|
|
|
pole barn sub panel
Need some advise? I ran power to my pole barn and I want to know if this is correct. I ran 130’ of #8 THHN in plastic conduit from my main panel with a 30amp breaker at my main panel feeding a sub panel in my pole barn (my sub does not have a main disconnect at the barn only at the main). There is no metal of any sort connecting my house to my pole barn except a phone line. I ran two hots and a neutral but no ground wire. I installed two grounding rods at the pole barn six feet apart. I also bonded the neutral and ground at the sub panel. Does all this seem correct?
|
|
 Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
|
pole barn sub panel
Thanks for the reply deersman. I have less then 6 sweeps of the hand only 4. So under these conditions I do not need a main disconnect in the barn. NEC does state this. My 30amp breaker at the main panel qualifies for a main disconnect.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
|
pole barn sub panel
deersman check out section 225.33 which specifically permits this.
thanks
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
|
pole barn sub panel
Kthompson, my sub is fed by a 30amp double pole breaker.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
|
pole barn sub panel
It is never permitted to use the neutral and ground busses tied together in a sub panel such as you are installing.
Actually it is permitted. Nec does state this, and was also confirmed by an electrician.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
|
pole barn sub panel
That is true. Since I have only three feeds two hots and a neutral to the detached structure this is why I must bond the panel. If I don’t bond it and I have a ground fault more then likely this would not trip the breaker in the barn since earth is a terrible conductor of electricity. Now with me bonding the neutral and ground the ground fault will travel back to my main panel via the neutral which will give it enough resistance to trip the breaker. This is why I must bond the panel in the pole barn.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
|
pole barn sub panel
Carldnell, first thing did you run your feeders in metal conduit from your main panel to your sub panel? If so, some may (inspectors) consider this a ground, but you also have a metallic path between your detached structures and must run a fourth wire (ground) from your main to sub. Now if you used PVC then I would put a ground rod or two out at your pole barn. The problem you have is your system is not grounded out at the pole barn. If your sub panel or receptacles ever become energized you would have a major shock problem. Once you put your ground rods out there then you must bond your panel since you did not run a fourth wire aka ground. The reason for this is if you ever have a ground fault you may not have enough resistance for the breaker to trip since the ground is a terrible conductor of electricity. With your panel bonded and you have a ground fault it can now travel back via the neutral, which will create enough resistance to trip the breaker.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
|
pole barn sub panel
Carldnell post your question on this web site. This site is very helpfull and there are plenty of electricians and inspectors on this site.
Link:
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
Gas Generator Weather Protecti
11-19-2005, 20:26 
Digg It 
Del.icio.us