Retro Neutral Attachment

[Mike Lamb]

I don't know why the provided main neutral lug was not used. Is this copper retro attachment OK assuming they actually attached the conductor to it?

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[Rob Amaral]

No Mike.. reason:

"This panel was not test-engineered for this type of connection. It is a connection contrary to the panel manufacturer's 'third-party-approved' instructions.. " It is not proven 'safe' under all possible 'electrical circumstances'.

This is another case of 'it works, but.. " Does it 'work' (provide power, work during a surge, ground fault, short-circuit, etc, etc) SAFELY and was it tested and approved for this.. ? Nope.. Does it 'deliver the power to the circuit(s)? Yes.. but not proven to be safe..

I like to tell people "..we could pull the meter out of the meter box, get a pair of jumper cables and 'power a lot of this house'... but 'would that be safe'.. ??? No..

The entire reasoning behind the 'proper' installation of equipment is 'safe control of the electrical system'.. And this is not 'proven to be the case' with this type of makeshift, jerry-rigged connection work..

[Jim Katen]

No Mike.. reason:

"This panel was not test-engineered for this type of connection. It is a connection contrary to the panel manufacturer's 'third-party-approved' instructions.. " It is not proven 'safe' under all possible 'electrical circumstances'.

How do you know that this is the case? While I've never seen that particular lug, similar lugs are made by many panel manufacturers for their panels.