Any residential electricians here?

[thunder550]

We are in the process of selling our home in Colorado. On inspection, it was noted that there are a couple of double-tapped neutral wires in our main breaker panel. I did a bunch of reading on this and understand why it's an issue, so I'm planning on fixing it.

I took a look at our breaker box and while it looks like there are 4 lugs with 2 wires in each one, I only have 2 open lugs, and that's not enough room to fix the issue. My panel looks like it has room to add another busbar, but I have no idea where to get one. It's a GE Load Center TM1615RH box. Anyone know where I can get this part?

 

[dmax711]

What I would do is get a ground bar and tap it to the back of the panel. Make sure you use machine screws like 10-32 or 8-32. Transfer grounds to it. That should give you the room you need so neutrals aren't doubled up.

 

[thunder550]

That sounds easy enough...will the ground bar ground through the panel enclosure that way?

 

[NJ_LLY]

Because it is a main you will need to install a jumper between your existing bar and the new one that you install. Tapping it to the panel does ground it out but the inspector is going to want to see them bonded together.

 

[DBUSHLB7]

Look for a Summit electrical supply or a Border states. Perhaps a Greybar.

 

[thunder550]

Any idea what gauge wire I should use for the jumper?

 

[thunder550]

Did some more reading, here's what I'm thinking. Let me know if this sounds ok.

I'll add a ground bar tapped directly to the panel, and move the bare and/or green ground wires to it. That should free up enough room to give each neutral wire it's own lug. I will also remove all three wires from the large lug circled in red below. The two whites will go to the neutral bar, and the bare ground will go to the ground bar. I will then bond the new ground bar to the neutral bar using the large lug circled in red below. What gauge wire should I use for this? Does color matter?

Also, I'm understanding that ground and neutral wires can be on the neutral bar since this is the main service panel, but ONLY grounds may be on the new ground bar that I install, as adding a neutral wire to the new ground bar would in effect "energize" the entire enclosure. Correct?

Does this all sound ok?

 

[dmax711]

Yes you are correct. I'd use the largest wire you can get under your new bar to bond it to old one. Its always better to be overkill when talking about grounding..remember since this is a main you can have neutrals and grounds on same bar, you just cannot double them up. If it was a sub panel then they would have to be completely sepperate.

 

[thunder550]

Awesome, thanks for the help!

 

[NJ_LLY]

#6 should do. It just has to be large enough for to support the greatest load in the panel. #6 is good for 60a

 

[tripleturbo]

You don't need a jumper, through bolt the new ground bar to the panel don't use machine screws. No jumper is needed the panel is bonded and just use the new ground bar for grounds only.

 

[tripleturbo]

There are normally holes on the side that are pre drilled and tapped for ground bars. If not you could always drill and tap it. It has to be a 10/32 though.

 

[dmax711]

Some panels don't come pre drilled. And you have to use machine screws. 10-32 like I said. Its illegal to use anything else like self tappers.

 

[thunder550]

Great, thanks for the help guys.

 

[LtEng5]

once you have the new ground bar installed....

figure out why this wire is burnt and melted...the one just below is also burnt. the discolor of the wire and the melted insulation is not good...
cut the wires back to good color wire and make sure the screws are tight on the neutral bus AND at the breaker of the hot wire that is paired with the white.

 

[btfarm]

I know from looking at the pictures that I feel alot better about my 200 amp panels at the house and barns. :thumb:

 

[tripleturbo]

Ive seen worse lol thats not that bad. He could argue with the home inspector because it's an older home and the 2 neutrals under one screw has been grandfathered in and doesn't technically have to be changed, but for the little money it would cost for the extra ground bar its not worth the hassel.

 

[thunder550]

Got it all done, and found an electrician who is willing to come out and certify everything. Anyone see anything they don't like about this, before I pay someone to come inspect it? Thanks again for the help everyone!

 

[dmax711]

Nope looks good:thumb:

 

[tripleturbo]

Ses I thought he had to have a number 4 to bond it because he has his neutrals on the new ground bar. If he just does his grounds on it then he doesn't need the jumper.