Main panel

[Mike in Ohio]

Young relative just bought his first house, built and wired in 1928. The inspection report listed a number of issues, most of which are obvious. Things like 2 wires in a breaker or ground/neutral point. The one I want to ask about is the grounds and neutral are not isolated, in the pic they are next to each other on the side. It has been 25 years since I wired a house from scratch. If I remember right the grounds went on 1 side and the neutrals on the other, that one being connected to the incoming neutral. The ground side is attached to ground rod outside. The metal bar connecting the 2 being taken out. Is my memory, right? and is it still the right way to do it?

Another question should the water and gas lines be attached to the ground rods?

I don't think I am going to tackle this mess, but I am curious and want him to be able understand what whoever he hires is talking about.

 

[PCustoms]

Young relative just bought his first house, built and wired in 1928. The inspection report listed a number of issues, most of which are obvious. Things like 2 wires in a breaker or ground/neutral point.

Some breakers are rated for 2 wires

Most ground bars are rated for 2. Typically neutral is only 1 per.

The one I want to ask about is the grounds and neutral are not isolated, in the pic they are next to each other on the side.

Assuming this is a main panel that is not an issue, as the ground and neutral are bonded

Another question should the water and gas lines be attached to the ground rods?

I'm only 99% on this one, but yes if they are metal

 

[Mike in Ohio]

So in the main panel they can be in the same strip, in a subpanel they need to be separated?

 

[PCustoms]

So in the main panel they can be in the same strip, in a subpanel they need to be separated?

Yes

Neutral and ground cannot be bonded past the first point of disconnect

 

[wyliesdiesels]

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Young relative just bought his first house, built and wired in 1928. The inspection report listed a number of issues, most of which are obvious. Things like 2 wires in a breaker

some are rated for 2.... check the listing

or ground/neutral point.

what about it?

The one I want to ask about is the grounds and neutral are not isolated, in the pic they are next to each other on the side. It has been 25 years since I wired a house from scratch. If I remember right the grounds went on 1 side and the neutrals on the other, that one being connected to the incoming neutral.

neutral and ground is not supposed to be isolated in the main service panel.

the layout all depends on the panel model but i prefer neutral and ground bars on both sides.

The ground side is attached to ground rod outside. The metal bar connecting the 2 being taken out. Is my memory, right? and is it still the right way to do it?

your memory is based on a specific panel model but that doesnt work for every panel.

ground rods could go to the neutral bar in the main panel

Another question should the water and gas lines be attached to the ground rods?

they should be connected to the ground or neutral bar in the main service panel not the rods.

I don't think I am going to tackle this mess, but I am curious and want him to be able understand what whoever he hires is talking about.

why not? sounds easy....

 

[Mike in Ohio]

Thanks guys, I am really rusty on this stuff. On a subpanel the grounds and neutrals must be separated right? So do you hook the neutrals back to the main panel and the grounds straight to the ground rods?

Can't get the pics to load on my computer.

 

[mike93lx]

Thanks guys, I am really rusty on this stuff. On a subpanel the grounds and neutrals must be separated right? So do you hook the neutrals back to the main panel and the grounds straight to the ground rods?

Can't get the pics to load on my computer.

Since 2008, subpanels required a 4 wire feeder with a ground going back to the main.

The bars are separated and the neutral bar has to be isolated from the cabinet, as well

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Thanks guys, I am really rusty on this stuff. On a subpanel the grounds and neutrals must be separated right?

correct. and the neutral bar needs to be isolated/unbonded. meaning separate bars for neutrals and grounds. GEC from rods goes to ground bar.

So do you hook the neutrals back to the main panel and the grounds straight to the ground rods?

Can't get the pics to load on my computer.

you run a 4-wire feeder back to the main. grounding electrodes connect to ground bar in sub. neutral and ground feeder connect to either the neutral bar in the main or neutral and ground bars in the main.... no the ground wires dont go straight to rods. dont do that as it will prevent your equipment grounding conductors from being able to allow the breakers to clear faults. grounding electrodes are a different animal...

for more info you can checkout the diagrams on the electrical FAQ sticky

Electrical FAQs

Welcome All I have started this sticky as an FAQ thread for info on the basics that are encountered countless times every week on here. Hopefully this will help some. If u have a topic request, go ahead and post it. And if you have an FAQ you would like covered let me know.... Or if you...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Mike in Ohio]

Thanks again guys, that faq thread looks pretty good I will spend some time there