Combine neutral and ground

[Jr0711]

See pics of panel for my house. This is the only panel. I have 2 ground bars snd 2 neutral bars. Ground bars are top left and right and neutral bars are middle left and right.

The ground bars are hard to get to. If I add additional circuits can I land the neutrals and grounds on the neutral bars ?

I know if a sub panel they are separate .

I read somewhere that the neutral bar would need to be bonded. Are they?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Move some wires out of the way and you can get to the ground bars. Put them back when you are done.

 

[Jr0711]

Thanks. While main breaker in panel will be off I run risk of touching service line. Is that ok as long as it’s only the insulated part? Also can I double up grounds on each ground lug?

 

[sparky 1971]

You can land the grounds on the neutral bar. Your neutral is bonded through that green screw next to the neutral lug. Just make sure it's tight.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Thanks. While main breaker in panel will be off I run risk of touching service line. Is that ok as long as it’s only the insulated part? Also can I double up grounds on each ground lug?

thats your main service panel so you can put grounds on the neutral bar as its bonded (green screw top right corner of bar)

yes you can touch the service entrance wire on the insulated part.

grounds can be doubled up in a lug. Neutrals CANNOT be

 

[AP514]

Grounds can be doubled up in a lug. Neutrals CANNOT be

A Great line for the FAQ sticky..

 

[Jr0711]

Not in panel at moment. Green screw to the right when facing panel? What is it connected to besides the box itself? Also can I tighten that screw with service line still hot ( main would be shut off). Sorry just being cautious. I have added circuits before but always ask when I encounter something new.

 

[sparky 1971]

Not in panel at moment. Green screw to the right when facing panel? What is it connected to besides the box itself? Also can I tighten that screw with service line still hot ( main would be shut off). Sorry just being cautious. I have added circuits before but always ask when I encounter something new.

The bonding screw is visible in all four of your pictures. See the main breaker? Look just to the right of it, where the lug is that the incoming neutral lands. That green screw goes through the lug and into the back of the panel. You can check to make sure the screw is tightened with the service hot

 

[Jr0711]

Thanks for this. If I am looking correctly isn’t here also a space for a bonding screw for the neutral bar that is on the left side of panel as well ? I assume nothing is needed there ?

 

[theoldwizard1]

grounds can be doubled up in a lug. Neutrals CANNOT be

Never understood this rule when the two bars are bonded !

I have done the above after install tandem breakers.

 

[AP514]

Grounds can be doubled up in a lug. Neutrals CANNOT be

Question was this code back in 2003 ?

One of mine has a few doubled up...

 

[Showkey]

Question was this code back in 2003 ?

One of mine has a few doubled up...

Consider some “inspections” are literally a drive by to checking every detail so there’s a huge variable.

 

[jeepxj]

Never understood this rule when the two bars are bonded !

I have done the above after install tandem breakers.

theory:

return path is a safety and not used under load.

N's are used with load and can heat cycle causing them to loosen if they're doubled up.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Never understood this rule when the two bars are bonded!

I have done the above after install tandem breakers.

Has nothing to do with bonding or ground wires.

Has to do with removing doubled-up neutrals when one may still be energized.

the idea is that someone goes to work on 1 circuit and shuts off the corresponding breaker, then goes to remove the neutral only to discover the lug is doubled up with 2 neutrals. removing the neutrals will cause arcing because only one is de-energized.

Question was this code back in 2003 ?

One of mine has a few doubled up...

You have a few doubled up neutrals or grounds?

theory:

return path is a safety and not used under load.

N's are used with load and can heat cycle causing them to loosen if they're doubled up.

has nothing to do with that either. a properly torqued lug will never loosen up.

 

[jeepxj]

oh duh. multi branch into one lug.