For the main panel, the ground and neutral tie into the same bar, so what you did is correct. For a sub panel, they go to different bus bars.
Michael
Michael
Wiring main panel box for dedicated 20amp line.
I'm getting ready to install a dedicated 20 amp line and came across something I wasn't expecting. I have a single GE main panel box that's about ten years old. When I opened the box I was expecting to see neutral wires at one bus bar and the ground wires attached to the other, with the black wire - of course - attached to the circuit breaker.
Instead, I found the neutral and ground wires for each outgoing wire attached to the same bus bar on adjacent screws. I've since read that this is common practice and apparently up to code on a main panel.
To install a new 20 amp line, I could duplicate this setup with adjacent vacant spots on one of the bus bars and a new breaker, but I'm wondering if using a common bus bar for both the neutral and ground wires is suitable for a hi-fi application? The whole idea is, of course, to have a dedicated, properly grounded circuit for my gear. Also, if it's not ideal, would a small sub-panel be a desirable solution?
I'd be grateful for anyone's expertise. Thanks!
Instead, I found the neutral and ground wires for each outgoing wire attached to the same bus bar on adjacent screws. I've since read that this is common practice and apparently up to code on a main panel.
To install a new 20 amp line, I could duplicate this setup with adjacent vacant spots on one of the bus bars and a new breaker, but I'm wondering if using a common bus bar for both the neutral and ground wires is suitable for a hi-fi application? The whole idea is, of course, to have a dedicated, properly grounded circuit for my gear. Also, if it's not ideal, would a small sub-panel be a desirable solution?
I'd be grateful for anyone's expertise. Thanks!
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T1s49: Vistualy every electronic device uses a power supply where you know, AC is converted to DC... There hasn't been any issues with phasing of DC that I've ever heard of. Maybe I just don't have the experience... Maybe I just need to hook up the old Techtronics scope and watch the sine wave for a few hours, sort of like watching the test pattern fot TV in days gone by... |
T1s49: Vistualy every electronic device uses a power supply where you know, AC is converted to DC...Gvasale, I believe T1s49 is referring to the Hot Lines, legs, of the electrical panel. He used the term phasing in his post a common mistake when referring to the Hot legs of a single phase electrical panel where the service conductors are fed from a single phase transformer with a split phase secondary winding. At any rate, it is an established practice that when using more than one branch circuit to feed audio equipment, that is connected together by ICs, all branch circuits should be fed from the same Line, leg, from the electrical panel. All from L1 or all from L2 but not from both. 12-23-13: Tls49 The Truth Jim |
So, you have a hypotheticaly 220v amplifier, If you say the transformer (pole) has a split phase secondary, then the amp should have ground loop & other indescribable issues? I go back to the ground is the same ground, no matter what & the phase is normal (single), Not split, or would ac motors not run, right? Motors, capacitor start, "split' phases themselves, right? Going back to the power supply, all are rectifying AC to DC and usually have full wave rectifcation and hopefully adequate filtering, of one or two stages & regulation too. I can't download your link yet, but I'll keep trying. This, and I don't mean to offend anyone, is really kind of out there if you know what I mean. |
So, you have a hypotheticaly 220v amplifier, If you say the transformer (pole) has a split phase secondary, then the amp should have ground loop & other indescribable issues?I see you do not live in the USA or Canada. Here in the US the power that feeds most houses is fed from a single phase transformer with a split phase secondary winding. You will just have to trust me on that. Or you could do a little research on the subject and learn for yourself. Here is an Example to get you started. You spoke of 220V. I assume you live in a country that uses 220V power to feed residential dwelling units, houses. Just guessing, because I have no idea, just 220V is fed to the premises. One Line, leg, of the 220V feed is intentionally connected to earth making it the Grounded Conductor, neutral. The other Line, leg, is the Hot the ungrounded conductor. If that is the case you do not have the same power situation as we do here in the US. I go back to the ground is the same ground, no matter what & the phase is normal (single), Not split, or would ac motors not run, right? Motors, capacitor start, "split' phases themselves, right?I haven't the foggiest idea what you are saying. Going back to the power supply, all are rectifying AC to DC and usually have full wave rectifcation and hopefully adequate filtering, of one or two stages & regulation too.Really..... And how about coupling capacitance leakage from the primary winding of the power transformer of the equipment. Add that to audio equipment that uses an equipment grounding conductor. Having 120V branch circuits fed from both L1 and L2 feeding equipment that is connected together by ICs only adds together leakage voltage because of the 240V potential of the L1 and L2 fed circuits. And then in the case of audio equipment that uses a safety equipment. Poorly designed equipment is susceptible to ground loops when the signal ground of the equipment is also connected to the chassis. In this case one piece of equipment may be fed from L1 and another from L2. A 240V potential is present on the 2 hots feeding the audio equipment. Here also any leakage to the equipment ground will be additive and possibly cause a ground loop hum. I can't download your link yet, but I'll keep trying.Keep trying..... I suggest you do a little research on the subject before you start bad mouthing others. You just might learn something in the process. |
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