Unusual terminal bar

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Looks like something from the old PC Circuit Board days. Definitely looks like a DIY modification that would not be approved by the panel's manufacturer.
 
I had a very similar looking ground bar in a GE MCC installed about 1985. I didn't care for it as the wires had to be wrapped around each of the screws, with multiple wires, it was hard to get it to look neat, as they all wanted to go in different directions.
 
This panel is ca. 1978 - Square D. I has a feeling that this was screwy (pun intended). The bar is bolted through the bottom of the panel.
 
I have seen this type of terminal panel a few times. It was always in a panel with fuses however. Looks like someone used an old part on a newer panel. The ones I have seen were used for neutrals.
 
charlie b said:
Looks like something from the old PC Circuit Board days. Definitely looks like a DIY modification that would not be approved by the panel's manufacturer.
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I would not be so sure. It's just a copper bar with screws in it. Copper bars are allowed to be used for such purposes. There is no modification being made to the panel itself.
 
after looking at the pic s again my bet is based on the number and types of circuits someone replaced a fuse box with this panel somewhere along the line and used the old terminal bar in this unit. doubt if the bar is ul litsed for the panel but when bolted to the case in my opinion an effective means of connection.
 
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I have seen this type of terminal panel a few times. It was always in a panel with fuses however. Looks like someone used an old part on a newer panel. The ones I have seen were used for neutrals.


You are so right Stew.
 
stew said:
after looking at the pic s again my bet is based on the number and types of circuits someone replaced a fuse box with this panel somewhere along the line and used the old terminal bar in this unit. doubt if the bar is ul litsed for the panel but when bolted to the case in my opinion an effective means of connection.
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Home is ca. 1936. Main panel has a 1971 date (Square D). This panel has a 1978 date.
 
I agree, it looks like something I've seen in old fuse panels.

If nothing else, the inspectors around here would of failed it since the paint hasn't been removed where the bar mounts to the panel.
 
with the dates you have mentioned that lends credence to my theory that this was the original service location and is now a sub for the old existing loads with a service panel located somewhere else feeding this sub. anyway thats my story and Im stickin to it!!
 
Looks like where the original service was an old Wadsworth fuse panel, and it was upgraded to this Square D breaker panel but they didn't buy the Square D grounding bar and borrowed the old neutral bar out of the Wadsworth panel, I have seen many of those bars, and yes there solid copper, even some of the older Wadsworth panels that had a main breaker but the branch circuits had fuses had this bar. very common around here (the Wadsworth fuse panels that is)
 
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