Starting electrical this morning, a little nervous!
So I’m sure I’m just not getting it, but this paragraph seems to contradict itself. If the main breaker is at the meter base should the ground and neutral be bonded or separate?
The code requires that grounds and neutrals be kept separate except at the main disconnect (the main breaker). If the electric service system has its primary main breaker outside at the meter base, the neutral and ground would be bonded only at that point, not at the breaker panel. When the main disconnect is located at the meter base, the ground and neutral terminal bars must be separate and not connected, and the main bonding jumper must be removed or disconnected.
So I’m sure I’m just not getting it, but this paragraph seems to contradict itself. If the main breaker is at the meter base should the ground and neutral be bonded or separate?
The code requires that grounds and neutrals be kept separate except at the main disconnect (the main breaker). If the electric service system has its primary main breaker outside at the meter base, the neutral and ground would be bonded only at that point, not at the breaker panel. When the main disconnect is located at the meter base, the ground and neutral terminal bars must be separate and not connected, and the main bonding jumper must be removed or disconnected.
The MBJ (main bonding jumper) is installed at the service disconnect. From that point downstream the neutrals and EGC’s (equipment grounding conductors) are kept separate. So if the service disconnect is next to the meter then the panel has the EGC’s and neutrals on separate buses not connected together at the panel. There is also the issue of Emergency Disconnects but that is a separate installation type.
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Passed the Roof inspection course. Now time to start the electrical course.
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Thanks, @rmeier2, that’s a perfect explanation.
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