Denray Posted April 26, 2014 Report Posted April 26, 2014 Main panel is 300 feet up the road. 3 wire going down to house. 2005 build. Should be 4 wire, right? Click to Enlarge 44.35 KB Sub at house appears to have floating neutrals with one tiny 12gage going to the equipment grounds. Click to Enlarge 46.17 KB Click to Enlarge 232.1 KB Would that 3 wire feed be OK if the neutrals were properly bonded to the panel? Click to Enlarge 107.76 KB Click to Enlarge 308.53 KB Click to Enlarge 213.54 KB Click to Enlarge 246.54 KB
Denray Posted April 26, 2014 Author Report Posted April 26, 2014 Perhaps those pics were too close. Click to Enlarge 51.84 KB Click to Enlarge 44.22 KB Click to Enlarge 54.81 KB Click to Enlarge 53.71 KB Click to Enlarge 46.97 KB Click to Enlarge 52.78 KB
John Kogel Posted April 27, 2014 Report Posted April 27, 2014 What Jim said. Neutral must not be bonded in that sub panel, only up at the main panel. That one neutral on the grounding bus is in the main panel, right? It wouldn't work in the subpanel with a 3-wire feed. They forgot the cable clamp, too. Amateurs. [:-party]
Denray Posted April 27, 2014 Author Report Posted April 27, 2014 I get weak knees sometimes when I see this too, so it's nice to be double sure. Thanks all. Click to Enlarge 42.36 KB
Jim Katen Posted April 27, 2014 Report Posted April 27, 2014 While it's certainly incorrect, I'm not sure that it would be worth fixing at this point. Particularly if there was a good grounding electrode system around the house.
Jack Davenport Posted April 27, 2014 Report Posted April 27, 2014 WHOA there folks - before everyone gets their panties in a wad, and before we create a mob to hang that electrical inspector, lets get ALL the facts !!! It could very well have been perfectly legal ! We NEED to know if there are any metallic paths between the 2 panels ? I ask because in the 2002 & the 2005 it was allowed to run the 3 wire feeder if there was not metallic paths ties that tie the 2 structures together, and there in no GFCI protection of equipment on the supply side of the feeder.
John Kogel Posted April 28, 2014 Report Posted April 28, 2014 There's no visible sign of a grounding conductor in the subpanel, certainly none of sufficient gauge for the size of the feeder. The inspector's tag doesn't mean he allowed all that mess. I think 'Temp' means he approved a temporary installation, that has had additions over the years most likely. Certainly a circuit or two has been added by an amateur and there is plenty not right with that installation. IMO.
Jim Katen Posted April 28, 2014 Report Posted April 28, 2014 WHOA there folks - before everyone gets their panties in a wad, and before we create a mob to hang that electrical inspector, lets get ALL the facts !!! It could very well have been perfectly legal ! We NEED to know if there are any metallic paths between the 2 panels ? I ask because in the 2002 & the 2005 it was allowed to run the 3 wire feeder if there was not metallic paths ties that tie the 2 structures together, and there in no GFCI protection of equipment on the supply side of the feeder. Agreed.
wirenut1110 Posted April 29, 2014 Report Posted April 29, 2014 Jack is correct and given the inspection date of 2005, I'd say it's perfectly legal.
Denray Posted April 29, 2014 Author Report Posted April 29, 2014 Except the third picture shows the only way I think it is bonded.
John Kogel Posted April 30, 2014 Report Posted April 30, 2014 Stick to your guns, Denny. What they are talking about being 'legal' is a properly installed remote panel with grounding properly provided by a ground rod or two or a Ufer connection.
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