Ground cable and source neutral shared termination

[800CM]

May the ground cable share termination in
the neutral source lug? System is 35 years
old. "240"V, 400A main switch. 500CM cables
all legs including neutral.

At this time, 1/0 ground cable is only
bonded to main switch cabinet and ridget
conduit grounding bushings.

May the 1/0 ground cable be terminated
with the 500CM neutral in the same pressure
screw lug. There is adequate room for both.

Doing so would eliminate the addition of
another pressure screw lug on the existing
neutral lug to neutral buss's 3/8" bolt.

I figured that since it would all be on the
same buss, no matter how attached, using
the existing lug would be much neater.

Thanks and appreciation,

800CM

I am new to this forum. Found it a bit
over a month ago and could not put "this
good book" down the first few days. Thanks
for sharing by asking and answering questions.

I receive NEC Direct and ECM. Electrical work
still holds an exciting place in my life.

When I started electrical work after WW2
(shy me was a WW2 Army Tank Commander/Squad
Leader at age 18), The NEC fitted into my
shirt pocket and I essentially had it
memorized (except for the tables).

The new products over the years and
increased safety code changes and
understanding are still exciting even
though I am not fully active.

I am absorbing the subject of grounding
and bonding...
extremely interesting, exciting and fun.

I am over using "exciting" but I am just
like a kid when learning.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Ground cable and source neutral shared termination

May the 1/0 ground cable be terminated with the 500CM neutral in the same pressure screw lug.

Only if listed for such use. See 110.14(A)

[ October 13, 2005, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: don_resqcapt19 ]

 

[800CM]

Re: Ground cable and source neutral shared termination

Thanks Don. I expect that the 500CM lug
is not listed for the use in question in
this 35 year old installation? How would
I find out for sure?

I was thinking that an active electrician
or inspector could answer whether or
not terminating both the ground and
neutral in the same pressure scew lug
is ever done.

I will try to find 110.14(A) online since I
do not have a copy of the NEC.

Am I thinking correctly that the 1/0 ground
cable should be terminated on the netural
buss of this 400A main switch?

I could ask an active electrician some of
these questions until I catch up on bonding
and grounding. However, inactive as I am, I
see code errors by electricians. I like to
comply 100% with the code. I also was an
aircraft electrician for many years,
working unsupervised and strove for perfection.

Thanks again, I'll try not to wear out my
welcome.

800M

 

[800CM]

Re: Ground cable and source neutral shared termination

Hi Don, back again.

Rather than wonder about this matter,
I will go ahead and attach a seperate
pressure screw type lug for the 1/0
ground cable, using the same 3/8" bolt
fasting the 500CM neutral lug.

If you can please verify that it is proper
to bond the ground to the neutral on this
400A single phase main switch.

Thanks and appreciation,

80CM