Inside panel: neutral & ground bus same thing?

[Drayman Eightysix]

Just discovered this message board site; what a great resource!

I was inside my panel this weekend adding a circuit (150A service panel, original installation, 1967). Was surprised to find the neutral and ground bus was the same thing at the right side of the panel, with neutral and ground wires from all circuits running into this bus. The neutral from the electric company ran into the bus at the top, and the ground wire ran into the bus at the bottom. Bus consists of two nearly overlapping rows of connectors, some for small gauge wire and some for large gauge wires. Is this typical for that era? Aren't the neutral and ground buses supposed to be separate?

Thanks for reading my post.

[gbeaumont]

Hi There,

So long as that is the panel that contains the main disconnect, it's OK

BTW, we tend to use real names around here.

Regards

Gerry

[Drayman Eightysix]

Right Gerry, thanks.

Greg Kozak