I always thought one side was for the white wires and the other for ground on an electrical panel breaker. I've come across panels with whites and grounds on the same side. Does that matter? Why or why not? thanks guys.
2007-01-25 09:42:10 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
In home wiring systems, the standard color convention is that black is always the hot wire, and white is the neutral. If you follow the wiring back to a typical lighting panel, the white wires will all be connected to the same side of the circuit, and this nuetral side will also be connected to the ground wire.
The difference between a ground and a neutral wire is that the ground wire normally does not carry any electrical current when the appliance is in operation. The ground wire is a backup path for current in the event of a short circuit. In most appliances, the ground wire is secured to metal surfaces that come into contact with people. By attaching a separate ground wire, this insures a low resistance path for current to flow in the event of a short circuit. Without a ground wire, if the metal surfaces come in contact with the hot wire, then the person holding the appliance could become the return path to for current to flow, and thus get an electrical shock.
It is important to remember, that while the neutral and ground wire are at the same electrical potential, they are both needed. The nuetral wire is the normal return path for electrical current. The ground is a safety path to protect people.
2007-01-25 12:10:14 · answer #1 · answered by richard Alvarado 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ground un insulated copper wire and the white wire both go to the ground buss bar. There is a slot there and lock screws for that purpose. We are of course talking about the master panel with a disconnect switch and breakers. Remove that cover and take a look for yourself.
2007-01-25 19:52:50 · answer #2 · answered by James M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what kind of panel you're describing, but in general all the white and bare copper (ground) wires go to a neutral buss. It's usually a bare copper (sometimes silver colored) strip with a lot of little screws on it where the wires attach. It's the ground strip and should have a larger diameter wire attached to it that goes to a ground rod in the ground-outside the building. All of the white and bare copper wires end up connected to the same place, unless someone used one (white) as a hot wire, such as for a 220V appliance. I usually color them black if I do that.
2007-01-25 19:55:38 · answer #3 · answered by Stephen D 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are right about what the ground and neutral do. The answer you are looking for is this. Your ground wires and neutral wires should be bonded (connected together) at the first point of entry (the first place you can shut the power off). Hope that helps and answers your question.
2007-01-25 20:37:26 · answer #4 · answered by zalkar 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋