Garage service

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Barndog

Senior Member
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Spring Creek Pa
I have a single phase 4 wire sub feed run out to my garage. while having my septic pumped out the neutral wire was cut. I was wondering if is a violation to remove the neutral on both sides and move ground wire to neutral buss. I have a ground rod connected to panel. I don't know if that's ok to do. Is there any other options I have rather than digging back up and repairing the wire. thanks I don't have a code book on me to reference and do mostly maintenance electrical work.
 
Barndog said:
I have a single phase 4 wire sub feed run out to my garage. while having my septic pumped out the neutral wire was cut. I was wondering if is a violation to remove the neutral on both sides and move ground wire to neutral buss. I have a ground rod connected to panel. I don't know if that's ok to do. Is there any other options I have rather than digging back up and repairing the wire. thanks I don't have a code book on me to reference and do mostly maintenance electrical work.
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Can you repair the damaged part, or did he hook on to it and pull it for 150'?
 
not sure I will have to dig up spot is should still be in area. it didn't get pulled just looking for easier options. don't use garage power a lot just nice to have. Also have considered converting to single phase. Just wondering if I have options
 
Yes certain neutral is disconnected have no continuity from the neutral wire to ground wire at panel and as soon as I put a load on breaker voltage drops to zero.
 
You cannot run the feeder without an EGC under the current code, even though you have a ground rod at the garage too.
Only POCO service wiring is allowed to use neutral only.

Tapatalk!
 
Barndog said:
I have a single phase 4 wire sub feed run out to my garage.
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Barndog said:
ok thank you I didn't think it was legal but wasn't sure. Guess I have some digging ahead of me. Thanks again
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Do you have any line to line loads ? Welder ? Air compressor ? If you don't you could move one of the hots to neutral.

You are lucky the septic guy just snagged one wire. This is a good example where the benefits of conduit shine.
 
If you are looking to do this by the book then you probably only have two options, one, repair the broken conductor or two, run a new feeder. You didn't say what size conductors you have but unless they're larger than #6 you cannot re-identify an ungrounded conductor as a neutral.
 
I would dig it up. I've done quite a few underground repairs and it's not very often that only one wire gets damaged. They may have only cut one in half, but the other conductors could be skinned as well but still showing continuity. It's best to dig it up and take a look. I like to use crimped buttsplices and adhesive lined heatshrink for my underground repairs.

If you have a megger you can verify your repairs when you're finished.
 
Everyone has to do digging at some point in their life.
Serve your sentence and dig it up! :thumbsup:
 
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