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-   -   Do I just pull the main fuse to cut off power to the neutral bus bar? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=543833)

  • Jan 13, 2011, 07:28 PM
    djm0730
    Do I just pull the main fuse to cut off power to the neutral bus bar?
    I have an old "service protector (pellet)" attached to the bottom of my service panel. I believe it is the old school equivalent of a surge protector (My and GE's tech support's best guess). The two wires to the hot side are already disconnected, probably because it was only rated for 175 volts, but the neutral side is still connected. I was just going to remove it, but I wanted to be sure pulling the fuse would allow me to safely do that.
  • Jan 13, 2011, 07:37 PM
    hkstroud

    Yes, when main fuse is removed or breaker is turned off everything in panel is de-energized except the incoming lines and terminals to the main.
  • Jan 13, 2011, 07:46 PM
    Missouri Bound
    Is this a trick question? There is no "power" to the neutral... that's why it's a neutral. Now to be more clear power does go through the neutral via the two hot legs. The neutral completes the circuit. So if you have no power to either of the hot legs it stands to reason that there won't be any power to the neutral... right?
  • Jan 13, 2011, 07:58 PM
    hkstroud

    You are correct of course Missouri. However, you could have voltage to the neutral buss through other circuits. For safety, the novice should always turn off the main before opening the panel. I think djm0730 just wants to be safe.
  • Jan 13, 2011, 08:03 PM
    Missouri Bound
    HK... I wasn't suggesting that it be done with out the main pulled. It's always a matter of safety first and if you can shut it off, pull a fuse or lock it out it should be done. But pulling the main doesn't disconnect the neutral, and I believe that was the title of the question.
  • Jan 13, 2011, 08:14 PM
    hkstroud

    See my edited post. Turning off the main insures no voltage to neutral buss.
  • Jan 13, 2011, 08:18 PM
    Missouri Bound
    Comment on hkstroud's post
    ... as usual we are on the same page..
  • Jan 13, 2011, 08:59 PM
    djm0730
    Comment on Missouri Bound's post
    However I want power off to everything also going to the neutral bus bar. The same way you turn off two circuits if they are both present in the same receptacle box.
  • Jan 13, 2011, 09:00 PM
    djm0730
    Comment on hkstroud's post
    Thanks guys.
  • Jan 14, 2011, 07:21 AM
    Stratmando

    There can be Electric Company problems that may have voltage on the Neutral even though the Main is shut down.
    To be safe, it doesn't hurt to stay Isolated(No contact with anything else).

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