Separate wires for 2 panels water line bonding

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Stevenfyeager

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United States, Indiana
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electrical contractor
I am upgrading 200 to 400 service for a residence. Reusing the old panel and adding a second panel next to it. Existing panel has a water pipe bonding conductor. Is it NEC compliant to jump from old panel to the new one ? Or do I have to run a new wire unspliced through both panels like I am doing for the ground rod conductor? Inspector said she wasn't sure. Thank you.
 
I am pretty sure you cannot just run a jumper from neutral bar to neutral bar. You might be compliant if you run a jumper from the neutral bar on the second panel to the GEC of the first panel and connect it via a permanent means. I can't see why it would not be compliant if done that way, but there may be a non-obvious (at least to me) rule on such things.

ETA: Maybe. Take a look at 250.64(D).
 
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Use an irreversible C-crimp outside of the panel. If you ever have to change out a panel in future, you will not lose come room to remaining panel

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Stevenfyeager said:
I am upgrading 200 to 400 service for a residence. Reusing the old panel and adding a second panel next to it. Existing panel has a water pipe bonding conductor. Is it NEC compliant to jump from old panel to the new one ? Or do I have to run a new wire unspliced through both panels like I am doing for the ground rod conductor? Inspector said she wasn't sure. Thank you.
Click to expand...

petersonra said:
ETA: Maybe. Take a look at 250.64(D).
Click to expand...

Yes, 250.64(D)(2) specifically.

Steven, the existing 200 A panel with its existing GEC (Grounding Electrode Conductor sized by 250.66 for 200 A) to the water pipe is essentially, now, the first of two Service Disconnects. The new 200 A panel can be a second, of up to six, Service Disconnect. Both 200 A panels keep their Main Bonding Jumpers installed. The new 200 A panel needs an additional GEC for the additional 200 A of service capacity, so you can choose to install another GEC all the way to the water pipe.

Or, you can abandon the existing 200 A GEC and replace it for a "common" GEC sized for a 400 A "service." 250.64(D)(1)

You haven't said whether there is now a Service Disconnect outside . . . I am assuming there is not.
 
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