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where should the grounds connect?

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[#1] Posted: 05/26/2011 - 6:07:59 PM
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This is a subpanel in a 1966 house. Neutrals are on buss bars. All of the available bars are tied together we can't just add grounds to bars the neutrals are on.

Grounds are connected at a variety of places including under one of four screws holding the buss/breaker assembly to the panel box. Another example is a bunch of wires twisted together that are too short to reach a connection point so another wire is twisted to them and placed under a screw.

Is the proper ground wire attachment point the lugs on either side of the box? Just stuff a bunch of wires under the lug and snug?



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where should the grounds connect?
[#2] Posted: 05/26/2011 - 6:17:34 PM
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Quote: Originally posted by CheckItOut

This is a subpanel in a 1966 house. Neutrals are on buss bars. All of the available bars are tied together we can't just add grounds to bars the neutrals are on.

Grounds are connected at a variety of places including under one of four screws holding the buss/breaker assembly to the panel box. Another example is a bunch of wires twisted together that are too short to reach a connection point so another wire is twisted to them and placed under a screw.

Is the proper ground wire attachment point the lugs on either side of the box? Just stuff a bunch of wires under the lug and snug?



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No. The proper attachement point would be an accessory grounding terminal kit.


Jim Katen, Oregon
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where should the grounds connect?
[#3] Posted: 05/27/2011 - 11:05:11 AM
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What Jim said. Here's a couple of pics. The Cutler Hammer bus bar shown here allows the grounding wires to be spread out, two to a hole, but I see older Square D's that tell the sparky to twist them together and jam them into a big lug. That was then, this is now.

I suppose it depends on the panel brand and the vintage, but the best fix of course is the long bus bar with plenty of connectors.

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BTW, those feeders from the main panel are kinked, so I would have the electrician check them too. There's a max bending radius for those conductors.

www.allsafehome.ca
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where should the grounds connect?
[#4] Posted: 05/27/2011 - 12:56:14 PM
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Thanks guys.
Clear Choice Home Inspections, Inc
Clayton, NC
www.myNCinspector.com
   
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