Grounding Panel

[Bill7467]

Just ran into a house that is not grounded properly.
The meter base is located on one end of the house and has a ground rod connected.
The original owner ran a 3 wire SE cable that is now unaccessable. (No EG)
Inside panel is located on the other end of the house with no grounding lugs. Only neutral bar where owner connected both feeder grounds and neutrals to it. The is no bond screw.
In order to correct should I install additional ground rod and grounding lugs and connect the two, then separate the feed neutral from EG. Or must I run a #4 bare ground around perimeter of house and connect to existing ground rod?

 

[brantmacga]

Just ran into a house that is not grounded properly.
The meter base is located on one end of the house and has a ground rod connected.
The original owner ran a 3 wire SE cable that is now unaccessable. (No EG)
Inside panel is located on the other end of the house with no grounding lugs. Only neutral bar where owner connected both feeder grounds and neutrals to it. The is no bond screw.
In order to correct should I install additional ground rod and grounding lugs and connect the two, then separate the feed neutral from EG. Or must I run a #4 bare ground around perimeter of house and connect to existing ground rod?

It may have been okay during the code cycle the house was constructed under.

Why do you want to change it?

 

[Bill7467]

reason

reason

House was built in 2002, Owner wired, has died .... asked to check and correct problems. In old days a 3 wire system required that the neutral and ground be bonded in and to panel, but this system is not bonded to panel case. The owner even left off connecting ground to switches and recepticals. These I have been able to correct. Code now requires that EG and neutral only be bonded at Meter disconnect and a separate EG ran from disconnect to grounding lug which is bonded to case. Neutral would float.
Just trying to keep house as safe as possible.

 

[infinity]

Where are the conductors between the meter and the panel run? If they're on the outside of the building the only thing that may be missing is the bonding screw between the neutral and the can at the panel.

 

[stickboy1375]

Where are the conductors between the meter and the panel run? If they're on the outside of the building the only thing that may be missing is the bonding screw between the neutral and the can at the panel.

I was thinking the same thing... and if they are run inside then most likely a violation of 230.70 (A)(1)


1 question, is there a disconnect at the meter? This kind of stuff is kind of important in order to understand your problem.

 

[iwire]

I am under the impression there is a service disconnecting means at the meter base.

Code now requires that EG and neutral only be bonded at Meter disconnect

 

[stickboy1375]

I am under the impression there is a service disconnecting means at the meter base.

Me too after re-reading that post. Looks like that install is a done deal.... thank god we have inspections and DIY's

 

[infinity]

I am under the impression there is a service disconnecting means at the meter base.

That's true but I didn't see any mention of that in the OP so I didn't assume.

 

[wbalsam1]

.....The original owner ran a 3 wire SE cable that is now unaccessable. (No EG).......

If this cable has been covered over, it is violation and must be either put on the outside of the building(exposed) or put a main next to the meter and run 4-wire to remote panelboard and float neutral and bond equipment ground bar to the panel enclosure.:smile:

 

[Bill7467]

reply to qustions

reply to qustions

A 3 wire SE cable is ran inside between lower ceiling and upper floor.
There is no outside disconnect at meter. Yes it is a violation of 230.70 in my opinion. Installation is outside city jurisdiction and there is no county inspector. The only disconnect is in service panel. I am guessing that by installing the additional ground rod their intention was to bond EG to earth ground forgetting that there was no path for ground fault to get back to utility. Infact they only bonded outlets and panel to IG. My thoughts on the lowest cost and safest solution is to install safty disconnect at meter. Leave the 3 wire SE cable as is and bond the Neutral and ground in panel. This would allow a return path, maybe not the shortest but close.

 

[Buck Parrish]

Your ground and neutral have to be isolated from each other after they leave the first disconnect.
The neutral has to be insulated.

 

[infinity]

The service entrance conductors must remain on the outside of the house and not between the ceiling and floor. To correct that issue you have to reinstall the three wire SE cable solely on the outside or you need to set a disconnect next to the meter and run 4 conductor SE cable to the panel.