Acceptible fix for my subpanel screw up?

[gt1guy]

I had asked a week ago about which was bonded, the sub panel or the main breaker panel (service entrance). Thanks to the kind folks on here, my thinking was backwards and that has been rectified.

This led me to go back and double check the few circuits I had already wired in the sub panel. Sure enough, I had the grounds wired in with the neutral. Ok, that shouldn't be a big deal, just wire the grounds to the grounding bar.

Problem #2 now. Ground wires are not long enough to make it down to the ground bar in the sub panel.

My solution, which I'm here to ask if it's ok, was to add a couple more ground bars in the sub panel where the ground wires will reach. All three ground bars are tied together.

Pictures:

This is the main SqD 200 amp service panel. Note the green bonding screw is installed. Red and Black wires are connected to a 125 amp breaker, Ground and Neutral connected up by the bonding screw. This is feeding the sub panel.

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This is how I had the sub panel wired wrong. Note grounds are tied in with neutral. Green bonding screw has been removed, so basically nothing was connected to the ground bar which sits at the bottom of the sub panel. Also notice I don't have much slack in the ground wires.

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This is my fix. Added a pair of ground bars higher up. I have no idea if this falls within code, or is just a bad idea. Seeking opinions of those who know.

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Kevin

 

[Zeke]

I can't give you the answer but you do nice work even if it is wrong to begin with.

 

[Chris Stapley]

Think I would suggest leaving the grounding buss bars as is and adding a section of wire with a marred the to the to the ground to lengthen the circuit! I am quite certain this is within code at least here in Ontario?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Youre ok with the extra ground bars,No need to have the jumpers between them though once the 1st one is bonded/mechanical connected to panel.
Thats one of the nicer installs Ive seen on here in a long time.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Additional ground bars are fine. No need for the jumpers as zmax said above.

Is this subpanel in the same structure as the main?

 

[Cmreschke]

Extra bars ok

 

[dw1]

Additional ground bars are fine. No need for the jumpers as zmax said above.

Is this subpanel in the same structure as the main?

Wylie is asking this because if its in a detached structure, it is going to need a main breaker, also does your 125 amp back fed main have a hold down kit (Attaching the breaker to the panel where it cant pull out?

 

[Stuff]

Also - Can't tell from pics but cables normally need secured within 12 inches.

 

[Speedy Petey]

........, also does your 125 amp back fed main have a hold down kit (Attaching the breaker to the panel where it cant pull out?

Looks to me like that is the feeder breaker in the main panel, which is not finished yet. I could be wrong.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Wylie is asking this because if its in a detached structure, it is going to need a main breaker, also does your 125 amp back fed main have a hold down kit (Attaching the breaker to the panel where it cant pull out?

Yes it will need a main breaker. But its also missing the GEC for the grounding electrodes. Again, these items are only required in a detached structure.

The 125a breaker is in the main panel not the sub and its feeding the sub.

 

[gt1guy]

Additional ground bars are fine. No need for the jumpers as zmax said above.

Is this subpanel in the same structure as the main?

Yes. Basically on opposite corners of the shop. Shop has it's own 200 amp feed/meter/main completely separate from the house.

I've read on here where you guys have said something like, if there's more than 6 breakers in the sub, it needs it's own main breaker. Or something to that effect. I just started doing my 240v outlets for welding machines and equipment, and have blown past the 6 breaker number pretty quick. So I guess another 125 amp breaker for the sub panel is in it's future.

Can I just add a main breaker to the sub panel I have now? Or are we talking a different panel? Guess I'll head out there now to investigate.

Also the sub is roughly 110 feet from the main.

Haven't done the ground rods yet. I have two for the main and two for the sub. Plus one more for each of the opposite corners just because lightening loves to hit things around here. I have a brand new transformer feeding just my house and shop because lightening hit the old one.

Jumpers on sub ground bars will be removed. I haven't really done much in the way of securing the cables yet. Was waiting for everything to get ran.

 

[dw1]

Yes it will need a main breaker. But its also missing the GEC for the grounding electrodes. Again, these items are only required in a detached structure.

The 125a breaker is in the main panel not the sub and its feeding the sub.

Oops, my fault (All in same structure), carry on!!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes. Basically on opposite corners of the shop. Shop has it's own 200 amp feed/meter/main completely separate from the house.

I've read on here where you guys have said something like, if there's more than 6 breakers in the sub, it needs it's own main breaker. Or something to that effect. I just started doing my 240v outlets for welding machines and equipment, and have blown past the 6 breaker number pretty quick. So I guess another 125 amp breaker for the sub panel is in it's future.

Can I just add a main breaker to the sub panel I have now? Or are we talking a different panel? Guess I'll head out there now to investigate.

Also the sub is roughly 110 feet from the main.

Haven't done the ground rods yet. I have two for the main and two for the sub. Plus one more for each of the opposite corners just because lightening loves to hit things around here. I have a brand new transformer feeding just my house and shop because lightening hit the old one.

Jumpers on sub ground bars will be removed. I haven't really done much in the way of securing the cables yet. Was waiting for everything to get ran.

reqding comprehension is very important when it comes to understanding electrical.

Since the sub is in the same building as the main, a main breaker is NOT required in the subpanel. The code which requires a main breaker if there is more than 6 breaker handles applies to subpanels in detached structures where the main service panel is in another building.

The ground rods arent required either as the main is in the same building. However, it wont hurt to put them in.

 

[justsam]

As stated the other ground rods are not required. If you do put them in, or any additional ones, they should all be bonded together.

 

[gt1guy]

reqding comprehension is very important when it comes to understanding electrical.

Since the sub is in the same building as the main, a main breaker is NOT required in the subpanel. The code which requires a main breaker if there is more than 6 breaker handles applies to subpanels in detached structures where the main service panel is in another building.

The ground rods arent required either as the main is in the same building. However, it wont hurt to put them in.

Understood. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

You can buy a main breaker for that panel that goes in place of the main lug connections.,Those panels are convertable between main breaker/main lug.