Neutral is not insulated, see picture.

[Cartoon1]

Opened up a panel today and the neutral is not insulated as shown. I presume pulling new neutral is the best option to fix this issue?

Thanks

 

[roger]

Why do you think there's a problem? Service cables have had bare neutrals for ever.

 

[roger]

Go HERE to see how normal SE type cable is manufactured

 

[4x4dually]

Big difference in being an Electrical Engineer and being out in the field ain't it? LMAO

It's fine. Carry on. $.02

 

[infinity]

Since there is only a 3-wire feed a GEC and a bonding screw installed that would indicate that this panel contains the service disconnect. Having said that the bare neutral is permitted.

 

[drcampbell]

A bigger concern is that the hot lugs above (upstream of) the main circuit breaker are not insulated in this old panel.

It's not a violation (grandparent clause) and does not not need to be changed, but it does present an electrical-contact-injury hazard to anyone working in this panel.

 

[4x4dually]

And who cut that sheetrock out with an axe?!?!?!?! LOL

 

[drcampbell]

I thought that was de rigueur practice. (they just don't call it an "axe")

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[texie]

A bigger concern is that the hot lugs above (upstream of) the main circuit breaker are not insulated in this old panel.

It's not a violation (grandparent clause) and does not not need to be changed, but it does present an electrical-contact-injury hazard to anyone working in this panel.

Well, certainly true but as you know this has only been in the code for the last 2 cycles. So the are 10s of millions out there just like this. The Canadians were way ahead of us on this.

 

[GoldDigger]

Concentric neutral, covered by sheath, is common, but it does require some attention to wire placement once it is stripped inside a panel.
There is the potential for very long loose strands if any are nicked at the point where the sheath is stripped.

 

[drcampbell]

Well, certainly true but as you know this has only been in the code for the last 2 cycles. So the are 10s of millions out there just like this. The Canadians were way ahead of us on this.

Canadians are way ahead of Americans on a lot of things.

 

[petersonra]

And who cut that sheetrock out with an axe?!?!?!?! LOL

Are you sure it is sheetrock?

 

[infinity]

Are you sure it is sheetrock?

Good eye, that's plaster and lath.

 

[LarryFine]

That panel is clearly newer than the wall as well as the old NM cables.

The bare neutral is no worse than a bundle of bare EGCs.

 

[Fred B]

And who cut that sheetrock out with an axe?!?!?!?! LOL

Not sheet rock, plaster and lathe using wire mesh lathe.

 

[jaggedben]

Opened up a panel today and the neutral is not insulated as shown. I presume pulling new neutral is the best option to fix this issue?

Thanks

View attachment 2561262

How are you going to pull a new neutral inside that cable?
I just hope we can presume that's the service panel and the cable is not a feeder.

 

[texie]

How are you going to pull a new neutral inside that cable?
I just hope we can presume that's the service panel and the cable is not a feeder.

Well, I see a bonding screw, it has a main breaker, grounds and neutrals terminated on neutral bar and I'm sure not missed by you. Looks like a duck, walks like a duck... but as we know, anything is possible.

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

Um, interesting
Look at original pic. I think it's a surge arrestor.

 

[texie]

Um, interesting
Look at original pic. I think it's a surge arrestor.

My thought as well. One might argue that it needs its own breaker but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

[kwired]

My thought as well. One might argue that it needs its own breaker but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Shouldn't need it's own breaker. And QO and Homeline breakers 30 amp and less are perfect to put them on with other loads because the lugs on those do accept multiple conductors.