I have been watching Mike's videos on grounding and bonding the service entrance properly. From what I have read and watched , 3 wires 2 Hots, 1 Neutral come from the utility into the meter and then onto the main panel. In my home, there are 4 wires coming from the meter to the panel. The extra wire is bare aluminum and is attached to my panel. I haven't seen where it is attached in the utility meter.
So it seems like the wire is being used as a bond from the meter to my panel. Mike says that is a code violation because it creates a parallel return for the neutral. I know the 4 wire SER cable is supposed to be used if you wire a sub panel.
Any comments or suggestions. Location 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses. I am allowing this question since OP is merely asking a code and theory question, not DIY install advice. Is this a meter with main? If not then they are still service entrance conductors and there should just be three wires. There may be a 4th wire which would be a bonding jumper to a bonding bushing. Terminating grounding electrode conductors Terminating grounding electrode conductors I may have given the wrong Title.
The NEC code is Terminating grounding electrode conductors. The situation I described is just a meter to the main panel inside. In the video it says you do not run an equipment grounding conductor between the meter can and disconnect.
That's why I asked why the extra bare wire is there? Stephen said:. I may have given the wrong Title. Click to expand MAC Senior Member. Location Clark County, NV. Robert, thanks for the specific dates. Now I understand why I see it both ways in my neck of the woods. Excellent clarification. Thank you everyone. This one did have a separate ground from the panel.
Actually they cannot be. For separate structures this was permitted until it changed with the NEC. Also note that a detached structure requires a grounding source ground rod whether it is a 3 or 4 wire remote panel. The ground rod can not be used as the only source of grounding and must be tied to the neutral if only a 3 wire feed. Best to upgrade to 4 wire but how many of us would do that. No need for a 4 wire system to an out building IMHO.
I dont care when it was built, wrong is wrong. My job is to point it out not to decide if it will or will not be repaired. I take this position because like Dan we have areas that dont enforce anything code wise. We are not code inspectors, and a house does NOT meet current building codes in hundreds of ways.
I was wondering if anyone could explain the need for a four wire feed to a separate building apart from the house. In the case of the house I looked at today there was a separate garage with a subpanel fed by a three wire overhead feed.
The grounds and neutrals were separate. This should be a four wire feed, correct? Sub panels require a 4-wire feed. If only a 3-wire is present, a separate isolated ground can be used at the sub panel location. Separate ground not allowed in Canada 4 wires are required. I do think this also a requirement in some USA places. Up until the NEC code cycle 3 wire feeders were permitted if there were no metallic paths between the two structures.
From and beyond a 4-wire feeder is required. If there is an old 3-wire feeder you must bond the neutral just like in a service and connect the GEC from your grounding electrodes to the neutral. Robert, thanks for the specific dates. Now I understand why I 4/3 feeder wire free download it both ways in my neck of the woods. 4/3 feeder wire free download clarification. Thank you everyone. This one did have a separate ground from the panel. Actually they cannot be. For separate structures this was permitted until it changed with the NEC.
Also note that a detached structure requires a grounding source ground rod whether it is a 3 or 4 wire remote panel. The ground rod can not be used as the only 4/3 feeder wire free download of grounding and must be tied to the neutral if only a 3 wire feed. Best to upgrade to 4 wire but how many of us would do that. No need for a 4 wire system to an out building IMHO. I dont care when it was built, wrong is wrong. My job is to point it out not to decide if it will or will not be repaired.
I take this position because like Dan we have areas that dont enforce anything code wise. We are 4/3 feeder wire free download code inspectors, and a house does NOT meet current building codes in hundreds 4/3 feeder wire free download ways.
Thank you as always. In a 3-wire sub distribution panel the grounds and neutral should not be separated? Are you saying that a 3 wire system is unsafe?
Please be careful when you say not up to code!
