7/25/2023 0 Comments Square d 200 amp breaker![]() This is that big fat solid copper wire you see in the main panel. Many people error in thinking that the ground rods and grounding to the water pipes does this, however this is not the purpose of the grounding electrode system. This facilitates or allows massive current to flow to trip out the circuit breaker. They only carry current in the event of a short to ground (fault current). Ground wires of the branch circuits, more appropriately called equipment grounds, are for safety and do not carry current. Reason for the bonding of neutral and ground at the main panel and only at the main panel. Return current on the neutrals will follow the lowest impedance path to the center tap of the serving transformer via the service neutral. You are in no danger of shock or an energized panel. This puts only the grounds on the bar you added. It is common when possible to move some existing grounds to the new ground bar and use the opened holes to land your new neutrals. Yes you can land both neutral and ground to this bar. (Seems to my sense of logic (which of course is based on a non-professional point of view) that bonding the neutral/ground to the panel could create a situation where the panel itself could at some point be "hot." - But then I probably don't have a complete grasp of the overall neutral/ground concept!) This will then allow me to terminate both grounds and neutrals on any of the above bars. ![]() The bonding screw will connect the main neutral/ground bar to the expansion ground bar via the panel itself. So, to clarify: I will install the bonding screw, and the ground bar kit. ![]() Yes - the ground bar kit is the model referenced for my panel model on the Square D website, and there are sets of wholes to fasten it to on both sides of the back of the panel. Based on this, it looks like I need to install the bonding screw (and it seems like it should have been installed from the start).Ģ. And Yes, both neutrals and grounds are landed on the same bar. Yes - This is the first (and only) panel after the meter and does include a main disconnect breaker. In response to your questions/clarifications/answers:ġ. You can then land both neutrals and grounds to this newly installed bar. If the panel is the main disconnect panel then install the green bonding screw this will bond the neutral bar to the new ground bar via the metal of the enclosure. If your ground bar kit is one for your make of panel then there should be a set of raised swaged holes that are on the backside of the panel can where the new ground bar should be fastened. You would have four wires entering the panel H-H-N-Grd from the disconnect. If this is the case then the panel should be wired as a sub-panel with neutral floating (insulated from the metal can).ie.grounds and neutrals on different bars with the ground bar bonded to the can. If you have a main disconnect out by the meter or before the panel that would probably indicate the panel is main lug only (no main breaker). Three wires will enter the panel from the meter H-H-N. Provided this is the first panel after the meter that also includes the main disconnect. ![]() The fact that the neutrals and grounds are landed on the same bar indicates that this is a main breaker panel, if so then this panel needs the bonding screw installed just as Bob has described. Just a few things to check to cover all your bases.
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