I started working for a new company that does a lot of service work. One of are jobs last week was to hook a generator to a grocery store. The store owner only wanted certain things hooked to his generator like a few lights and his fans for his refrigeration there was a separate generator running the defrost panel and compressors. When we got the new panel all mounted we moved about 15 20 amp circuits from one panel to the new generator backup panel and one 6 awg neutral. The guy I was working with did not feel like moving all the neutrals. I questioned him about it and he said it was fine I found it hard to believe but I did not argue with him because he has over 20 years in the trade and I only have five. I when we got all done we put an amp probe on the neutral and it was only drawing like 7 amps and he said see that will be fine. Is it?
neutrial
- Thread starter cousinles
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peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: neutrial
I'm not understanding this. Does this 6 AWG neutral connect to all the branch circuits neutrals that were reloacted to the generator panel?
If so, that raises another question. How did you connect 15 #12 or #10 neutrals to a single #6?
If this neutral simply connects to the busbar in the generator panel, without connecting to the branch circuits, it's a violation. See 300.3(B)
I'm not understanding this. Does this 6 AWG neutral connect to all the branch circuits neutrals that were reloacted to the generator panel?
If so, that raises another question. How did you connect 15 #12 or #10 neutrals to a single #6?
If this neutral simply connects to the busbar in the generator panel, without connecting to the branch circuits, it's a violation. See 300.3(B)
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: neutrial
Then this is most certainly a violation of 300.3(B.)
Then this is most certainly a violation of 300.3(B.)
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: neutrial
Be carefull how you do this.He might not like being told.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: neutrial
You are permitted to install one oversized neutral for several smaller neutrals, thus alleviating the need to run multiple neutrals through a raceway. It needs to be calculated for the load(s) served. This is similar to a feeder neutral concept.
You are permitted to install one oversized neutral for several smaller neutrals, thus alleviating the need to run multiple neutrals through a raceway. It needs to be calculated for the load(s) served. This is similar to a feeder neutral concept.
ramdiesel3500
Senior Member
- Location
- Bloomington IN
Re: neutrial
I agree with Pierre. Generator panel manufacturers do this all the time. One large neutral conductor to replace all the smaller ones. I believe this only works when the generator panel circuits all come from the upstream panel that feeds the generator panel. The generator panel's branch circuits were originally in the upstream panel and, therefore, do not add load to that panels neutral.
However, I do believe that in order for this installation to function legally, the emergency panel feeder, branch circuits, and neutral conductor all must enter the emergency panel through the same conduit nipple.
I agree with Pierre. Generator panel manufacturers do this all the time. One large neutral conductor to replace all the smaller ones. I believe this only works when the generator panel circuits all come from the upstream panel that feeds the generator panel. The generator panel's branch circuits were originally in the upstream panel and, therefore, do not add load to that panels neutral.
However, I do believe that in order for this installation to function legally, the emergency panel feeder, branch circuits, and neutral conductor all must enter the emergency panel through the same conduit nipple.
Both of the hots and the neutral are in the same raceway, in fact both panels are connected together through a wireway above. I did question him about it again and he said he hooks up small generac genertors to homes and they are made to run one big neutral. That is how hw got the idea. so there must be an acception somewere.
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