Potential Problem

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augie47

augie47

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Location
Tennessee
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State Electrical Inspector (Retired)
A fellow inspector has recently found some of these panels mis-wired, as shown. Unsure why the manufacturer (GE) has the double lugs but it lends itself to a serious connection mistake
Line Lugs.jpg
 
"we don't need no stinkin instructions" :) Having instructions would be like having a Code book.

I think the problem arises in that this panel is different from many that are wired every day and we are creatures of habit.
Speaking of which, we have had inspectors miss the same thing thus making the meter installers life interesting.
Yes, the installer should be more careful as should the inspector and the meter installer should check for faults before installing and I' not faulting the manufacturer. ]
Simply making folks aware that this is on the market and its apparently easy to overlook the "difference"
 
It doesn't look like the installer knew what he was doing in the first place,otherwise, he wouldn't have installed that bare GEC up into the meter section of the pedestal.

JAP>
 
Or did they make their own bonding jumper that is not connected?

I better shut up, I cant tell enough by the picture what's going on with the GEC and bonding scene.

JAP>
 
As it is now, it looks as though there is no bonding jumper in place.

JAP>
 
On a side note, I hate those 30 amp 125v Rv receptacles.

The screws are both brass making it a document search to assure yourself of the hot and the neutral side to land your wiring on.

JAP>
 
jap said:
As it is now, it looks as though there is no bonding jumper in place.

JAP>
Click to expand...

It also looks like the GEC is connected to the EG bus instead of the neutral bus. But, based on the dead short on the ungrounded conductors the improper grounding and bonding may be the least of their problems.
 
texie said:
It also looks like the GEC is connected to the EG bus instead of the neutral bus. But, based on the dead short on the ungrounded conductors the improper grounding and bonding may be the least of their problems.
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with the GEC connected to the EG buss except for the fact that, that short piece of bare that is attached to the ground lug hanging loose is the bonding jumper that seems to be disconnected.

JAP>
 
jap said:
On a side note, I hate those 30 amp 125v Rv receptacles.

The screws are both brass making it a document search to assure yourself of the hot and the neutral side to land your wiring on.

JAP>
Click to expand...

Yes, there must be a reason, but I don't have the faintest idea why they do that
 
The actual GEC in the picture does not terminate in the distribution section at all, which it doesn't have to be, if it goes up into the meter section and terminates to the neutral at that point , it's just that the bonding jumper is not attached in the distribution section.

JAP>
 
jap said:
On a side note, I hate those 30 amp 125v Rv receptacles.

The screws are both brass making it a document search to assure yourself of the hot and the neutral side to land your wiring on.

JAP>
Click to expand...
If you purchase as part of an assembly like in the OP - it is already connected for you;)

texie said:
It also looks like the GEC is connected to the EG bus instead of the neutral bus. But, based on the dead short on the ungrounded conductors the improper grounding and bonding may be the least of their problems.
Click to expand...
Unless this is service equipment it shouldn't be connected to the neutral bus.
 
kwired said:
If you purchase as part of an assembly like in the OP - it is already connected for you;)

Not on a 30 amp power outlet only it's not.

Unless this is service equipment it shouldn't be connected to the neutral bus.
Click to expand...

If it doesn't have a meter above or behind that picture, then it's a feeder and they missed the Equipment Ground buss with their EGC on their way to the ground rod.


JAP>
 
look up a Midwest U0130 and you'll see what I'm talking about.

JAP>
 
At times I find this place a little unbelievable.:D
The intent of the original post happened not to be "what all is wrong with this picture". It meant to be a precaution to folks that there is the possibility of making a serious connection mistake if you run across one of these panels and are accustomed to single lug panels.
 
augie47 said:
At times I find this place a little unbelievable.:D
The intent of the original post happened not to be "what all is wrong with this picture". It meant to be a precaution to folks that there is the possibility of making a serious connection mistake if you run across one of these panels and are accustomed to single lug panels.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but we are beyond that now. I gotta ask is this the way Tennesseans do things. :D
 
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