Subpanel Install Questions (Ground Bar & Mounting)

[kars85]

I'm running a subpanel under the supervision of my father in law (licensed electrician). I've never run a subpanel before, so I'm taking my time, and asking questions as I go along to whomever will listen!

I've got the subpanel up, but am a bit baffled by the mounting location Eaton put for the ground bar. It's literally on the side of the panel, not on the backplate, so basically once breakers are in you're either using a 90* or stubby flathead to tighten. Now, I don't intend to run any more circuits, so the possibility of this being annoying down the road is small, but I'm wondering if should get a different panel with a more reasonable ground bar mount anyway.

The panel I've currently got: Eaton CH8L125SP

The 12 space model looks a lot better to me:
EATON SCH12L125BP

Lastly, I've currently got the panel secured with two screws into a stud. If I remember right, I believe the code intends for surface mount panels to be secured in all 4 corners, but there aren't corner mounting holes on this 8 space panel. If I keep it, is how I have it mounted satisfactory? Again, the 12 space looks like it is designed better in this area as well.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the ground bar and mounting concerns?

Thanks!
Karson

 

[pattenp]

Drill holes for mounting ground bar below the neutral bar if you like. The two screws mounting the box to a stud is fine as long there is some backing behind the panel to prevent it from wobbling.

Where is this subpanel being installed? Same building as the main service panel?

 

[larry4406]

Based on the part number provided, here is the OP's real panel not the alternate picture provided.

 

[brownbagg]

on a sub panel, you are not going use a ground bar, everything goes back to main box, if you decide to use the ground bus, it got to be isolated from the box and then tied to main box.

 

[pattenp]

on a sub panel, you are not going use a ground bar, everything goes back to main box, if you decide to use the ground bus, it got to be isolated from the box and then tied to main box.

Do what! A subpanel surely does need a ground bar for the grounds of circuits running from the subpanel. The ground bar is bonded to panel, the neutral bar is isolated.

 

[sberry]

The whole point is to have insulated neutrals and the grounds all at the same potential including the enclosure,

 

[matt_i]

The panel that Larry4406 pictured seems to have a neutral bar at upper right based on the insulators from the backplane.

It would need another ground bar "kit" that could be screwed right to the backplane, in order to be a proper subpanel.

I can't see if it has it, the Square D ones do, but a #2 square drive is my favorite tool for tightening screws inside the panel. I have a Wiha with an insulated shaft just for such things.

 

[kars85]

I wasn't sure if modifying the panel, in this case to drill another hole for a self tapping screw, was allowed.

That first hole will be a good start, then drill a second hole and put the ground bar there.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[kars85]

The panel that Larry4406 pictured seems to have a neutral bar at upper right based on the insulators from the backplane.

It would need another ground bar "kit" that could be screwed right to the backplane, in order to be a proper subpanel.

I can't see if it has it, the Square D ones do, but a #2 square drive is my favorite tool for tightening screws inside the panel. I have a Wiha with an insulated shaft just for such things.

The grounding bar holes on the panel are on the left side panel, not on the backplane. Pretty poor location IMO! In my first pic, it shows it better with the ground bar installed.



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[Norcal]

They (C-H/ Eaton) used to mount them horizontally below the panel interior.

 

[62special]

I used a 12 space Eaton subpanel in my attached garage. Ran 2/2/2/4 Al SER from main to sub. Attached two ground bars. One left and one right, joined by short section of #4 wire.

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[wyliesdiesels]

on a sub panel, you are not going use a ground bar, everything goes back to main box, if you decide to use the ground bus, it got to be isolated from the box and then tied to main box.

Say what?

That is incorrect

A ground bar in a subpanel is most definitely needed AND required by code.

Also, it should NOT be isolated but instead bonded to the panel enclosure.

The neutral bar is the one that should be isolated.

All new subpanles should be 4-wire.

The info youre giving here is dangerous.

Where did you get this info?