# Electrical Service Panel Question from a Newbie **URL:** \ **Category:** Electrical Inspections\ **Created:** [February 14, 2021, 1:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306 "2021-02-14T01:00:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jschoenecker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jschoenecker/32/216534_2.png) [@jschoenecker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jschoenecker)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 8:38am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/42 "2021-03-20T08:38:37Z")
![Inkedf80afdb918eaed66093cf2f90f2d54ff81cb64cc_LI](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/4/a/4affca5f389059e880bdd6fdbb5292713038bb7f.jpeg) Hello everyone, Jacob, ME., here. I also am new and working through the courses at InterNACHI. I have some background experience working in construction in various areas, but electrical is a weak spot for me, too. I was looking at OP’s picture and I had two observations, as I recently completed the Electrical Course. 1. I see several neutrals in one connection, and I’m wondering if that is providing a solid connection to all those wires. I recall a part of the Electrical Course saying something about how the set screw wouldn’t be able to make a very good connection when there is more than one wire inserted. 2. I circled the area where one neutral appears to be damaged. That also causes me to question the ability of this component to function correctly. Please, anyone, feel free to correct me if I am mistaken. Also, any advice or input is welcome. Thank You! ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 11:30am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/43 "2021-03-20T11:30:23Z")
Jacob, - Only 1 neutral is allowed per termination - I can’t tell how badly it is damaged but might as well recommend assessment and/or correction as long as there will be a qualified electrician there. Happy inspection. ---
**Author:** ![rmeier2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmeier2/32/59909_2.png) [@rmeier2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmeier2)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 12:21pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/44 "2021-03-20T12:21:40Z")
> [@jschoenecker](#): > > I see several neutrals in one connection, and I’m wondering > if that is providing a solid connection to all those wires. I > recall a part of the Electrical Course saying something about > how the set screw wouldn’t be able to make a very good > connection when there is more than one wire inserted. Those are not neutrals but equipment grounding conductors (EGC’S) and typically two or three are permitted to terminate in a single hole. ---
**Author:** ![jschoenecker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jschoenecker/32/216534_2.png) [@jschoenecker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jschoenecker)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 2:04pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/45 "2021-03-20T14:04:28Z")
Thank you @rmeier2 When I zoomed in, I saw 4, maybe 5 conductors going to that single termination. That’s not too many? I’m asking in earnest, there’s a lot I still don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![rmeier2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmeier2/32/59909_2.png) [@rmeier2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmeier2)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 2:48pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/46 "2021-03-20T14:48:09Z")
> [@jschoenecker](#): > > When I zoomed in, I saw 4, maybe 5 conductors going to that single termination. > > That’s not too many? > > I’m asking in earnest, there’s a lot I still don’t know. Your eyes are better than mine. 😃 I’ve never seen an EGC bus that was listed for that many conductors in a single hole. Generally it’s two or three with the number and sizes listed on the label in the panel. ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/47 "2021-03-20T15:12:51Z")
> [@rmeier2](#): > > Your eyes are better than mine. Try this closeup… ![2021-03-20_100932](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/0/7/07048118401b9e55defc9f4a0fe35481ab9c80f9.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![rmeier2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmeier2/32/59909_2.png) [@rmeier2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmeier2)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/48 "2021-03-20T15:21:33Z")
> [@jjonas](#): > > Try this closeup… Thank you, yes I agree it’s probably about 5 conductors. Nice job Jacob. 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/49 "2021-03-20T16:00:48Z")
> [@rmeier2](#): > > I agree it’s probably about 5 conductors. So how is this any different than a single, multi-strand cable, with multiple strands? ---
**Author:** ![ryoung7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ryoung7/32/188798_2.png) [@ryoung7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ryoung7)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/50 "2021-03-20T16:11:42Z")
Looks like bunched ground terminals on the right under one lug. The ground bus is isolated from the neutral bus. Just my 2 cents. ---
**Author:** ![rmeier2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmeier2/32/59909_2.png) [@rmeier2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmeier2)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/51 "2021-03-20T16:33:27Z")
> [@jjonas](#): > > So how is this any different than a single, multi-strand cable, with multiple strands? I’ve been asking that same question for 20 years regarding the neutral in SE cable. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/52 "2021-03-20T17:23:35Z")
I have an idea why that may matter. A single multiple strand cable is wound together a million times. Which in my opinion would certainly guarantee connectivity. Similar to a “pig tail” or “rat tail”. But, I need to disqualify myself, I am NO electrician. ---
**Author:** ![rcritch2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rcritch2/32/205475_2.png) [@rcritch2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rcritch2)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 12:36am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/53 "2021-03-22T00:36:52Z")
Well glad to know I can help. Type it into Google and you will see them for 240/120 by Eaton, federal , and a dozen more. Cheers Theo ---
**Author:** ![gwells](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/gwells/32/417638_2.png) [@gwells](https://forum.nachi.org/u/gwells)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 6:02pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306/54 "2021-03-22T18:02:01Z")
> [@jjonas](#): > > So how is this any different than a single, multi-strand cable, with multiple strands? Jeffrey, There are standard specifications for the manufacture of all wires, cables, and terminals. They take into account such things the ratio of cross-sectional area of the conductors, the cross-sectional area of the terminals, the ratio of the cross-sectional areas, heat dissipation properties, and so on. The size of the individual strands in a multi-strand conductor are also all the same size and metallurgy. Components are tested for specific installation configurations. It isn’t possible to cover every conceivable arrangement. There are potential problems when there are different sizes and different metallurgy. To keep things simple, everything is rated for use in the way that it was tested and listed. As a practical matter, you could put multiple stranded conductors and probably not have a problem because there is a large margin for error with electrical equipment in general. But that’s another discussion. [Previous page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/electrical-service-panel-question-from-a-newbie/192306.md?page=2)