Adding a equipment ground bar

P

pipe_bender

Senior Member
Location
Boston
Occupation
Electrician
OK grouding guru's
I am working on a old building where the panels don't have equipment ground bars and there are several new circuits with green wire I grouped all these wires under a lug I tapped in the panel with a sheet metal screw. (sloppy I know but I was in a rush)
The inspector noted on rough inspection that I need to add a proper ground bar and noted a bunch of code sections well the note got lost.

The panel-board is no longer made and there is no UL-listed ground bar kit, so am I right that under 250.118 the feeder EMT is a equipment grounding conductor but the panel is not unless I have a UL listed kit for that panel?
I know the mfr provided ground bars have special holes and sometimes a slot.
To make matters worse the original installer used a big concentric K/O and might have broken a extra 'tab'.
My fix;
I have added a generic equipment ground bar to the panel, I tapped two 10/32 holes and removed the paint behind the ground bar as I think code requires this.
I happen to have a grounding 'wedge', like a bond bushing you can add under a locknut, I jumpered a #6 from this wedge to the equipment ground bar.
Will this meet code for an effective ground fault path?
Thanks
 
It is up to your AHJ to approve whatever ground bar you install. It should not have to be from the original panel manufacturer but I am not your AHJ.
 
Makes sense
I think the inspector was treating the equipment grounding conductor for a 'feeder' differently. well lucky me its done now, but it got me wondering for next time.
 
pipe_bender said:
Thanks Jim, as i understand 250.118 a metal cabinet is not a type of 'equipment grounding conductor' but EMT is.
Click to expand...
It is permitted to serve as an EGC, see 250.109 in the newer codes.
pipe_bender said:
I have added a generic equipment ground bar to the panel, I tapped two 10/32 holes and removed the paint behind the ground bar as I think code requires this.
I happen to have a grounding 'wedge', like a bond bushing you can add under a locknut, I jumpered a #6 from this wedge to the equipment ground bar.
Click to expand...
The jumper is probably needed as the thickness of many panel enclosures is too thin to get the required two threads of engagement in a tapped hole.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
It is permitted to serve as an EGC, see 250.109 in the newer codes.

The jumper is probably needed as the thickness of many panel enclosures is too thin to get the required two threads of engagement in a tapped hole.
Click to expand...
OP said the panel was old and not made anymore. In my experience, these old panels are way thicker metal than the new ones.
 
jim dungar said:
It is up to your AHJ to approve whatever ground bar you install. It should not have to be from the original panel manufacturer but I am not your AHJ.
Click to expand...
I never even gave any thought to tapping holes and installing a ground bar in an older panel. As far as removing the paint, I never did that as newer panels with matching ground bars use the threads as the connection; the paint remains below the ground bar itself.

Mark
 
I put ground bars in custom locations in almot every loadcenter (I dont like where they put them). I drill and tap 2 10-32 screws. Sometimes I remove tha paint behind. I understand I t is not technically legit, but I stopped listening to the listing people long ago.
 
Remove the paint first and when in doubt use nuts and bolts to circumvent anyone questioning the two thread engagement.
 
I also have added a bunch of bars. I carry screws but never had anyone say a word about one bolted to a box. I try to send them from neutral at main or run a heavier wire to the extra bar when going panel to panel. Same way most guys do. Those little screws might be ok for branch circuit faults but sure look small
IMG_20260214_170321931.jpg
 
infinity said:
Remove the paint first and when in doubt use nuts and bolts to circumvent anyone questioning the two thread engagement.
Click to expand...
If I ever did really worry about it, I expect I would thru bolt a lug to the side/back of the cabinet with paint removed and attach that wire to the GB. Most of the time when I add a GB, it is a panel with an incoming wire EGC so the screws are just bonding the cabinet.

Mark.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top