Bonding Screw

[Kenneth R. Malone]

Should I report an incorrect bonding screw? I found a new upgraded panel with what looks like a sheet metal screw used as the bonding screw. The green bonding screw with tag was laying in the bottom of the panel. Ken

[David P. Valley]

In this case, a bond is properly installed. Even if an improper screw was utilized, the bond is still going to be effective. IMO...I wouldn't call it out.

[Speedy Petey]

From a code standpoint that is quite illegal and NOT acceptable.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

From a code standpoint that is quite illegal and NOT acceptable.

Would you please expand.

I had no idea that a green screw is so different from a regular screw.

[tdietrich1]

1. per NEC - "Sheet metal screws shall not be used to connect grounding conductors to enclosures. "

and

2. Manufacturer's supplied screw(or similar) might be the only ones used during testing. So read the card attached to the green screw, sine MI could be violated. L&L issue.

tom

PS, now if it's a drywall screw, that might be ok per #1. However still a L&L issue.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by tdietrich1

per NEC - "Sheet metal screws shall not be used to connect grounding conductors to enclosures. "

and

Manufacturer's supplied screw(or similar) might be the only ones used during testing. So read the card attached to the green screw, sine MI could be violated. L&L issue.

tom

So what sort of material is the manufacturers bonding screw?

[tdietrich1]

Originally Posted by dvalley

So what sort of material is the manufacturers bonding screw?

Identified and tested materal.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by tdietrich1

Identified and tested materal.

Gee, that helps...Thanks

[tdietrich1]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Gee, that helps...Thanks

BTW, I still do electrical work, for free, and carry a green sharpie too.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by tdietrich1

BTW, I still do electrical work, for free, and carry a green sharpie too.

A green sharpie will definitely work on my inspections.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Gee, that helps...Thanks

I guess, I have to agree with David on this one, some things just don't seem to make any common sense, even though it is code.

Marcel

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by mcyr

I guess, I have to agree with David on this one, some things just don't seem to make any common sense, even though it is code.

Marcel

Will this work?


It's a patented (by the manufacturer - me) two in one screw.

Use it in the panel as a bonding screw (after using the green sharpie on the head of it) and then go on the opposite side of the wall and you've got yourself a handy dandy coat hanger.

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by mcyr

I guess, I have to agree with David on this one, some things just don't seem to make any common sense, even though it is code.

Marcel

The requirement for the a green MBJ screw goes back to the early 90"s when an Inspector from Portland, OR sent in a proposal, because the existing panelboard neutral bars then had a screw but it was silver like the others, so with that we got the GREEN screws, the sheet metal screw business started during a change made in a later code because the proposal indicated that it was unreliable.

I believe that Home Inspector's should rely on the comments made by those here with many years of experience and listen to them.

THE SHEET METAL SCREW IS A VIOLATION!

[jtedesco1]

David:

What size in AWG is this screw?

What if the service entrance conductors were 3/0 AWG copper, would it be large enough? What is the purpose of the MBJ?

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

The requirement for the a green MBJ screw goes back to the early 90"s when an Inspector from Portland, OR sent in a proposal, because the existing panelboard neutral bars then had a screw but it was silver like the others, so with that we got the GREEN screws, the sheet metal screw business started during a change made in a later code because the proposal indicated that it was unreliable.

I believe that Home Inspector's should rely on the comments made by those here with many years of experience and listen to them.

THE SHEET METAL SCREW IS A VIOLATION!

Thank you Joe, but what is this green bonding screw made out of?