Grounds and Neutrals in Electrical Panel
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How to Wire Grounds and Neutrals in Sub Panels – all the neutrals and ground wire and terminal bars must be separated from each other, and your sub feed should be a 4-wire cable that has a separated insulated neutral wire and a separate ground wire. © By: Dave Rongey |
Separation of Grounds and Neutrals in Sub Panels
[ad#block]Electrical Question: I have a new Siemens 100 amp panel. I removed the neutral tie bar, how do I properly bond this panel?
- I will be using the left side of the panel for my ground bar since I removed the tie bar.
- Should the left side be bonded?
This electrical wiring question came from: Steve, a Homeowner from Arlington Hts ,IL
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Steve.
How to Wire Grounds and Neutrals in Sub Panels
Skill Level: Advanced – Licensed Electrical Contractor, Not Recommended for Homeowners.
Tools Required: Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools.
Estimated Time: Depends on the extent of the project, the grounding method to be used and available access to the project area.
Precaution: This is an extensive project that should be performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Notice: Making changes to the Electrical Service Panel should be done with a permit and be inspected.
- Because of the size of the panel I’m assuming this is a sub panel, and yes, all the neutrals and ground wire and terminal bars must be separated from each other, and your sub feed should be a 4-wire cable that has a separated insulated neutral wire and a separate ground wire.
- You should see a copper bonding strap that is screwed to the panel enclosure.
- Just loosen the screw and move this strap so that it is placed into a terminal and tighten it up.
- This will be the bonded ground terminal.
- The other terminal will be for the neutrals.
- These two terminal strips should now be isolated from each other.
- The only place where these two can be bonded is back at the main panel, except for modular or mobile homes.
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