Originally Posted By: bbadger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Roger Petersen wrote:
I am starting to feel as though my accurate statement is being picked apart by those of you who feel the need to be the ultimate authority. Please keep in mind that although a picture may be worth a thousand words it will often hide the obvious.
I am sorry you felt / feel that way, different opinions on the same picture is the nature of Internet forums. Your opinion is as welcome here as mine or anyones. 
I see you have only a few posts here I respectfully suggest you develop a little thicker skin. Whenever you post expect someone to outright disagree or at least have a different view then yours.
Heck people disagree with me quite often, sometimes they are wise to do so and I learn something. 
Bob
-- Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN
Panel in a large barn workshop on a two home mini ranch. Panel used to be fed from a 100-amp breaker in the panel at the main house but those conductors are now snipped off at the conduit entrance. Now it is being fed by a 30 amp breaker at the service equipment at the barn exterior. I don't know which 30-amp breaker (no clips) is actually the one being back fed. The neutrals and grounds are separated at the panel but the original neutral conductor is still connected back at the house and there's also a EGC at the same bar still connected at the house! You may also notice that the neutral bar on the left being used for the grounding conductors isn't bonded to the panel itself. In other words the panel box isn't grounded. Totally screwed up. Fortunately the client is a licensed electrician himself and seemed like he was looking forward to fixing this mess.
-- Richard Moore
Rest Assured Inspection Services
Seattle, WA
www.rainspect.com
When I was buying my house the Realtor pumped up the fact it had a "New 100 amp service" Great that is worth about $200 to me, tell me the roof is brand new and I will be excited. 
Bob
-- Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Yup Bob I think we need to step back a few feet in this shot and figure out what they are doing with the neutrals. I do see one landing on the bus on the right that might be from the generator but where are the rest of them? It should be run with the phases. (The magnetic heating thing)
Originally Posted By: David Suelflow This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Wow, what a response! I thought I had a simple question and it appears I’ve opened a can of worms. Here’s a pic of the whole situation, If I could figure out how to put some arrows in it I’d point some things out. Anyway, here goes…
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
We went a long way to get back here but it appears your first assessment was correct. If they split the busses and put the whites on the isolated one, add a EGC to the main panel, it looks OK. The neutrals that are there seem to be grouped with the generator in and one branch circuit out (upper left) and everything else is nippled over to the main panel in the lower left in one pipe. I suppose he should reidentify that white wire on the breaker too.
Originally Posted By: dhartke This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Great question Jeff and subsequent answers.
Many panel faces have a good tight fit that seem to perform well (especially with the adjusting screws) as a retaining device for the branch circuit breakers. Are any faces rated to also retain the main disconnect breaker or must the main disconnect breaker have a "stand alone" retainer?
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Yes you need a supplimental retaining device besides the cover.
408.16(F) Back-Fed Devices. Plug-in-type overcurrent protection devices or plug-in type-main lug assemblies that are backfed and used to terminate field-installed ungrounded supply conductors shall be secured in place by an additional fastener that requires other than a pull to release the device from the mounting means on the panel.