neutral connected to a ground bar

[elkappyton]

In a main panel, can a neutral wire be landed on a ground bar that was added (connected to the case).

 

[augie47]

No. Any path that relies on the enclosure is not allowed

 

[don_resqcapt19]

The following was added in the 2011 edition of the code.

200.2(B) Continuity.
The continuity of a grounded conductor shall not depend on a connection to a metallic enclosure, raceway, or cable armor.

 

[wwhitney]

But suppose you add an adequately sized neutral conductor joining the two bars, namely the added bar mounted on the enclosure, and the original neutral bar that presumably has an MBJ connected to it. That solves the 200.2(B) issue. Is there a remaining issue with having two neutral-ground connections within a service panel, the MBJ and this new neutral/ground bar's connection to the enclosure? Or is it OK?

Cheers, Wayne

 

[augie47]

IMO: If such a "jumper" is present it would then connecting to the "grounding" bar would not be a violation of 200.2. A potential problem might be if the manufacturer identifies one bar as "grounding" then 110.3(B) could apply.

 

[elkappyton]

In a main panel, can a neutral wire be landed on a ground bar that was added (connected to the case).

This is a picture of the failure. “Ground bar” connected to case w/ threaded screws, neutral bonded to case with provided bond screw.

 

[roger]

As already stated, the added bar will need a wire jumper. The can is not a not a current carrying conductor however, it can be a fault clearing conductor

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

I'm not a fan of running a jumper from the netural bar to a ground bar within the same enclosure where the MBJ is installed. Just a personal preference.

Dislike seeing a white grounded conductor/ netural under a green screw. Especially a netural.


I personally think it would be a bad habit that might migrate to other work.

If possible I would move some EGC conductors to make room to re-land the grounded conductor/ netural to the netural bar. Maybe even add a ground bar if necessary.

I have to ask that white wire. What does it serve. Is it part of the line side tap.

 

[jaggedben]

Similar to this discussion:

Panel with bonded neutral and jumper

https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/skuPage.CHN225L.html I believe there are listed neutral bars that can also be used for equipment ground. My feeling likely wrong is that the typical ground bar is not meant to carry continuous current. They are the same thing, there is no difference between a...

forums.mikeholt.com

 

[elkappyton]

The white was for the line side tap for a solar install.

 

[roger]

The white was for the line side tap for a solar install.

Not that it changes anything but why are you not including all the details when you ask a question?

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

If a wire was added between the netural bar and ground bar how would it be sized other than using common sense.

Go by largest hole available on the ground bar.
250.102. minimum size required for grounded conductor.
Same size as the grounded conductor feeding the panle.
If an AHJ allowed this how would they inforce sizing per NEC.