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Larry Hiatt
Nov 9, 2006, 07:32 PM
I installed a gfi breaker at the main box but wanted to double check my work. The neutral white wire from breaker goes to the ground bar. But does the solid copper ground lead go their also?
Thanks

omzig
Nov 9, 2006, 07:57 PM
If this is your main service panel, then yes, the bare equipment ground connects to the same ground bar as the neutrals. If there are two ground bars in the main service panel, they should be connected together and neutrals and equipment grounds can go on either bar. If your new breaker is in a subpanel, then there should be a neutral bar and an equipment ground bar that are separate and not connected together.

Use caution when working in your service panel. Even if you shut off the main, the main lugs are still hot. Be especially careful when snaking the bare ground wire around, if it touches one of the main lugs you could be in a heap of trouble.

tkrussell
Nov 10, 2006, 03:40 AM
Just to be sure this is clear, the Main Panel must have the Main Breaker in that panel, along with all the other branch circuit breakers

The reason I reiterate this is that many times there is only one panel for a dwelling, so it is perceived as a Main Panel, however, the Main Breaker can be elsewhere, such as at the outdoor utility meter.

Many newer homes have the Main Breaker outdoors at the meter. This practice has been widely popular for the last 10-15 years.

When the Main Breaker is not in the "Main Panel" , this panel is now considered as a subpanel, and the neutrals and grounds must not be connected together.

I cannot express how important this is, the neutral and grounding must be done correctly and is done differently in different panels.