Interesting find today

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ivsenroute

ivsenroute

Senior Member
Location
Florida
I inspected a residential 200amp main electrical panel with a 200a breaker as the disconnect fed directly from the meter.

The electricial separated all of the neutrals and equipment grounds to separate terminal bars. BUT, what he did was to place a bonding strap from the neutral bar to the panel and did not use one for the equipment grounds.

This made the equipment grounds and grounding electrode conductor isolated from the main panel.

It was as though he was setting up as a sub-panel and put the bonding jumper on the wrong terminal bar.

As a result, I failed the installation.

However, I have a question for everyone. If he moved the bonding strap/jumper from the neutral bar to the equipment ground terminal bar and set it up like a sub-panel would that be acceptable since it really is a main panel?

I am asking this to see if it is required to bond the neutral to the panel at the main panel/disconnect? The panel is fed from the meter base by 4/0 al SE cable.

Thoughts?
 
how many wires were coming from the service to the panel (3 or 4)? was the grounding bar insulated from the can? was there a bonding screw installed possibly?
 
was the ground bar that had the equip. grounds on it bonded to the can? .ie it wan't raised off of the can w/ the plastic seperators.

I'm thinking if the equip. g-bar is bonded to the can, and the neu. is bonded to the can, and the GEC is bonded to the can.... everything okay? though a poor way to do it.
 
every panel I have seen has only one bar that is insulated from the can and that is the neutral bar. If that is what had the bonding jumper then his installation was in compliance. When a panel does have 2 bars on opposite sides of the panel they are connected together.
 
AHHHHHHHHH brainfart today.

I made a mistake. I just reviewed the photos and as expected, the bars are connected behind the plastic covering. The black plastic hid bonding strap from the bar on one side to the other.

This is the 2nd time I did this.

I have a phone call to make in the morning.

I am in too many panels.

My mistake.
 
ivsenroute said:
AHHHHHHHHH brainfart today.

I made a mistake. I just reviewed the photos and as expected, the bars are connected behind the plastic covering. The black plastic hid bonding strap from the bar on one side to the other.

This is the 2nd time I did this.

I have a phone call to make in the morning.

I am in too many panels.

My mistake.
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Wish all inspectors had the guts to admit they were wrong.
 
Hey, when you are wrong, you are wrong and need to own up to it.

None of us are perfect and all of us will make mistakes from time to time.

Master electrician will make mistakes and so will code inspectors, even those with 25 years of experience.

I checked on a price for a ticket to Perfect World but could not afford it. I don't think anyone else can either.

The last mistake I made a couple of months ago turned out to be for the better. I told someone they needed a 20amp circuit with GFCI outlet in a commercial bathroom which is incorrect. After they ran the circuit I just kept my mouth shut because they showed me a new point of use hot water heater they were installing under the cabinet that was rated 12.2 amps so instead of having to run a new circuit, they were able to use the one they already ran. No harm done
 
ivsenroute said:
Hey, when you are wrong, you are wrong and need to own up to it.

None of us are perfect and all of us will make mistakes from time to time.

Master electrician will make mistakes and so will code inspectors, even those with 25 years of experience.

I checked on a price for a ticket to Perfect World but could not afford it. I don't think anyone else can either.

The last mistake I made a couple of months ago turned out to be for the better. I told someone they needed a 20amp circuit with GFCI outlet in a commercial bathroom which is incorrect. After they ran the circuit I just kept my mouth shut because they showed me a new point of use hot water heater they were installing under the cabinet that was rated 12.2 amps so instead of having to run a new circuit, they were able to use the one they already ran. No harm done
Click to expand...


That's funny, I agree with Jim it takes alot of integrity to say "I made a mistake" many times people will just not do it and go on as if they were right.
Good Job. You get a gold star.
 
Interesting find today

I agree with everyone
Your a good man
Its amazing how when we say things out loud or share with someone else it all makes itself clear
I have to say that most inspectors here in the city and county are the same as you
Most have been contractors and know how it is
At the same time they don't let anything get by
Also if you have a question they let you call there cell and they will help you
Hat's off to you and all inspectors in the Asheville area
Semper Fi Buddy
 
crud , i make mistakes all the time.
i just try not to make the same one twice


o-k three times...:smile:
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
Wish all inspectors had the guts to admit they were wrong.
Click to expand...

I agree Jim, just the other day I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken!:grin:

But seriously folks,everybody makes mistakes. When I do, yes it's embarassing but I own up to it (red-faced and all) and go on with my life. It's best to own up to being wrong because maybe it'll help to be not wrong in the same situation the next time.(I think that's called learning)?
 
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