Main Panel used as a sub-panel

[delpi]

I am trying to understand more about grounding and neutrals. I understand that while the ground and the neutral can be connected to the same bus on the main panel, they must be separated at a sub-panel.

My understanding is that this is done to keep neutral current off of the ground wire between the main and sub panels. That makes sense.

Our situation is that we have a meterbase/disconnect on one side of a block wall, and a panel on the other side. They are tied together with 2 inch rigid conduit.

I'm having a tough time understanding why the conduit doesn't, in effect, make the meterbase/service panel one unit and why in this situation the panel is treated as a sub panel.

Part two of my question - The panel is a standard 200 AMP 40 opening Square D QO panel. I've not used one of these before as a sub panel. It appears that I can't separate the neutral and grounding busses so I need to install an additional grounding bus and bond it to the panel.

Am I understanding this correctly?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[infinity]

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[JJWalecka]

Infinity,

God bless you. :lol:

Justin J. Walecka