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TOPIC: Wording for double tapped neutrals

Wording for double tapped neutrals 13 years 1 week ago #40236

  • Bert de Haan
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Any one care to share what wording they use to write up double tapped neutrals? 
Thanks

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Bert de Haan
www.KitchenerWaterlooHomeInspector.ca
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Re: Wording for double tapped neutrals 13 years 1 week ago #40277

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Thank you David.  Just so I understand; wouldn't the problem be when one of the hots gets disconnected AND the neutral as well?  Because in order to disconnect the one, the other neutral will be disconnected for a while as well?
One more question about it; how does it damage the circuit? 
I am trying to get it straight because it is so common to see double tapped neutrals that at some point I am sure to have an electrician question my comment.

Thanks again.

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Bert de Haan
www.KitchenerWaterlooHomeInspector.ca
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Re: Wording for double tapped neutrals 13 years 1 week ago #40284

There are multiple neutrals sharing individual terminals at the main panel busbar.  MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN: Recommend repairs by a qualified electrical contractor.    (That's how I write it.)

If you have 2 or more wires in a lug and you disconnect one of the two hot wires at the breaker you could damage the circuits and anything plugged into these circuits


I didn't think it was the disconnection of the hot which was a concern, I thought it was the neutral.  When you disconnect a double-tapped neutral, the other one doubled up to it will also be disconnected. If that circuit is under a load, I believe voltage surging would be the result(correct me if I'm wrong). That can fry all kinds of equipment. But it would only be a concern when the panel or that circuit is being worked on. I always call it out because of the concern that a double-tap doesn't have as good a connection as one wire/one terminal and most manufacturers don't allow it. That's how I explain it to clients and Realtors too.

If the electrician calls and wants to argue I usually respond with "Hey, I have to call you guys in if there is even the slightest potential for a problem, you're the experts.  Am I right in sending it your way?".  As soon as I butter them up with "you're the experts" they get real personable and admit that "yeah, it technically can cause a problem, etc."  Then they talk my ear off for a few minutes about it.  It's actually a good way to learn more if the electrician really is an expert and is willing to field a few questions.

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Re: Wording for double tapped neutrals 13 years 1 week ago #40303

Cameron is correct regarding the reason. 
Here is the wording I am currently using...
"Neutral wires are doubled or bundled together on the neutral bus bar.  This is an unsafe condition that should be evaluated and corrected by a qualified electrician.  Note to electrician :  additional bus bar installation may be required."

Note to Dominic : How do I copy from HIP and paste it into a message?

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Re: Wording for double tapped neutrals 13 years 1 day ago #40517

Cameron is correct. Attached is one good explanation resource PDF.

Here's yet another example of a comment on this issue:

"Have a licensed electrician evaluate and correct the double-tapped neutral (white) wires on a single terminal of the neutral bus bar—in the main panel. This is a safety hazard."

"GroundED" conductor neutral (normally white sheathed) should never be double tapped.

"GroundING" conductor ground (normally bare copper) can be double tapped (sometimes tripple) if same gauge wire. Depending on panel manufacturer.

And of course, Grounded and Grounding conductors should not be double tapped together (under the same lug/screw). Bonding of the Grounded and Grounding wires is OK -- in the main panel only.
Attachments:

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Serge Delhoyo
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Re: Wording for double tapped neutrals 13 years 1 day ago #40520

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Note to Dominic : How do I copy from HIP and paste it into a message?

Try Ctrl-C for copy and Ctrl-V for paste.

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Bert de Haan
www.KitchenerWaterlooHomeInspector.ca
Benchmark Home Inspection Services Kitchener-Wateroo and Guelph area Home Inspection
Serving Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Orangeville, Mount Forest and surrounding areas.
Keywords: Kitchener-Waterloo home inspector, Guelph home inspection,...
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