Panel Wiring

[mstrlucky74]

If you have a 3P 4W panel the feed to that panel will alwayshave to have a neutral but not necessarily the loads that panel feeds, correct?

 

[MAC702]

Just because the panel is designed for the neutral doesn't mean you have to give it one if it is installed to only feed 3Ø loads.

 

[MAC702]

But how many times have we had a thread here where someone has come in later and put a 120V load and used the EGC as the neutral because the panel didn't have one...

 

[Strathead]

But how many times have we had a thread here where someone has come in later and put a 120V load and used the EGC as the neutral because the panel didn't have one...

The one, doesn't change the answer tot he other though. How many homeowners have put a 20 amp fuse on a #14 wire?

 

[MAC702]

The one, doesn't change the answer tot he other though. How many homeowners have put a 20 amp fuse on a #14 wire?

Agreed. It's simply worth mentioning. Only the guy with his boots on the ground and his relationship to the guy paying the costs can decide whether or not to plan for the risk.

 

[infinity]

If you have a 3P 4W panel the feed to that panel will alwayshave to have a neutral but not necessarily the loads that panel feeds, correct?

That's correct. We have installed panels for IDF rooms which had 200% neutrals and no 120 volts loads. A big waste of someones money.

 

[Ponchik]

That's correct. We have installed panels for IDF rooms which had 200% neutrals and no 120 volts loads. A big waste of someones money.

I know Neutral is required for service, whether or not neutral loads are present, but for a load center??

I have not checked the NEC book yet, but is the neutral requirement for load center based on NEC requirement?

On another note, what was your 200% based on?

 

[infinity]

I know Neutral is required for service, whether or not neutral loads are present, but for a load center??

I have not checked the NEC book yet, but is the neutral requirement for load center based on NEC requirement?

On another note, what was your 200% based on?

200% neutrals are usually based on the size of the OCPD ahead of the feeder for the panel.

 

[kwired]

I know Neutral is required for service, whether or not neutral loads are present, but for a load center??

I have not checked the NEC book yet, but is the neutral requirement for load center based on NEC requirement?

On another note, what was your 200% based on?

Let me correct you - the grounded conductor of a grounded system is required to be brought to the service. A major reason is that it is also your main ground fault return path to the source.

Not all "grounded conductors are a neutral conductor.

Beyond the service the grounded conductor is only required if the load utilizes it.

Beyond the service ground fault current is intended to return via the equipment grounding conductor - which must always be present beyond service equipment, even in ungrounded systems.

 

[Ponchik]

Let me correct you - the grounded conductor of a grounded system is required to be brought to the service. A major reason is that it is also your main ground fault return path to the source.

Not all "grounded conductors are a neutral conductor.

Beyond the service the grounded conductor is only required if the load utilizes it.

Beyond the service ground fault current is intended to return via the equipment grounding conductor - which must always be present beyond service equipment, even in ungrounded systems.

Thanks, for putting my comments in better terms. :thumbsup:

 

[mstrlucky74]

That's correct. We have installed panels for IDF rooms which had 200% neutrals and no 120 volts loads. A big waste of someones money.

:jawdrop::lol: