Objectionable current

[Steelhead]

I have been seeing lately a lot of subpanels where the feed to the panel is SEU or SER and the MBJ is installed. Neutral current is traveling back to the service on the EGC. Is this allowed because of the wiring method chosen or is it still against code? I always separate the neutral and the EGC in other than service panels.

 

[ron]

In general, other than the service and seperately derived sources, the N & G need to be insulated from each other.

 

[GoldDigger]

In general, other than the service and seperately derived sources, the N & G need to be insulated from each other.

With only line-to-line loads there cannot be any neutral current under "normal" conditions. I believe that in some cases you can install a 240 or 3-phase panel without pulling a neutral to it at all. But you must have an EGC!
I can't say whether it is acceptable to use SEU or SER to carry line plus EGC instead of line plus neutral. The size required of your EGC can limit that for sure.

If the subpanel feeds any line-to-neutral loads, then there would not be that possible way out, and you would need both.

 

[infinity]

I have been seeing lately a lot of subpanels where the feed to the panel is SEU or SER and the MBJ is installed. Neutral current is traveling back to the service on the EGC. Is this allowed because of the wiring method chosen or is it still against code? I always separate the neutral and the EGC in other than service panels.

If these are feeder conductors then the MBJ must be removed. If the panel is 120/240 volts and fed with SEU that's another problem.

 

[GoldDigger]

If these are feeder conductors then the MBJ must be removed. If the panel is 120/240 volts and fed with SEU that's another problem.

OP:

Neutral current is traveling back to the service on the EGC.

Is there a main panel where there is a bond or are these sub-panels each directly connected to the same service wires without an OCPD or ground/neutral bond?
If the subpanels are rated for use as service equipment and there is no downstream interconnection between neutrals from different panels or the EGCs from different panels and there is a separate GEC to each subpanel, then you might be able to make an argument for it. I personally would not try though.

 

[Steelhead]

Thanks guys! Everyone responded the same way as I was thinking. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing an exception to the rule. There seem to be a lot of panels out there that are wired incorrectly-at least the one's I'm finding. I will be fixing these panels for sure.