Discuss Garage Subpanel Questions in the Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Welcome to ElectriciansForums.net - The American Electrical Advice Forum
Head straight to the main forums to chat by click here:   American Electrical Advice Forum

Reaction score
0
Hello everyone,

I have a detached garage with a Subpanel that had all been wired by previous owners of my home. The lights in this garage are turned on and off by using the breaker. I wanted to add an actual light switch, something I've done in the past without a problem. When I opened up the panel, I noticed that all the grounds and neutral wires were on the same bus bar.

It is my understanding that these should be on separate bars in a sub panel. I'm not sure if codes allowed this at some point in time, or if this was just never done to code. So long story short- I stopped my switch install until I figure out if this is going to be kosher or if there's something I need to do to address this. And if I do need to separate these bars, what would that entail?

I've attached some photos of both my home panel and the sub panel in the garage for reference.

I appreciate any input you have for me concerning this!
 

Attachments

  • Garage Subpanel Questions 20221017_191522 - EletriciansForums.net
    20221017_191522.jpg
    503.7 KB · Views: 3
  • Garage Subpanel Questions 20221017_191527 - EletriciansForums.net
    20221017_191527.jpg
    364.7 KB · Views: 3
  • Garage Subpanel Questions 20221017_192045 - EletriciansForums.net
    20221017_192045.jpg
    620 KB · Views: 2
  • Garage Subpanel Questions 20221017_192047 - EletriciansForums.net
    20221017_192047.jpg
    540.5 KB · Views: 1
  • Garage Subpanel Questions 20221017_192051 - EletriciansForums.net
    20221017_192051.jpg
    388.9 KB · Views: 2
Hello everyone,

I have a detached garage with a Subpanel that had all been wired by previous owners of my home. The lights in this garage are turned on and off by using the breaker. I wanted to add an actual light switch, something I've done in the past without a problem. When I opened up the panel, I noticed that all the grounds and neutral wires were on the same bus bar.

It is my understanding that these should be on separate bars in a sub panel. I'm not sure if codes allowed this at some point in time, or if this was just never done to code. So long story short- I stopped my switch install until I figure out if this is going to be kosher or if there's something I need to do to address this. And if I do need to separate these bars, what would that entail?

I've attached some photos of both my home panel and the sub panel in the garage for reference.

I appreciate any input you have for me concerning this!
The NEC states that all sub panels shall have 4 wires 2 hots 1 neutral and 1 ground wire. Yes you are supposed to separate all neutrals and grounds. You can purchase a ground bar and install it. If you are going to do it do it the right way. Good luck on your light switch
 

Reply to Garage Subpanel Questions in the Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

Electrical Forum

Welcome to the Electrical Forum at ElectriciansForums.net. The friendliest electrical forum online. General electrical questions and answers can be found in the electrical forum.
This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by Untold Media. Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock