On one leg or two legs?


If you install two dedication circuits, would you install both breakers on the same leg or one on each? and why?
houstonreef
Jea 48,
Sub panel is connected to the main one with 4 AWG wire, with Black, White, Red and naked copper ground conductors.
Breaker in the main panel, feeding the sub panel is 60.
The wire he used for dedicated circuits has Black, White and naked copper ground conductors, so I guess, I mistakingly called it 12/3.
All five dedicated circuits feed 5 duplex receptacles, that is correct.
I don't think, that the ground bar in the sub panel is isolated from the panel metal enclosure.
Yes, sub panel ground bar IS connected to the main panel ground bar.
Also main panel ground bar is connected to an additional
copper rod, installed at the same time, as the sub panel.
And one more thing: I noticed, that a small connector box with TV and Internet cables, has a ground wire, connected to the main panel ground bar.
I have two questions:
1. When evrybody says "isolated ground" does it mean ground bar in the panel isolated from the metal enclosure?
And, if it's not isolated from the panel (like in my case, it seems), would that be a problem causing ground loop?
2. You'd have to forgive me, but I'm not entirely clear about the last part of your post;
"More than likely here is your problem. Just bet you have a difference of potential, voltage, between the equipment ground at the receptacles and the neutral, the grounded conductor.

Per NEC the feeder equipment grounding conductor shall be installed in the same cable, or raceway, as the feeder current carrying conductors. And the equipment grounding conductor shall terminate in the same panel the feeder is fed from".
And how exactly should I correct this problem?
Thanks a lot for taking your time- it's really priceless.
My guess, for what it's worth is that you have multiple ground rods. The two at the main panel are correct...but that one separate, even if connected to the main grounds may be the culprit.
1. When everybody says "isolated ground" does it mean ground bar in the panel isolated from the metal enclosure?
I don't know about everyone else.... But that meets the definition as far as NEC. Then from the isolated ground bar an insulated equipment ground wire would run back to the main panel and connect there.

And, if it's not isolated from the panel (like in my case, it seems), would that be a problem causing ground loop?
No.

2. You'd have to forgive me, but I'm not entirely clear about the last part of your post;
"More than likely here is your problem. Just bet you have a difference of potential, voltage, between the equipment ground at the receptacles and the neutral, the grounded conductor.


I was going by your statement:
...... is connected to a ground bar in the panel, and the ground bar is connected to a copper ground rod right next to the panel, and to a common house ground elsewere.
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Sub panel is connected to the main one with 4 AWG wire, with Black, White, Red and naked copper ground conductors.
Well the #4 awg copper wire is good.... Actually good for 70 amps....

Not sure what all the bare, you call naked, copper ground wire is all about.

I assume the insulated #4 awg wire is installed in a conduit back to the main panel. Are the bare ground wires in the conduit? I have a feeling the answer is no.

Per NEC the feeder equipment grounding conductor shall be installed in the same cable, or raceway, as the feeder current carrying conductors. And the equipment grounding conductor shall terminate in the same panel the feeder is fed from".
And how exactly should I correct this problem?
Call the electrician and have him redo the job per NEC at no charge to you.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

How big is the conduit for the sub panel feed? 1", or
1 1/4"?

Approximately how long is the run?

Because of the 60 amp breaker used that feeds the sub panel the equipment grounding conductor would only have to be a #10 awg copper wire. (NEC 2005 Table 250.122)

If it were me I would have the electrician install an insulated #6 copper wire. Minimum, a #8......
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Ozzy asked the question, are the branch circuits hots connected to the same leg in the panel?

Post from a member on AA

Also check the receptacles for the proper AC polarity.