Disconnect breaker at meter

[Rocket79]

I have a co-worker who is adding a sub panel to a large unattached garage. He currently has a Eaton BAH 25k breaker installed below the meter acting as a disconnect. The Meter is a fair distance from the house.

Now the question. Should the panel in the house be treated as a sub and have isolated neutral and grounds, or can this panel have bonded bus bars?

 

[Aceman]

Huh?

First you're talking about a sub at a garage. Then a meter spaced away from a house?

What are you trying to do?

 

[Marctrees]

Sub at garage, bond to enclosure ground, isolated "floating" Neutral, 4 conductors feeding the garage sub panel.

OHH - you're asking about the main service panel in the house?

Leave alone bonded, as it should be originally. Marc


Marc

 

[Rocket79]

Sorry that was confusing, after I re-read it, it doesn't sound right to me either.

He is adding the sub panel to the garage. That's what got us talking about his electrical supply.

He showed me pictures of his current service, and I'm unsure if this is right, or if he should even be thinking about adding a panel until it is.

 

[dw1]

Sorry that was confusing, after I re-read it, it doesn't sound right to me either.

He is adding the sub panel to the garage. That's what got us talking about his electrical supply.

He showed me pictures of his current service, and I'm unsure if this is right, or if he should even be thinking about adding a panel until it is.

If everything at the house is O.K. run 4 wires to the detached garage sub panel, separate the neutrals and grounds, drive 2 ground rods. A few pics of his set up might help also. (Not sure what his BAH 25K breaker is?) What amperage is it?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Sub at garage, bond to enclosure ground, isolated "floating" Neutral, 4 conductors feeding the garage sub panel.

OHH - you're asking about the main service panel in the house?

Leave alone bonded, as it should be originally. Marc


Marc

Incorrect.

The OP states that there is a disconnect at the meter which means the house panel is a subpanel NOT the main service panel.

Neutral is bonded up to the first disconnect. Then isolated past that.

The house panel is considered a subpanel

Sorry that was confusing, after I re-read it, it doesn't sound right to me either.

He is adding the sub panel to the garage. That's what got us talking about his electrical supply.

He showed me pictures of his current service, and I'm unsure if this is right, or if he should even be thinking about adding a panel until it is.

Take some pics of the main and house panel and post them here.

 

[finn]

I have a property like that: "pass through " box mounted outside near the meter, with ground and a couple of breakers for outside lights and outlets, plus the garage.

Main box with the household circuits is mounted inside, with the grounds separated.

Inspector and electrician agreed that is the proper setup.

 

[Rocket79]

Sorry these are a little unclear, he sent them via text.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Incorrect.

The OP states that there is a disconnect at the meter which means the house panel is a subpanel NOT the main service panel.

Neutral is bonded up to the first disconnect. Then isolated past that.

The house panel is considered a subpanel

For new installation, YES !

It the disconnect does not have a ground rod, you are not required to update to current code. If the garage was going to be feed off of this disconnect (main), you might be required to add a ground and BOND inside this box AND to run 4 wire to the house and UN-BOND the house panel. Depends on the inspector's definition of "significant upgrade".

 

[theoldwizard1]

Is that a 3 phase panel converted to split phase (note the red jumper at the top) ?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Is that a 3 phase panel converted to split phase (note the red jumper at the top) ?

Definitely bonded in both boxes.


Appears to be bonded at the main disconnect also.

Possibly 4 wires to the house ?

 

[Aceman]

You need to tell your coworker to call an electrician. Whoever has been doing the work at his place just needs to stop. It is obvious they don't know what they're doing.

This is the reason there is a permit process.

 

[Norcal]

You need to tell your coworker to call an electrician. Whoever has been doing the work at his place just needs to stop. It is obvious they don't know what they're doing.

This is the reason there is a permit process.

Have to agree with this, time to tear it out and start over.

 

[Rocket79]

You need to tell your coworker to call an electrician.

That's what I'm going to do at this point.

Thank you all for your advice.

This kind of stuff really puts me in a bad spot. I'm an electronics tech by trade. Everything I work with is DC and controller circuits. People I work with think electrical is all the same and ask me questions all the time. When I tell them it's like comparing Baseball to Cricket, they don't understand and are upset because they think I just don't want to help them. It's time to reiterate that this is not my game.

 

[alfredeneuman]

That's what I'm going to do at this point.

This kind of stuff really puts me in a bad spot. I'm an electronics tech by trade. Everything I work with is DC and controller circuits. People I work with think electrical is all the same and ask me questions all the time. When I tell them it's like comparing Baseball to Cricket, they don't understand and are upset because they think I just don't want to help them. It's time to reiterate that this is not my game.

Once people hear "electrical" they think you know everything about everything.
I wish I had a nickel for ever time, as an electrician, somebody has asked me to fix their radio.

You decision to hire an electrician was a wise one
That other guy knows just enough to be dangerous and no more than that

 

[wyliesdiesels]

For new installation, YES !

It the disconnect does not have a ground rod, you are not required to update to current code. If the garage was going to be feed off of this disconnect (main), you might be required to add a ground and BOND inside this box AND to run 4 wire to the house and UN-BOND the house panel. Depends on the inspector's definition of "significant upgrade".

Nome of that made sense.

Bonding or not bonding a neutral bar has NOTHING to do with whether there is a ground rod installed or not.

And judging by the new shiny breakers Id say this install is pretty new.

Pre2008 u could have a bonded neutral in a detached. However, it looks like there is a 4-wire feed so the bonded neutral bars are INCORRECT.

Also looks like quadruplex URD was used. If thats the case then it needs to be ripped out.

And whats with the 3-phase panel?

Definitely bonded in both boxes.


Appears to be bonded at the main disconnect also.

Possibly 4 wires to the house ?

It is 4-wire- see the 2 wires on the neutral bar? so the bond needs to be removed.

This is a dangerous hack job!

OP any updates??