What do you think about this pic?

[Mark A. Timpani, CMI]

The main feed wires were to short so they pig tailed....

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Not a problem. Splices are contained in a big junction box called a Service Panel.

[Bob Elliott]

Gosh I was just going to ask what the big green box outside was for and forgot you are out west where they make you stand outside to reset your breakers.

The pigtail is OK as far as I know.Just makes you wonder.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

I see merretts on several wires. Had an electrician with me on my last HI. He was concerned about merrett on a wiring in the panel. Said it was OK because the wire was terminated. No longer live.
Any information would be appreciated.

[Chuck Evans]

Composition is a bit odd. The subject matter kind of boring. A little bit of keystone distortion is present in the image. Contrast and exposure are pretty good though.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Mark. Was the panel changed out at some time or do you think this was the original install?


I have a referral coming down for you. They should be leaving WA in about 30 days upon their home closing. Will advise when I have firm dates.

[Robert Meier]

Judging from the lack of matching paint it appears that they just changed out the panel. The splices are permitted but the work in general is very sloppy. If this is in a wet location then the nipple between the meter enclosure and the panel is a problem unless there is a sealing locknut on the panel side. Also that nipple would require bonding with something other than standard locknuts (that could be within the meter enclosure and therefore not visible). It's also hard to tell if the neutral bus is bonded to the panel enclosure and the bare GEC's should be terminated on the neutral bus not the ground bus. Also the large neutral near the bottom is not properly terminated.

[Mark A. Timpani, CMI]

Stephen, new panel, thanks for the referral. Robert good info thank you. Chuck thanks for your opinions.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by mtimpani

Robert thanks for the help, Stephen, new panel, Chuck thanks for your opinions...

Since this a new panel was there a permit and inspection done?

[Mark A. Timpani, CMI]

not sure, done a couple years ago

[Sean Fogarty]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

Also that nipple would require bonding with something other than standard locknuts

Why would you need one if the panel is bonded?? Or do you mean if you put a rubber gasket on it.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by sfogarty

Why would you need one if the panel is bonded?? Or do you mean if you put a rubber gasket on it.

A metallic service raceway (on the line side of the service disconnect) is required to be bonded to the enclosure or grounded (neutral) conductor. Standard locknuts are not permitted to perform this bonding. That would require a bonding locknut, bonding wedge or bonding bushing, etc. As I stated, in the photo it is not visible on the nipple entering the panel but very well could be on the meter side of the nipple. This bonding is only required at one end of the raceway.

250.92 Services.
(A) Bonding of Services. The non–current-carrying metal parts of equipment indicated in 250.92(A)(1) and (A)(2) shall be bonded together.
(1) The service raceways, cable trays, cablebus framework, auxiliary gutters, or service cable armor or sheath except as permitted in 250.84
(2) All service enclosures containing service conductors, including meter fittings, boxes, or the like, interposed in the service raceway or armor

(B) Method of Bonding at the Service. Electrical continuity at service equipment, service raceways, and service conductor enclosures shall be ensured by one of the following methods:
(1) Bonding equipment to the grounded service conductor in a manner provided in 250.8
(2) Connections utilizing threaded couplings or threaded bosses on enclosures where made up wrenchtight
(3) Threadless couplings and connectors where made up tight for metal raceways and metal-clad cables
(4) Other listed devices, such as bonding-type locknuts, bushings, or bushings with bonding jumpers

[Sean Fogarty]

What is the specific difference betweeen the bonding lock nut and the standard lock nut? Other then a screw.. and how does the difference affect the bonding principles of the locknut function?

I still have never understood that one. Its like grounding a gas meter that has 70 ft of metal line buried in the dirt..

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by sfogarty

What is the specific difference between the bonding lock nut and the standard lock nut? Other then a screw.. and how does the difference affect the bonding principles of the locknut function?

Good question. I think that the obvious answer is that the bonding locknut simply works better since it has a sharp screw cutting directly into the metal of the enclosure. But I'm not sure if the UL standard for carrying fault current is any different between the two when they're properly installed.

[Sean Fogarty]

I personally have seen very few of them here. Same ol story, no big deal. Guess it is not of big importance to most even though it is still not correct. I doubt I would get very many to change it if I wrote it up to begin with.