I think this is the first time I’ve seen one of these where the neutral wires are attached right next to the breaker connections. The panels just have an overall different look. Most obviously, since they’re white but also the breakers look really different.
At first the neutral wire attachment was a bit confusing but once looking at the way it’s setup it becomes clear pretty quickly. In this case I suspect the sparky may have been confused too since the green bonding screw was fully driven and should have been left out (shut-off indicating boding at the meter base outside).
Lastly, is it just me or does every new panel have a new and far worse method of attaching the cover? Is it really that tough to just put 4 or 6 screws at the edges? This one sets the upper and lower screws inward from their normal orientation (easy enough, I suppose) but the cover didn’t line up well with the breakers and there were large gaps until I messed with it and was able to force the cover to one position with all the screws partially retracted. Aside from fingers or tools getting in the gaps (admittedly very unlikely) in Hawaii the damn geckos get in there (fwiw, this house was in Oregon). Anyway, thought you all might like to see one of these before you encounter it on an inspection. I called out the bonding and the construction dust/debris. I let the gaps go since it was possible to get the cover set straight, albeit with some effort.
On edit (and glad I have not sent the report yet) - I’m thinking the bond screw I see is just attaching the ground bus to the panel casing. I think the empty hole to the right is the neutral/ground bond. Any opinions/experience?
Rather than continuing to edit my OP I’ll just add this - Doing some research and it looks like this is a “smart panel” - the breakers have A LOT of features like wifi connectivity, etc.
Thanks! Great graphic and what I was trying to find. It’s funny how the longer I do this the more I doubt myself Meaning, I REALLY want to be sure I’m correct. At the inspection I saw the green screw and just immediately thought “bonded at the panel”. It wasn’t until I got home and was looking more closely at the pics that I saw the other empty hole.
Great post. Haven’t seen one yet. Now everything requires both halves (neutral and hot) of the circuit in order to operate. Switch boxes need a neutral. 'Course if the panel was so smart it would have told you about the bonding strap. Do they have panels that talk yet?
As in proof it was my wife running two blow dryers and a curling iron simultaneously? Maybe a printout like when you go to Autozone with a check-engine light on your car? That could come in handy around my house
Meaning, I REALLY want to be sure I’m correct. At the inspection I saw the green screw and just immediately thought “bonded at the panel”. It wasn’t until I got home and was looking more closely at the pics that I saw the other empty hole.
Do they have panels that talk yet?