I have a 200 amp combination disconnect and 10 circuit panel on the pole feeding my 200 amp panel in my house. Is the panel on my pole considered my main panel and the one in my house a sub-panel requiring me to seperate my ground and neutral? I have run 4-wire underground to my home and was planning on separating the ground and neutral. What do you think? Would love some feedback. Thanks
Electrical – Separating neutral and ground in panel
electricalelectrical-panelgrounding-and-bondingsubpanel
Related Solutions
This is an example of a 100 amp Sub-panel coming off of a 200 amp Main-panel. Note the errors to current NEC code. Since there was an upgrade to the system, this one needed to be upgraded to current standards.
The ground had been connected to the neutral lug and the ground stake had also been connected to same. Also, note the horizontal bus connector bar.
(Believe it or not, the local electrical inspector missed this during remodeling with added circuits.)
This shows the corrected connections in the same panel.
This is the removed bar:
I am assuming that you have 220V going to the barn? As far as wire size, industry standards say to aim for 1 - 2% voltage drop, but running 5000W, 200ft on #8 wire @ 220V results in just under 3% voltage drop. This will probably work just fine but it would work a little better if you were to upgrade it to a #6 or a #4. It is just a matter of weighing the options. During peak performance a system running at 5000W with a 3% drop would be losing around 150W. At 1% drop you would only lose 50W remember, this is only during peak performance; during the morning and evening, your losses are much less.
Here is the question to ask yourself... How much money is it going to cost to upgrade the wire? Is it worth it for a 100W increase?
Credits: I mostly use the Southwire Voltage Drop Calculator for my calculations... I can do it manually but the Vdrop calculator is much easier.
Thanks, Maxfield Solar
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Best Answer
The first means of disconnect is considered the service. In your case the one on the pole.
Any panels fed from that would be considered sub-panels and should keep the grounds and neutrals separate and leave the bonding screw out.
The conductors between the service and sub-panel are considered feeders even if they are protected by an overcurrent device and should be run accordingly.
Good luck and stay safe!