Ground bonding remote panel question

[ixlr8]

I had an electrician give me an estimate last week to run power out to my shop. He said something that confused me, not that hard to do actually. He said if the panel in my shop had a main breaker in it, the ground had to be tied to neutral. He said if the panel didn't have a main breaker, then the ground and the neutral had to be isolated. This seems contrary to everything I have read, I asked him 3 times to make sure I understood him.
Could you please clarify the correct way for bonding ground/neutrals in a remote panel. Does the presence, or lack of, a main breaker affect the ground/neutral bonding? I have a QO panel with a main breaker already mounted in the shop... I just want to make sure it is wired properly.
Thank you

 

[dw1]

That is a sub panel, you need 4 wires to feed it and seperate the neutrals and ground, here is a good picture of it.


This picture covers all your questions, main breaker included (It does need one)

 

[Mustang51js]

Only way the ground and neutral would be bonded is if it's a separate service with it's own meter,if it comes off your house service then it's a sub panel and should be wired as one,if it's detached it would need a main breaker as a disconnect but still wired as a sub

 

[Aceman]

Call another electrician, this one clearly doesn't understand the fundamentals.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I had an electrician give me an estimate last week to run power out to my shop. He said something that confused me, not that hard to do actually. He said if the panel in my shop had a main breaker in it, the ground had to be tied to neutral. He said if the panel didn't have a main breaker, then the ground and the neutral had to be isolated. This seems contrary to everything I have read, I asked him 3 times to make sure I understood him.
Could you please clarify the correct way for bonding ground/neutrals in a remote panel. Does the presence, or lack of, a main breaker affect the ground/neutral bonding? I have a QO panel with a main breaker already mounted in the shop... I just want to make sure it is wired properly.
Thank you

What the hell? Is this guy licensed?

Regardless, hes COMPLETELY wrong. The presence of a main breaker has NOTHING to do with whether or not bonding of the neutral is required. I cant believe someone is even telling u this.

Bonding a neutral in a subpanel was allowed up until 2008 NEC code cycle. Bonding a neutral before then was allowed in detached structures UNLESS there was parrallel metalic pathways. Having a bonded neutral with parrallel metalic pathways can be dangerous.

Now, a 4-wire feeder, with isolated neutral bar in the subpanel, is required, again regardless of the presence of a main breaker. DW1 gave u the usual diagram we use on here. Dont forget 2 ground rods.

IMO get a different electrician. This guy doesnt know what hes talking about!

Only way the ground and neutral would be bonded is if it's a separate service with it's own meter,if it comes off your house service then it's a sub panel and should be wired as one,if it's detached it would need a main breaker as a disconnect if there's more than 6 breaker handles, but still wired as a sub

Fixed it for ya...

 

[justsam]

I had an electrician give me an estimate last week to run power out to my shop. He said something that confused me, not that hard to do actually. He said if the panel in my shop had a main breaker in it, the ground had to be tied to neutral. He said if the panel didn't have a main breaker, then the ground and the neutral had to be isolated. This seems contrary to everything I have read, I asked him 3 times to make sure I understood him.
Could you please clarify the correct way for bonding ground/neutrals in a remote panel. Does the presence, or lack of, a main breaker affect the ground/neutral bonding? I have a QO panel with a main breaker already mounted in the shop... I just want to make sure it is wired properly.
Thank you

Presence or absence of main at sub has nothing to do with it.

Neutral and EGC are to be isolated.

Six breaker handles or less, no main required.

 

[ixlr8]

Thank you all for your quick replies. I thought he was wrong, that is why I asked him 3 times to make sure I understood what he was telling me. Yes he is licensed, he claims to keep up with the latest code, "unlike some of the older electricians" as he put it, he just lost the job. Thank you.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Main breaker not needed IF the panel will have 6 or less breaker handles in it. If you ever go over six, then you need a disconnect outside or inside the building. It can be a main in the panel (usually the cheapest way) but it also can be separate. I prefer one on the outside of the building, and depending on how far away the panel is, on at the panel also.

Charles