Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: VIC1958, Location: New Jersey
Asked on: Monday, April 4, 2011 at 5:47 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 3:45 am EDT
Question: Second time in 3 months, am I missing something? 200 amp main panel with disconnect, appears to have a split neutral bar ( one on each side of the breakers joined by a jumper bar). All the conductors are romex. All the neutrals are on one neutral bus bar, all the grounds are on the other neutarl bus bar. The bus bar with all the neutrals is bonded to the can, the bus is also connected to main feeder neutral. The bus bar with all the gounds is connected to the ground wire that goes to the water service, this bus bar is not bonded to the can. Problem....the electrician removed the jumper bar that would connect the two bus bars together. I was under the impression that the grounds and neutral where suppose to be isolated from each other only if this panel was a sub-panel. Is this right or wrong........referance to the code?Thanks
You are correct. The neutral and ground bars should be bonded together at the main panel unless it is a sub-panel. This is required by the National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 250.24.
Reason for the Bonding
To maintain a common reference point for the electrical system. To prevent electrical currents from flowing through the grounding system, which could create a shock hazard.* To ensure proper grounding and protection against electrical faults.
Code Reference
NEC Article 250.24(A)(5) states that:"In dwelling units, the grounding electrode conductor or grounding electrode system shall be connected to the grounded service conductor at the service disconnecting means."Exception
NEC Article 250.24(A)(5) Exception No. 4 states that:"Where supply conductors enter a building at different locations, it shall be permissible to connect the grounding electrode conductor or grounding electrode system to the grounded service conductor at any one of the service disconnecting means, provided a jumper connects the grounding electrode conductor to the grounded service conductor or the grounding electrode system at the other service disconnecting means."In your case:
Since there is only one service disconnecting means and the neutral and ground buses are not connected, the jumper bar must be installed to ensure proper grounding and safety. Flag for review