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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Manchester, Vermont
    Posts
    298

    Default Old house electrical system

    Just look at a house electrical system. I need help in understanding.


    The owner hired an electrician to replace the house old electrical service.

    The house electrical panels are located in the basement.

    The electrician installed new service wire.

    The electrician installed a new single meter socket.

    The electrican ran wires from meter socket inside the house garage thur a metal conduit.

    The electrican installed a 100 amp. 20 space panel, with 100 amp breaker.

    The electrician grounded this panel to two copper ground rods.

    The electrican installed this panel on top a conduit containing three insulate copper wires. He then installed a two pole 100 amp. breaker and landed the three insulated wires, two hots at the breaker and the third
    insulated wire to the panel grounded buss.

    Now back at the basement panels all the grounds and grounded conductors share the same buss bar, with it bonded to the metal panel
    box. This were I think something wrong. Should have the electrician installed a individual buss bar and removed the grounding conductors and
    place then on a newly install buss bar. And removed the bond screw.
    This panel is feed by rigid metal pipe. And could this pipe become the
    forth wire, for these panels. Or is pre-existing and its okay the way it is.

    Thanks.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,970

    Default Re: Old house electrical system

    This is a service panel where the neutral need to be bonded to the GEC.

    All answers based on unamended National Electrical codes.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Manchester, Vermont
    Posts
    298

    Cool Re: Old house electrical system

    Thanks Jim for your reply. Question are you talking about the panel that I
    mention was located inside the house garage, or the panels in the basement. Sorry, I should had said their are two panel in the basement.

    1st. one feeding from service panel in garage has no main disconnect.

    2nd. this panel feed a 2nd. panel by way of 60 amp. 2-pole circuit breaker.

    I also sorry my post was so long.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,970

    Default Re: Old house electrical system

    The first means of disconnect past the meter can be fed with 3 conductors and the neutrals and grounds are bonded together. This is called a service panel.

    Any panel downstream of the service needs to be feed with 4 conductors and the neutrals need to be isolated from the grounds. A rigid metal conduit can serve as the EGC to the panel. A flexible metallic conduit would need a grounding conductor.

    All answers based on unamended National Electrical codes.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    WESTMINSTER CO
    Posts
    1,152

    Default Re: Old house electrical system

    ROBERT

    any pictures

    cvf


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Snowbird (this means I'm retired and migrate between locations), FL/MI
    Posts
    4,086

    Default Re: Old house electrical system

    Don't think you made it clear either way...Is the New service point location (The Garage) actually attached to structure with "the basement"

    Is the "basement" actually FED or TAPPED from the newly installed and located "service equipment"? Is the feed or tap conductors above grade, below grade or completely indoors or encased in concrete? Also, is it sealed? (curious).How many "line" feet is the feeder landing? If I followed the description, you're saying the first panel in the basement DOES NOT have a main, is that correct (or does the "first" "bsement" panel also have a 100 A "main"? I believe you stated it is FED or tapped from the "new" service panel in the garage which itself (the service) is protected by a 100 A main breaker. Are there more than 10% of the total switch poles in the "first" "basement" panel protected (current limited) at or less 30A?As I understood your description this first "basement" panel was the former "service equipment" panel, is tht correct?As I understood your description the "second" "Basement" panel is fed off the "first" "basement" panel via 60 Amp 2P breaker... Pictures would be helpful to follow your descriptions.

    Last edited by H.G. Watson, Sr.; 12-17-2012 at 08:07 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Manchester, Vermont
    Posts
    298

    Default Re: Old house electrical system

    Thanks Jim P. I completely understand now.


    My thread is now ended. thanks to everyone who read it and reply.


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