Replies

1. 
   woodroe | Feb 23, 2007 03:51am | #1

   Ground wires go to the neutral bar in the panel. If you look you will see that the neutral bar is connected to the panel case and is not isolated from it. There should also be a heavy ground wire attached to the neutral bar that goes to the ground rod dirven into the soil, usually outside near the panel location.

1. 
   woodway | Feb 25, 2007 07:02am | #8

   Is the original post talking subpanel or main panel here?

1. 
   woodroe | Feb 27, 2007 05:30am | #11

   I was talking main panel. I have no idea what Steve is talking about (I'm not sure he does either). If It's a sub panel, it is grounded to the main.

2. 
   woodroe | Feb 23, 2007 03:55am | #2

   I tried to edit to add the following, but all I got was a blank screen.

   If you don't see the main ground wire attached to the neutral bar, one should be added. I would consult an electrician if you don't see what I've described.

3. 
   BillHartmann | Feb 23, 2007 04:20am | #3

   The other messages are correct IF IT IS THE SERVICE ENTRANCE.

   The service entrance is where the first disconnect is located after the meter. Typically it is the main panel.

   But sometime there is a disconnect before the main panel.

   If it is a service entrance the "neutral" bus will be bonded to the metal case. Either a strap from the neutral bus or a bonding screw (green) will connect the neutral bus to the case.

   The ground electrode contuctor (which most often connect to the cold water pipe where it first enters the house and the ground rod(s)) can connect main panel or in the nearby meter.

   If you don't have that setup you need to get an electrican to look at it.

   .
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
1. 
   stevo1952 | Feb 23, 2007 05:32am | #4

   hi all,
   I figured I should go to neutral bar. Its not obvious that its grounded, but must be. There is no grounding wire inside that i can see, as some are grounded to water pipes. I havent seen a ground wire going outside , though it is probably there. The wiring is done well, its just about 35 years old.
   Thanks for your help, Stevo

1. 
   woodroe | Feb 24, 2007 03:16am | #5

   If you have a water meter for municipal water, make sure there is a "jumper" wire from the pipe one side of the meter to the other. This assures the ground is not interupted by the meter.

1. 
   barmil | Feb 27, 2007 05:19am | #10

   Woodroe,

   Just to make sure we're on the same wavelength. It's not my understanding that service panels are grounded to the water service -- they're grounded outside. I thought the purpose of a ground line from the service panel to the water service was to equalize the grounding of the pipes, so as to not to have a ground loop, or some such. I don't believe it's the primary ground, and it only needs to attach to the first metal after the meter. In my house, the supply pipe before the meter is plastic. I do bridge the in and out pipes for the softener, since they go into and out of plastic. If you have plastic throughout, no big deal there.

1. 
   woodroe | Feb 27, 2007 05:37am | #12

   "It's not my understanding that service panels are grounded to the water service "They are not supposed to be today, but at one time it was a common practice. I mentioned it because I think he said something about there being things grounded to pipes. In the state I live, they require that jumper accross the meter, because in older homes with metal water pipes there were often electrical devices, either original or added, that were grounded to water pipes. This was especially true in kitchens and bathrooms where grounded outlets were added as electrical need grew.

2. 
   BillHartmann | Feb 28, 2007 05:48am | #13

   ALL WRONG.If a water pipe qualifies as a Ground Electrode then is MUST BE USED as Ground Electrode. And the connection of the ground electrode conductor much be made with 5ft of where it first enters the building.To qualify as a ground electrode the water pipe much be metallic, underground and the underground portion at least 10 ft long.However, a water pipe is not allowed to be the only ground electrode. Other ground electrodes used in residential contruction has been ground rod(s) and now ufer grounds.However, if a water pipe does not qualify as a ground electrode, but it is metallic inside then it MUST BE BONDED to the ground electrode system..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

3. 
   JTC1 | Mar 02, 2007 03:31pm | #14

   Yours are the rules we play under in DE.

   Metallic piping in contact with earth is grounded whether you want it to be or not.

   Our required grounding set up for 200A service, metallic water supply from street, metallic piping inside = #4 bare or green from panel to ground rod + #4 bare or green from panel to water piping within 5' of foundation penetration + #4 jumper past water meter.  I think we are permitted to downsize the jumper but never do - already there with the roll of #4 - splurge for 2'!

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.    

2. 
   xMike | Feb 24, 2007 05:28am | #6

   At this point, you really should have an electrician look at it.  Folks think that 120 can't kill you, but it can, and does.  A missing ground contributed to the electrical fault that killed my dad.

   Mike D

3. 
   Geoffrey | Feb 25, 2007 03:50am | #7

   "havent seen a ground wire going outside , though it is probably there."

       "Its not obvious that its grounded, but must be."

   assumptions are what lead to your new screen name...............stevo1952-2007 

     

   call an electrician to check it out for sure

                                                                                                  Geoff

4. 
   JeffBuck | Feb 25, 2007 08:23am | #9

   U are so in over yer head ...

    

   Jeff

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