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    djm0730's Avatar
    djm0730 Posts: 17, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jan 13, 2011, 07:28 PM
    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.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #2

    Jan 13, 2011, 07:37 PM

    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.
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
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    #3

    Jan 13, 2011, 07:46 PM
    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?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #4

    Jan 13, 2011, 07:58 PM

    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.
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
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    #5

    Jan 13, 2011, 08:03 PM
    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.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #6

    Jan 13, 2011, 08:14 PM

    See my edited post. Turning off the main insures no voltage to neutral buss.
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
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    #7

    Jan 13, 2011, 08:18 PM
    Comment on hkstroud's post
    ... as usual we are on the same page..
    djm0730's Avatar
    djm0730 Posts: 17, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Jan 13, 2011, 08:59 PM
    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.
    djm0730's Avatar
    djm0730 Posts: 17, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Jan 13, 2011, 09:00 PM
    Comment on hkstroud's post
    Thanks guys.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #10

    Jan 14, 2011, 07:21 AM

    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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