Sup panel question?

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Greg,

Agreed........at that point it should still be (3) conductors....not running the solid copper line.....creates potential parallel conditions.....should start with (4) wire AFTER this location.....and Isolated neutral buss...AGREED this is where I see the main problem.

I do not believe they have to run a GEC from each feeder subpanel....as this more than often in my experience is run from the main panel ahead of the "gutter" or from the gutter is direct tapped and no OCPD ahead of it.

Pierre....any comments on this setup in the images?

[Pierre Belarge]

If you look closely, you can see what looks like the GEC to the groundrods at the first point of disconnect, which is ahead of the meters. This is a common setup in NY as long as the POCO can lock everything up on the line side of the meters, including the trough.

What is happening with the conductors I cannot tell from this picture.

[Greg Fretwell]

I agree about the conductors Pierre, without seeing in those meter cans I wouldn't touch it. The 4ga is just paralleling the metal in the cans anyway, assuming the meters are bonded. In my experience POCO guys don't recognize the "objectionable current in grounding conductors" issue at all. They bond the neutral every chance they get. With that in mind, if I was really being a code nazi, I would have them cut out the 4ga to the customer disconnect if I was sure it was all bonded in the service equipment but I would still be left with the parallel path of the raceways so why bother? It's there and it isn't hurting anything. I would just tell the electrician he could skip it next time and save a few bucks.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by Greg Fretwell

if I was really being a code nazi

lol...I like that.....

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Well there you have it James. Did you get all that?

I think this goes to show you, if the neutrals are grounded at any point other than the service disconnect (the first means of disconnecting the power after the drop or lateral), we, as HI's, should defer it to the experts.

As Pierre pointed out, there are exceptions to the rule, but we shouldn't be trying to interpret those exceptions, as we are not qualified (in most cases) to do so.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Jeff....you are a good man........bringing it all back together in a nice tidy package...Bravo to ya fella.....

Dang long winded Electricians......

[jlybolt]

So, can someone please explain this all over again.
Just kidding

Thanks everyone for your comments. I am fairly new to the business and this website and everyones comments are very educational and always appreciated.

Thank You
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[Paul W. Abernathy]

James,

I will start again.......basically............JUST KIDDING...lol

[Greg Fretwell]

The short answer is you can bet the farm the POCO bonded each meter so the first place you have to look at is the unit disconnects and if that was a service disconnect we wouldn't lose our mind that there was a parallel path to the meter, three in this case. This is not something I would worry about. Just be sure the panel in the unit is right.