Danny Pritchard Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 I know that neutrals are not allowed to be doubled up at the main panel but does it apply when they are at the main disconnect next to the meter?The picture is at the main disconnect on the exterior.The panel is located in the garage. Thanks, Danny Pritchard Download Attachment: Doubled up neutrals.jpg 91.83 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Moore Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 Danny... If the main disconnect is outside at the meter then that is the main service equipment. Doesn't really matter though. The terminal you show appears to be a regular round hole/screw lug and, unless it is identified in the panel as suitable for more than one non-grounding conductor, it's wrong. I'm also wondering, as this is a main disconnect, how the hot side of those whites and greens are being fed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 I don't quite get it and I know I'm showing my inexperience, but aren't those double tapped neutrals like 16 or 18 gauge? Where do they go from there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Moore Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 Chad... They appear to be solid conductors, so "probably" 14 awg minimum. But, like you, I would like to know what they are doing in this panel in the first place. Danny's post and picture would seem to indicate that this panel contains only the main breaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Pritchard Posted February 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 "They appear to be solid conductors, so "probably" 14 awg minimum. But, like you, I would like to know what they are doing in this panel in the first place. Danny's post and picture would seem to indicate that this panel contains only the main breaker." Richard Moore Rest Assured Inspection Services Seattle, WA Richard, This panel has the main breaker for the house but it also has two other 20 amp breakers that feed two GFI outlets directly below the panel.Those are the wires you are seeing in the picture.Both sets of wires were 12awg. Danny Pritchard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Moore Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Thanks Danny...That 'splains it. Don't get to see many exterior panels on SFR's around here. Must be all the rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denable Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Doug, The attached photo shows part of a panel that was around 25 years old. These were the only two bars for the neutrals and grounds. What if anything would you comment on. Dennis Download Attachment: panel.jpg 60.22 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renron Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Semi off topic: is it allowed to double lug ground wires? Ron FNG (construction talk);~) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonTx Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Yes, as long as they are the same size and material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian G Posted February 29, 2004 Report Share Posted February 29, 2004 Originally posted by denable The attached photo shows part of a panel that was around 25 years old. These were the only two bars for the neutrals and grounds. What if anything would you comment on. Yep, I've run into that too. Flat-out not enough terminals to comply with the rules. I tell clients that the only possible relief I can see is to add equipment ground bars (linked the the neutral bars by a piece of wire, just to be sure) and move all of the equipment grounds over there to make room on the neutral bars. I also tell them to consult a qualified electrician about that and / or other options. I don't think anyone has done it yet, but I don't see why it wouldn't work if done properly. Douglas, any potential pitfalls come to mind? Brian G. Genius / Idiot..You Make the Call Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian G Posted February 29, 2004 Report Share Posted February 29, 2004 Originally posted by hausdok Yes, Grounds doubled in the bus, okay, neutrals doubled in the bus.....NOT! In fact, if I'm not mistaken you can have as many equipment grounds as will fit in a terminal. I've seen 4 or 5 per on occasion. Brian G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renron Posted February 29, 2004 Report Share Posted February 29, 2004 Thanks a lot for the answer(s) about multiple ground wires in the same lug. Sorry for the thread drift.(my bad) Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denable Posted February 29, 2004 Report Share Posted February 29, 2004 Originally posted by Douglas Hansen Dennis - just because I'm the moderator on this forum doesn't mean that every question is directed to me - kind of like the fact that every question about ethics isn't directed to you. At any rate, I liked Brian's answers. Doug, Not to start a thread drift, but I have to correct a misconception. Neither IHINA or myself have the market cornered on ethics. There are a few other things besides ethics that I am trying to etch out. One of those is trying to get home inspectors recognized as professionals on equal footing with others in the real estate transaction process. This means getting compensation in line with the responsibility inspectors take on. This means being able to sustain a buisness without the aid of a middleman. This means getting respect from others involved in the sales transaction. I could go on, but I think you get my message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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