A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

Disconnect Boxes and Breakers => E Panel's, Disconnect Boxes and Breakers => Topic started by: mahendra on May 15, 2013, 07:21:06 PM

Title: e- panels
Post by: mahendra on May 15, 2013, 07:21:06 PM
Hi ,do midnite e-panels come with the neutral bonded to earth/ground from the factory ?thanks in advance
Title: Re: e- panels
Post by: TomW on May 15, 2013, 09:41:01 PM
Quote from: mahendra on May 15, 2013, 07:21:06 PM
Hi ,do midnite e-panels come with the neutral bonded to earth/ground from the factory ?thanks in advance

I just removed the ground on mine and checked it out. No continuity. So I say it is not bonded in the Epanel.

Tom
Title: Re: e- panels
Post by: mahendra on May 16, 2013, 07:31:42 PM
ok but what i am trying to get at is neutral should be bonded to ground at the source so why is it bonded at the e-panel
Title: Re: e- panels
Post by: TomW on May 16, 2013, 08:25:47 PM
Quote from: mahendra on May 16, 2013, 07:31:42 PM
ok but what i am trying to get at is neutral should be bonded to ground at the source so why is it bonded at the e-panel

Well, it is NOT bonded at the Epanel on mine. I removed the ground to check continuity from neutral to ground  because my neutral and ground are bonded in the service entrance. I am on grid off grid may be different.

I will let the Midnite guys address this because they know all the details and I just do my own wiring and am not really qualified to answer your question. I just took a minute to see if it was bonded in the Epanel and it is not.

Good luck with finding an answer.

Tom
Title: Re: e- panels
Post by: Halfcrazy on May 16, 2013, 09:00:24 PM
So NEC says the AC Neutral shall be bonded to Earth Ground in one spot. That spot is usually at the source or Main panel. If the system is Off Grid that Main panel would be the E-Panel. So if it is off grid the E-Panel becomes the Main distribution panel and everything down stream is considered a Sub Panel.

Ryan
Title: Re: e- panels
Post by: nigel on May 16, 2013, 10:38:02 PM
Neutral to bonded earths have caused me so much pain over the years that if i see them i remove them because you should only have one................. and where is it ?
The generator ?. , the E panel ? the pre wired OB unit   ? ,sub panel ?, main panel ?  simples just remove it in IMHO.
If you have 3 lines with individual functions why combine 2 of them ,,,my 10 cents worth,

I say no to N  to bonded earth every time,but im just an installer not a clever person.
Title: Re: e- panels
Post by: Halfcrazy on May 17, 2013, 06:09:48 AM
Well in the US we have to have one as the AC neutral has long been considered safe to touch. This bond makes it so the ground is brought to the same potential as the neutral thus making it safe to touch. A lot of appliances sort of count on that and I have seen weird things with no bond. My favorite was an electric stove that had voltage floating on the chassis  :o
Title: Re: e- panels
Post by: nigel on May 17, 2013, 08:10:26 PM
Ryan point taken, but  off grid 2 circuits N to Grd causes grief...IMHO
NO GRIEF when new product has n 2 g removed.... life reality in my case
Title: Re: e- panels
Post by: laszlo on May 27, 2013, 02:19:49 AM
Negative to earth bond: If the GFP feature of the CLassic  is used, the DC to earth bond should be only in the Classic. 

A/C neutral bond:  only on in place, in service entrance. This may not be same as the e-panel.

Title: Re: e- panels
Post by: ananthapriya on July 26, 2013, 01:52:42 PM
oh god! what is meant by e-panel? and what is the purpose of e- panel?i heard solar panel but before that i am not heard about e-panel.
Title: Re: e- panels
Post by: TomW on July 26, 2013, 02:19:44 PM
Quote from: ananthapriya on July 26, 2013, 01:52:42 PM
oh god! what is meant by e-panel? and what is the purpose of e- panel?i heard solar panel but before that i am not heard about e-panel.

Try looking here:

http://www.midnitesolar.com/products.php?menuItem=products&productCat_ID=1&productCatName=E-Panel%20-%20Outback (http://www.midnitesolar.com/products.php?menuItem=products&productCat_ID=1&productCatName=E-Panel%20-%20Outback)

Basically it is a solution for installing inverters and charge controllers with all the bits needed, cable, breakers, etc for both the AC and DC systems.

Hope that helps.

Tom



Tom.