel question

[clare]

Sorry about that.

[clare]

And it's more scary knowing that!!

[clare]

No I won't. But I will change it to the main breaker in the panel is most likely the main disconnect. execept in some rare situations where there is a switch on the pole to disconnect the panel from the grid. The most likely exception would be where "central metering" is used.

[clare]

The can/housing of ALL panels needs to be grounded, as does every switch and outlet box, as well as all utility boxes. ONLY in the "main/service disconnect" may the neutral and ground be directly connected. The neutral bonding screw or jumper connects the neutral buss to the case ground.

[Tony944]

I noticed a friends's Square D panel, the neutral and ground (from the utility company feed) are connected to the same bar. And less than an inch apart.

ABOVE: That is correct "HOWEVER" once you start to distribute power to receptacles lights ETC. The ground most not at any time carry any current, your Neutral is tied to ground block "but" it will be isolated from the ground after that point and it most remain that way, and it will carry current from that point. Also remember what I said the ground does not carry any current, however that is only "AFTER" distribution panel. Coming into distribution panel yes at the time could become hot, depend where is grounded and on how many places is grounded. "NEVER disconnect ground with power being on, on incoming line to the distribution panel, because panel itself can become hot.

Shouldn't the ground be connected to the separate ground bar?

Should I move the ground wire?

[clare]

My square D has split neutral and about 6 ground blocks - makes it a real treat to wire.

[DerbyDad03]

"Most likely" is just a stronger version of "may be", so I'll accept that.

Please change "execept" (sic) to "For example".

"Except" implies a singular instance, while "for example" indicates that there is more than one case that differs from the norm.

There could be a service disconnect external to a distribution panel and then a "main breaker" in the distribution panel itself.

See, there you go! :-) "most likely exception" leaves room for more than one exception.

[Stormin Mormon]

Anyone wish to answer the OP's OQ?

[Stormin Mormon]

gets some corrosion, the current may go to the grounds. I'm also concerned that the grounds go to two ground bars (some what like the neutral bars) and the ground bars may be not connected to any thing useful like the service entrance ground. At least one outlet I checked shows open ground.] your Neutral

concerned there may be corrosion or open neutral at some point. And I need to check a couple other outlets to see if every outlet in the house has open ground.] depend where is grounded and on

Center posted as a courtesy.

. Christopher A. Young learn more about Jesus .

. .

Tony944

[DerbyDad03]

to grounded? I may have the wrong vision in my head but I think I imagined that the ground bar was in an insulated holder like the neutral bar but now I remember the grounding bar being attached directly to the can/housing. D rain bamage, not enough sleep. Sometimes I can't spell kat. o_O

It was answered within hours of your question, with a qualifying "if". Since you never directly addressed the "if" it's on you.

I'll make it easy for you:

If this "if" is true, then you already have your answer:

"No if this is the service disconnect enclosure where the ground electrode conductor lands and the main disconnect resides..."

If that "if" is not true, then you need to tell us more about the installation. In other words, if the service disconnect is not in the panel you are asking about, then where is it?

[trader_4]

e to grounded? I may have the wrong vision in my head but I think I imagine d that the ground bar was in an insulated holder like the neutral bar but n ow I remember the grounding bar being attached directly to the can/housing. Drain bamage, not enough sleep. Sometimes I can't spell kat. o_O

+1

IDK what he doesn't understand at this point with no additional input.

[trader_4]

What he posted is still wrong, after he's had an opportunity to review it several time. He keeps saying a service disconnect that isn't the main breaker in the panel has to be on a pole, which it does not. But heh, he won't listen to me because I'm supposed to be a jerk.

[Stormin Mormon]

The power comes from the pole to a meter box, which is outside the house. The power company can remove the meter and put plastic boots over the contacts, so I'd dare to say that is a primitive service disconnect.

I've not been out that side of the house in several years. don't know how the ground bar in the ground connects in to the matter. But, I do know the meter is outdoors.

There is some kind of cable from the meter box to the circuit breaker panel. The question is about the circuit breaker panel.

The ground wire in question comes in from outdoors (in a plastic wrapped sheath with two hots and a neutral). The ground wire presently connects to the same metal bar, about an inch from where the neutral connects.

It is possible (enough wire to work with) to move the ground wire (from outdoors) to a screw connector on one of the two ground screw bars.

I'm not a code reading electrician, and thank you for making it easy for me.

[Stormin Mormon]

I kind of got that impression.

[DerbyDad03]

You can dare to say it, but unless this code has been updated since it was posted in 2002, the meter is not considered a service disconnect because it is not considered to be service equipment.

Please refer to the mention of "meter" in Part 1 - General and 230.66 for more detail.

Please see my comment about this a bit later on...

Yep, pretty sure we all knew that.

You've stated that you "don't know how the ground bar in the ground connects in to the matter".

I'll assume "matter" means "meter".

Until you know that and tell us, it would be unconscionable for us to tell you what wires can be moved without any qualification.

Then perhaps you should find one, have him/her assess the situation and let him/her make the determination as to whether any wires should be moved.

As I said earlier, you have received an answer to your question with a qualifying "if". No one can answer the question with any more certainty unless you can address the "if" in more detail.

You are most welcome.

[trader_4]

It's not a service disconnect per code. Good reason too, it's not meant to be an easy, accessible means for anyone to disconnect the service.

As previously explained, the ground and the neutral are supposed to be connected together at the service disconnect. Exactly how they are connected may vary depending on the panel. Did you pull up the instructions for the specific panel?

Why do you think you need to move anything?

[clare]

I answered the OP's question. It's OK, don't screw with it.

[clare]

He doesn't have a clue.

[clare]

It is not a "sevice disconnect" as defined by code.

Which is exactly as it should be. Don't screw with it.

It is code compliant the way it is. Don't screw with it.

[Mr Macaw]

I'm in the UK, so I don't know how your systems work. But my house only has TWO wires coming into it. 240V and 0V. Neutral and ground are both connected to the 0V line, which is an earth spike at the 11kV to 240V substation (transformer) across the road.