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. |
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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Summary: Electrical Sub-Panel wiring considerations for the home complete with pictures. Careful planning for your Sub-Panel with immediate and future load considerations will help you understand how to size your Sub-Panel. This information will help as you consider a Sub-Panel and its size. |
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I have a 60 amp sub panel and want to add a subpanel off of that. How do I wire this and what size wire can I use? Does the neutral and grounds have to separate? Do I need 4 wire? What size sub panel can I add?
Hi Joe,
The purpose or application for adding a sub panel will be the determining factor which will then justify the required amperage and voltage. Once this has been established then the wide variety of resources found here will help you select the cable size and the panel components. Please see the online panel sizing calculator and voltage drop calculator here on the website to assist you. When installing a 120/240 volt sub panel a 4 wire feeder is installed and the grounds and neutrals must be separated.
I hope this helps,
Dave