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    timur's Avatar
    timur Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Dec 12, 2007, 01:34 PM
    Service Panel, Neutral and Ground bars tied?
    In the service panel, both the Neutral bar and Ground bar tied together. Neutral wires tied to the Neutral bar, Ground wires tied to the ground bar in the service panel. Isn't the ground wire than becomes the same as the Neutral wire, or maybe taking part of the current load off from the Neutral wire?
    Thanks, Tim
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #2

    Dec 12, 2007, 01:53 PM
    Tim,

    No, Neutral takes the returning electricity and carries back to your service connect.

    Ground takes electrical energy and disipates it at the earth ground.

    One of the things a GFCI product is a difference in current flow between Neutral and ground and if it is significant enough the device will trip.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Dec 12, 2007, 02:34 PM
    It is at the Main Service Disconnect Means, not just a service panel, both the Neutral bar and Ground bar are tied together. This is where the grounded conductor (AKA Neutral) is grounded by connection to a grounding electrode with a grounding conductor.

    I like to use the proper terminology to help educate those asking questions.

    Don is correct with his explanation the role of the neutral and equipment ground with branch circuit conductors.
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