[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 11-30-2001).]

Is this really a violation of the new rule in 408.21 requiring individual terminals for grounded conductors in switchboards and panelboards? Is a fused disconnect within the scope of Article 408? Also even if the disconnect is within the scope of 408, is this really two grounded conductors? It looks a like a splice in a single grounded conductor to me. There still may be an issue if the terminal isn't listed for use with two conductors, but I don think it is a violation of either the letter or intent of 408.21.
Don(resqcapt19)

Good point Don.
Let me see if I have this straight. The reasoning behind the rule is if someone were to lift a neutral in a panelboard that was doubled up with another there would be a hazard of causing sever voltage imbalance at down stream loads, right? 408.21 only applies to switchboards and panelboards, Right? 408 does not cover disconnecting means making this an acceptable installation. (The lug is duel rated.) Lets say, hypothetically, that the load end of this feeder lands in a panelboard where it continues on to another panelboard via either a breaker or a bus tap. Now lets say the where the grounded conductors come together in this first panel from the disconnect and the sub panel, they are landed under the same lug. Would be a violation of 408.21 or not? How would this be any different electrically than the situation shown here? For that matter, what if this were a panel instead of a disconnect. It would then be a violation? Or is it not because it is a splice. Where do you draw the line in calling it a splice and two separate conductors?

Nick,
With a feeder grounded conductor, there is no reason to have the same rule as for branch circuit grounded conductors. If the feeded grounded conductor is lifted you have lost the grounded conductor for the feeder circuit and have created a problem for any multiwire branch circuits fed by that feeder. The same thing happens if there are two terminations as would happen with only one termination. As long as the termination is listed for 2 conductors, I see no code or real problem with making a feeder grounded conductor in that way.
Don(resqcapt19)

Forgive me; I don’t have the ’02 code yet.
I understand and agree with your reasoning here Don but is that what the letter of 408.21 says? Does it distinguish between branch circuit and feeder neutrals?

The letter of the new rule applies to all grounded conductors in panelboards.

If the new section does not distinguish between branch and feeder, would you find this installation a violation or not? The lug is rated for the two conductors. One comes from a transformer the other goes on to another panel.

Nick,
I would call that a violation. If you lift the neutral wire going the other panel, you will create an open neutral for both panels.
Don(resqcapt19)