Neutral or no neutral?

[John Kogel]

This 125 Amp circuit was added to supply an new electric furnace. It looks like they used what I'd call tec cable which has 3 insulated wires and a bare grounding conductor. The neutral is taped off and tucked away in the panel.
Should the neutral be connected to the bus, clipped off at the clamp or is this OK?
(The panel is a 1990's Canadian Federal Pioneer but that is not the subject of this thread, please. :) )

[Jerry Peck]

I would recommend re-identifying the third insulated conductor to green and attaching it to GROUND at each end. Thus, if it gets energized accidentally by anything, it already connected to ground, which is where you would want it connected to.

In the mean time, it is serving as an equipment grounding conductor along with the bare equipment grounding conductor.

[Rollie Meyers]

As long as it's insulated on both ends it presents no hazard as-is.

[Robert Mattison]

May 15, 2009 I think Jerry answer is sound.
Myself. 1st. is there four wires, please correct me if I'm wrong, and the furnace runs on two, example: HOT/BLACK 120 volts to ground, white - GROUND/NETURAL ZERO volts to ground. Third wire become your grounding conductor attach the metal part of furnace, and netural/ground
buss barr at electrical panel. 4th wire not needed, spared, cap off at both
ends. Federal panel tell customer about the problems with this brand of
electrical panel, and they should have it change. If they don't then they
bring a lawsuilt should this panel fail, the breaker not tripping starting a
fire. Make sure you write it up and have the home owner read it and sign it. Good Luck to you. Robert. also Jerry knows a great deal on this
panel.

[John Kogel]

Federal panel tell customer about the problems with this brand of
electrical panel, and they should have it changed.That panel is Federal Pioneer of Canada. Although they have Stab-Lok style breakers, they are still being installed and people love the designer colors. :) Schneider Electric Canada - Solutions, Products and Services in Electrical Distribution and Automation and Control (http://www.schneider-electric.ca/www/en/products/stab-lok/index.htm)

[John Kogel]

As long as it's insulated on both ends it presents no hazard as-is.
Thanks, Rollie. Jerry's suggestion is valid, but that involves a visit from a sparky, "He said you need to What?" :) :)

[Rollie Meyers]

Federal-Pioneer does not seem to have the reputation that FPE has, in discussions w/ some Canadian sparkys, that was what I got from them, & they were not even fans of the line. :) There is absolutely no reason to fret about a unused conductor if it has been properly insulated on both ends.

[Jerry Peck]

There is absolutely no reason to fret about a unused conductor if it has been properly insulated on both ends.

Actually, there is, and it happens.

In your perfect world, maybe not, but in the real world, quite likely, and that sure would be beneficial if that unused conductor were grounded at each end.


Thus, if it gets energized accidentally by anything, it already connected to ground, which is where you would want it connected to.

[Robert Mattison]

just want to know were do you the Candadian Federal Pioner Panels and
Breakers, and call it what you want, to the best of my knowledge its still
a Federal, by another name. Oct. 14, 1997; Ontario Canda Home Program
issues a warning regarding Canadian Fedral Pioner (Candian verison fo FPE
Stab-Lock)... understand, I would not tell the customer to remove this
equipment, but understand there issue with it that they should be informed. If a circuit never overloads, then the breaker can never be put
to the test. To me, it like finding alum. wiring in a house. Best of Luck in
writing your report. Robert