Neutral Bar

[Jimmy7]

I need to add some circuits to this old Square D QO panel. The neutral bar is already pretty full with a lot of neutrals doubled up. Should I just add a ground bar and move some of the grounds to the new ground bar?

 

[hillbilly1]

That would be the easiest, or double up some grounds under a wire nut to reduce the number of grounds on the bar.

 

[roger]

Where's the MBJ?

 

[tthh]

Never understood why a panel was not required to come with as many ground and neutral screws as the panel maximum configuration allows.

 

[jim dungar]

Never understood why a panel was not required to come with as many ground and neutral screws as the panel maximum configuration allows.

What configuration, all 2 pole MWBC? How about all 1 pole branches with EMT used as the ground?

 

[tthh]

The maximum configuration - no MWBC and all the tandem's the panel allows.

 

[Eddie702]

Never liked the panels (Murray was one) with 1 NB behind the other. The back bar is harder to see so most fill the front bar first. Then when the front bar is full its really hard to see in the back

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

I need to add some circuits to this old Square D QO panel. The neutral bar is already pretty full with a lot of neutrals doubled up. Should I just add a ground bar and move some of the grounds to the new ground bar?

View attachment 2580713

That would be a good start.

 

[augie47]

Don't ignore Post #3

 

[jim dungar]

Where's the MBJ?

I believe it is the silver colored Phillips head screw in line with the neutral point 4 up from the bottom.

 

[Little Bill]

I believe it is the silver colored Phillips head screw in line with the neutral point 4 up from the bottom.

I don't believe that is it. There is another phillips screw at the top. I think they are just holding the assembly.

 

[Jimmy7]

Where's the MBJ?

I was wondering about that. I was wondering if it was missing the green screw to the neutral. That’s what you’re referring to, correct?
Did old Square D QO panels use a green screw, or was it some other method?

 

[Greentagger]

Copper and aluminum in same triple and quadruple lug.

 

[hbiss]

Take all your #14 and #12 grounds off, twist a bunch of them together and pigtail each bunch with a big wire nut or split bolt to the ground/ neutral bar with a single #12. Keep going until you've done all your grounds. Don't leave it that way. That should free up probably half the spots.

-Hal

 

[roger]

I was wondering about that. I was wondering if it was missing the green screw to the neutral. That’s what you’re referring to, correct?
Did old Square D QO panels use a green screw, or was it some other method?

Correct.

 

[Jimmy7]

Take all your #14 and #12 grounds off, twist a bunch of them together and pigtail each bunch with a big wire nut or split bolt to the ground/ neutral bar with a single #12. Keep going until you've done all your grounds. Don't leave it that way. That should free up probably half the spots.

-Hal

You said “Don’t leave it that way”, what do you mean?

 

[infinity]

How would you even add a ground bar in that mess? I would disconnect everything on the neutral bar and start over. Once that mess is out of the way you could add a ground bar.

 

[Jimmy7]

How would you even add a ground bar in that mess? I would disconnect everything on the neutral bar and start over. Once that mess is out of the way you could add a ground bar.

I know, what a mess

 

[Eddie702]

I have in the past put a split bolt on the bare neutral and run a wire over to a new neutral bar.

 

[hbiss]

You said “Don’t leave it that way”, what do you mean?

It's a mess and illegal with all those neutrals and grounds in the same spots. Shouldn't take more than a half hour to clean it up and provide room for your new neutrals.

-Hal