Outdoor disconnect wiring

[jpatt2]

Hello all, I've been in the trade for just a few years, and apologize in advance if this is a bit of a basic question. The other electrician at my company that I was studying under recently quit, so I'm attempting to hold down the fort so to speak while a replacement is found. I know after a main panel or disconnect, four wires are then run to the subsequent panel, but I'm not overly experienced with outdoor disconnects. I ran into a 200a main disconnect the other day that had 3 lugs where the neutrals attach and can be bonded to ground. The previous installer had cut a bunch of ground wires and done some what appeared to be questionable splicing. As this is the main disconnect and needs more than one method of grounding, would the preferred wiring method be to run a wire from the third lug to a ground bar tapped into the back of the disconnect and run my additional grounds to there? I appreciate everyone's input!

 

[JFletcher]

Welcome to the forum. I cant quite visualize the install in question; did you happen to take any pictures?

 

[augie47]

A picture would help, but based on experience I think you have a service disconnect with only (3) neutral lugs and you need to make (4) terminations. a common occurrence here. If that is correct, the incoming grounded conductor (neutral) should be bonded to the disconnect enclosure (normally with the green screw).
Since the enclosure is bonded you can connect your equipment ground conductor to the enclosure by either adding a ground bar as you mentioned or simply a mechanical lug bolted to the enclosure. You do need to remove the paint from the enclosure beneath the lug.