[nprranch]

I am looking for advise in proper grounding of service panels. I have a 200 amp disconnect at the pole under my meter. From here I run into a 100 amp service panel (about 70ft from the pole) with a 100 amp breaker. I came off this box with another 100amp breaker to a second box (about another 70ft away- second building), also with a service panel with a 100 amp breaker. I have the grounds and neutrals connected in both service panels. Questions are:

1) Should the ground and neutrals be isolated in each service panel? If so, do I run to a grounding rod from the neutral or ground bus? If it's okay to have them connected, I assume it doesn't matter which bus the ground rod is connected to.

2) If they should not be connected in each service panel, how is the proper way to ground them? Would the first box be considered a MAIN, even though I have a 200 amp service breaker at the pole? Would the second box be considered a SUB, even though it also has it's own 100 amp breaker (same as the first box)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

nprranch

[tkrussell]

This can get tricky, so follow me.

Drive at least one ground rod (check local codes, some require two) at the service pole and connect to the neutral and equipment ground bar of both disconnects. Only here will the neutrals and any grounding conductors be allowed to be connected.

From these two service disconnects, called Service Disconnecting Means, a separate neutral and separate equipment ground wire is needed, along with the two hots, in each feeder to each building.

At each panel, the neutral must be insulated and isolated from the panel metal box, do not install Main Bonding Jumper, (green screw or jumper wire that is separate in the carton for the panel), at either panel. This bar will be only for white neutral wires.

Each panel must have a separate equipment ground bar, usually purchased separately, and bolted to the panel metal box using machine thread screws.

This bar will be only for green and bare equipment ground conductors including the equipment ground from each feeder, AND a # 6 wire going to at least one ground rod, at each building. Again, check local codes with how many rods are needed at each location.

Any metal piping in the buildings need to be "BONDED" with a min of #8 copper wire, back to the equipment ground bar in that building's panel.

There is no MAIN or SUB panel defined by the electric code. The main is intended to be the Main Disconnect, or Service Disconnecting Means, which in your case is at the service pole.