Mysfyt
Platinum Member
opcorntub::beer::antacid:Electricians: can neutral be anything but white?
- Thread starter LD1
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opcorntub::beer::antacid:
OP
LD1
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At some point though, the neutral needs tied to ground. That "some point" is my breaker box
This is not a sub panel. This is a main panel. Next thing upstream is the meter.
aczlan
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Then the neutral and ground should be bonded. Under current code, the first disconnect (be it the breaker panel, a generator switch, etc) is the ONLY place where neutral and ground should be bonded. Everywhere else should get a separate ground and neutral run to them.
Aaron Z
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LD1
Epic Contributor
You don't have to explain it to me. I know my panel needs to be bonded.
I am inquiring as to why someone else thinks it don't need to be
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
is there a breaker in the meter panel? Otherwise how can you be running 20 amp circuits
OP
LD1
Epic Contributor
Main breaker is in main panel. Its a 200a main box full of 20a breakers below it.
Not sure I understand what you are asking about how I can run 20a circuits.
Its a pretty standard and straight forward service install. Transformer is on a pole ~100' away. Drop comes down the pole and into the meter, then out of the meter and underground to my building's main panel.
Not sure I understand what you are asking about how I can run 20a circuits.
Its a pretty standard and straight forward service install. Transformer is on a pole ~100' away. Drop comes down the pole and into the meter, then out of the meter and underground to my building's main panel.
s219
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I am getting huffy because you're a rude blowhard coming in here accusing people of being too poor to buy wires or too stupid to do wiring, when it's really apparent you just can't read or comprehend what we're discussing. I have seen you do the same thing on other threads about wiring barns or generators because you can't comprehend how people are running ground wires and ground rods or using interlocks, when it's correct and 100% to code.
What LD1 is proposing here is perfectly up to code and acceptable. As for me, I never ever said "current returns to ground on neutral" as you claim, in fact it's not even in my vocabulary to think like that. Read the whole thread and do your best to quote me saying that -- I guarantee you won't find it. Otherwise, knock of the childish behavior, you are adding *zero* to the discussion and just being rude to everyone.
s219
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LD1, you know what you're doing. There has been some good new information in this thread, and I do think you should upsize your conduit bigger than 1/2" at least for the main runs, but it's clear you have the basics and theory right.
In this situation, I agree with you that you should bond neutral and ground in your main panel, as you already plan to do. The only time you would not do that is if you were putting in a *feeder* circuit to an outbuilding with a sub panel, in which case you'd still have ground rods at the outbuilding, but would leave neutral and ground unbonded in the sub panel. Since your building is fed by a service feed with a meter and a main panel, that main panel is the right place to bond neutral and ground and tie in ground rods. Anyone suggesting otherwise is not understanding or reading the facts right.
In this situation, I agree with you that you should bond neutral and ground in your main panel, as you already plan to do. The only time you would not do that is if you were putting in a *feeder* circuit to an outbuilding with a sub panel, in which case you'd still have ground rods at the outbuilding, but would leave neutral and ground unbonded in the sub panel. Since your building is fed by a service feed with a meter and a main panel, that main panel is the right place to bond neutral and ground and tie in ground rods. Anyone suggesting otherwise is not understanding or reading the facts right.
JimRB
Veteran Member
What if the meter box has a disconnect breaker in it? If the main panel is a 100 feet away or even 2 feet away from that meter box with a disconnect breaker does that make the 40 circuit breaker panel a sub-panel?
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I run into a lot of mains that are a single screw 30 amp fuse or two 30 amp screw in fuses... with one being neutral and the other hot...
Also run into a lot of split mains... no one breaker turns off all the power...
Both of the above were very common in my part of the country for a long time... (California)
Still very interesting to read these threads if for no other reason than just to get me thinking...
All this talk makes me think I should take some pictures for the scrapbook... of how homes were wired from 1910 to 1960.
Also run into a lot of split mains... no one breaker turns off all the power...
Both of the above were very common in my part of the country for a long time... (California)
Still very interesting to read these threads if for no other reason than just to get me thinking...
All this talk makes me think I should take some pictures for the scrapbook... of how homes were wired from 1910 to 1960.