Log In Register

Starting a new room and could use some advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter stlth8814
  • Start date Start date
  • Tagged users Tagged users None

Starting a new room and could use some advice

stlth8814 25 Replies 3,054 Views
Page 2 of 2 · Replies 21–26 of 26
According to code..ground and neutral cannot be bonded in a sub...only in the main panel where the ground is an actual earth ground. Seeing he has only 2 hots and a ground..I think running new 4 wire would be safer.

I'm not sure what you mean by the ground and neutral cannot be bonded in a sub.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by the ground and neutral cannot be bonded in a sub.

When you have a run of 240v from the panel..you bond the neutral to the neutral bar and the ground to the ground bar. In the panel these bars are bonded. In a Sub-panel there is usually a separation or a tab to break so that they each have their own path back to the panel...or more directly to the earth ground rod. If he were to have any 120v usage..the neutral is used to help cycle the polarities of a hot feed. So if they (ground and neutral)were joined..it would compromise the grounding effect...essentially giving charge to his ground wire.
4 wire (2 hots..a neutral..and a ground) is for the convenience of having 120v within a 240v circuit. lots of new appliances are utilizing both these days. Hence the need to make it code.
Also, for instance, when you have a detached structure (like a work shed), you are required to have an earth ground rod installed at the sub-panel for a long run. I would have to look it up, but even then I believe it is against code to bond the neutral and ground in this instance..even with a ground rod.
 
or be stuck with only 220v from that old run. I say do it..gives you lots of room to expand!
 
Oh well THAT is good to know! Thanks for the knowledge there, Natural! I'm looking at running a 50 amp line of 240 up to my upstairs bedroom for a sub-panel so I can run 4kw off 30 amps (at 240) and have 20 (@120) for the ac and Fans. Then I've got an independant circuit up there for the chiller I'm gonna have to use... So now I know a little better what I need to buy for wiring. :D
 
J

Jalisco Kid

Guest
If that wire run is in an attic you can use it to wire your room with. Definitely run a new feed to your subpanel. A home owner can do this in socal without electrician. Check with big supply houses, sometimes you can get good deals for orders never picked up but the wire was already cut. JK
 
Page 2 of 2 · Replies 21–26 of 26
Back
Top Bottom