Bonding Neutral in sub panel confirmation

[dyermullet]

Had an inspection, I noticed the extension cord before even made an offer on the house.
I potentially will have a propane story after tomorrow's propane service change over, I havn't had time to investigate but all the appliances have GIANT flames out of their burners.
My goal with this house is to see how long I can go without going into the attic, I don't think I am going to make it very long.

 

[dyermullet]

Still seems like your disconnect panel would have (should have) become the main panel.

Now with 2 meters in the story, the plot thickens.

Two meters, two structures. Second meter is not involved.

 

[mm08822]

Two meters, two structures. Second meter is not involved.

Ok, then possibly useless info.

See if the second service has the same neutral problem. (Would further prove a POCO problem.)

 

[dyermullet]

Ok, then possibly useless info.

See if the second service has the same neutral problem. (Would further prove a POCO problem.)

I intend to, I have spent even less time in that structure than I have the main house. Maybe this weekend , hopefully this is resolved well before then.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Turned off most loads in the house voltage was balanced h to n to h. Turn on hair dryer. One phase to N drops to 117vac. Other phase went up to 131vac hot to n. Measured at main breaker and sub panel had same voltages. Will contact power company tomorrow morning.

Left the hair dryer out the window plugged into an extension cord incase they want to test and no one here.

Wiring between the main panel and sub panel is not correct. Will post details later for advice on how to correct.

Thanks again for all the help and giving me refresher to on how to approach this.

So youve got a neutral issue and the voltage is a little high

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Last night I found I had some of the details wrong on what I posted above, I was going off of memory from inspection 6 weeks ago the property has 2 meters and three panels and the details got fuzzy. I believe what I called the main panel started life as a disconnect, and the subpanel with the bonded neutral was actually the main panel (this is also where the driven ground is connected). At some point the PO added the three branch circuits into the disconnect panel at that point in my mind it technically became the main panel and the old main became a sub. I pulled all the branch circuits out of the disconnect panel. The current state is the disconnect panel has a 200 amp breaker from the meter feed, at the bottom of its bus has lugs where the power then leaves that panel and lands on the breaker in the main panel.

I will post an update with a resolution of the neutral when I have the details. Because I started this post with some incorrect details, I will create a new one later. I have some questions on best way to accomplish some changes, want to update to the modern dual ground rods, maybe replace this disconnect panel, add a proper generator plug in, etc.

Thanks again to everyone for their help.

Did you have a home inspection? They are usually big on writing up electrical things - if so I'm surprised they didn't flag the extension cord connection. In my experience they are sometimes overly aggressive flagging things that are allowed like double taps on breakers that may be rated for such or splices in the breaker panel. I have mixed feelings about the need for inspections - in my case I am pretty familiar with construction but having an inspector flag something carries more weight when negotiating to get things fixed. And they might catch something I overlooked. Sounds like you are on your way to getting it cleaned up and not too difficult to resolve things.

he did.

see above

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Last night I found I had some of the details wrong on what I posted above, I was going off of memory from inspection 6 weeks ago the property has 2 meters and three panels and the details got fuzzy. I believe what I called the main panel started life as a disconnect, and the subpanel with the bonded neutral was actually the main panel (this is also where the driven ground is connected).

This would be incorrect. the first disco on a service would be the main. the neutral bond should be done there.

what youre calling the subpanel shouldve always had an isolated neutral

At some point the PO added the three branch circuits into the disconnect panel at that point in my mind it technically became the main panel and the old main became a sub.

nope. the "old main" shouldve been a subpanel regardless of adding branch cicuits in the disco.

I pulled all the branch circuits out of the disconnect panel. The current state is the disconnect panel has a 200 amp breaker from the meter feed, at the bottom of its bus has lugs where the power then leaves that panel and lands on the breaker in the main panel.

I will post an update with a resolution of the neutral when I have the details. Because I started this post with some incorrect details, I will create a new one later. I have some questions on best way to accomplish some changes, want to update to the modern dual ground rods, maybe replace this disconnect panel, add a proper generator plug in, etc.

Thanks again to everyone for their help.

The subpanel in the house needs a 4-wire feeder and isolated neutral.

 

[dyermullet]

Wife reported back power company repaired neutral "on the pole". They also ended up looking at neighbors house.

Last night the "balanced" voltage was 122VAC and 123VAC phase to N.

I'll check it again tonight and report back the voltage, with a functional neutral.

Thanks again for all the help.
I'll start a new post later, for advice on best path for future. After pulling the 3 brand circuits out last night, it is in what I would consider a "safe" condition until have money for corrections.

 

[dyermullet]

This would be incorrect. the first disco on a service would be the main. the neutral bond should be done there.

what youre calling the subpanel shouldve always had an isolated neutral



nope. the "old main" shouldve been a subpanel regardless of adding branch cicuits in the disco.



The subpanel in the house needs a 4-wire feeder and isolated neutral.

Totally agree. Will address all of this, this fall. In the new existing configuration, all the first panel is doing is a disconnect, all loads have been removed.

 

[BurtEggley]

I'll take "Former owners who don't know electricians, for $850 please."