I replaced my existing electrical panel with this electrical panel in order to have more available slots to redo my kitchen. I have one 6# copper wire ran & attached the water main and one 6# copper ran outside & attached to two grounding rods. What is the correct way to attach these two grounding sources to my panel? (If it matters, I'm in Minnesota, USA.)
Best Answer
Since this is the main panel your neutrals and grounds can be on the same buss, there are usually several larger holes in the buss #6 copper is all that is required for driven rods and #4 for a ufer ground. On most panels the grounding and grounded busses can handle #14 thru #6 al9cu so back one of the screws off slip the wire in the hole and torque it appropriately, your panel has the torque values on the label. Make sure the bonding screw (usually green) is installed, this ties both busses together and is the only place to tie them together. In the US all piping that may become energized is to be bonded to the system including gas pipes, water pipes can still be used as a ground electrode if in contact with earth for 10’ but this practice is not used as often today since most plumbing is plastic. So just pick a hole on either side and that’s all there is to it.