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Topic: Bare neutral for 3 wire range and clothes dryers.

User: nizak

Asked on: Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 9:52 am EDT
Answered on: Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 9:53 am EDT

Question: Terminating 2 existing 3 wire NM cables in a newly installed residential sub panel. One for range one for clothes dryer.I would say they should terminate on the neutral bar and not the equipment ground bar.Is that correct.Thanks

You are correct. In a subpanel, the neutral (white or gray wire) should be connected to the neutral bar, and the equipment grounding conductors (bare copper or green insulated wire) should be connected to the equipment ground bar. These bars must be kept separate in a subpanel.Here's why: Subpanel Separation

In a subpanel, the neutral and ground are kept separate. The neutral bar should be isolated from the subpanel enclosure.


Main Panel Connection

Only in the main service panel are the neutral and ground bonded together. This creates a single point where fault current can return to the source.

Safety

Separating the neutral and ground in a subpanel ensures that fault current returns to the source via the grounding conductor, tripping the breaker and preventing electrical shock. If the neutral and ground were bonded in the subpanel, a fault could potentially energize the metal enclosure of appliances connected to that panel.

Therefore

The white wire (neutral) from the range and dryer cables must terminate on the

neutral bar
in the subpanel. The bare copper wire (equipment ground) from the range and dryer cables must terminate on the equipment ground bar in the subpanel.

Important Considerations



Local Codes

Always check your local electrical codes, as they may have specific requirements.

Qualified Electrician

If you are unsure about any aspect of electrical work, consult with a qualified electrician. Electrical work can be dangerous if not performed correctly.


Torque

Always torque the connections to the manufacturers specification.

In summary, connect the neutrals to the neutral bar and the grounds to the ground bar in your subpanel. This is crucial for safety and proper operation.
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