I am replacing a power panel on our property. The old power panel only had 20 amp 120 volt recepticals. A friend who is a certifiex master electrician (now retired and out of state) inspected the panel and showed me it had 60 amp service. I have bought a panel box (Siemens TL137US) to install. The service is 4 ga three wire, two hot legs and a common. I know where to connect all three but where do I go with the ground bar in the box? Is it grounded to the panel box which is connected to the steel post in the ground? I found a grounding rod in the ground about eight feet from the post but I'm not sure if that's required if the system is grounded by the post.

Ground rod is still required. The box being attached to the post, will bond a ground path to the post, then attached a ground wire to the ground rod from the ground bus in the panel.

The box you're changing out to is a temporary power outlet panel. To bring it up to code you need a separate grounding conductor going back to the main panel. Do not add another ground rod and call it good unless you want to set yourself up for a major hurt in the future.Since this is probably replacing a very old installation, I believe it is considered grandfathered and you can tie your ground wires inside the new panel into the neutral buss bar inside the new power panel. I would check with your local electrical inspector before doing this however.The safest thing to do would be to change out the 3 wire feed with a 4 wire feed.

There are a lot of variables here on what is and is not allowed by the electrical code. I would suggest consulting a professional in your area. For example when adding a sub panel to a separate location (commonly a detached garage) the code requirements can differ depending on how far it is from the main structure. (I forget the exact distance in question, but I think it is something like more or less than 75 ft apart)

What you do will depend on whether this is used as a main panel or sub-panel. You may need two ground rods. Would be nice to do this yourself and save $$, but I think this is one of those cases where you are better off hiring an electrician to ensure it's all done correctly and safely. You might try asking for advice on the Mike Holt electrical forum where electricians, inspectors, engineers, etc. hang out.

Have a LOCAL Electrical Contractor come out and give you an estimate.....what is needed and how it needs to be done.50A is 2/Hot, 1/Neutral, 1/GroundThe 'Ground' will most likely need to have ground wire run back to main panel PLUS the new panel will probably need to be connected to the existing ground rod...and maybe another one ............All depends on LOCAL Regulations/Requirements/PermittingThat is why it is best to have a LOCAL contractor have a look

50 Amp Power Panel | Good Sam Community

newsomer
Explorer
Aug 02, 2017
Yeah I guess we'll see about having a local professional look at it but I'm not sure it's worth the cost to run the ground wire. What a waste.
ScottG
Nomad
Aug 02, 2017
Just did this and had it inspected.
You need to run a ground wire back to the main panel and then you need to install TWO ground rods at your new panel. One should be 10 feet from the second and connected by a continuous, solid 8awg (or better) wire. The top of the ground rod must be below the surface.
This is all per the NEC.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 02, 2017
Have a LOCAL Electrical Contractor come out and give you an estimate.....what is needed and how it needs to be done.

50A is 2/Hot, 1/Neutral, 1/Ground

The 'Ground' will most likely need to have ground wire run back to main panel PLUS the new panel will probably need to be connected to the existing ground rod...and maybe another one ............

All depends on LOCAL Regulations/Requirements/Permitting

That is why it is best to have a LOCAL contractor have a look
myredracer
Explorer II
Aug 02, 2017
What you do will depend on whether this is used as a main panel or sub-panel. You may need two ground rods. Would be nice to do this yourself and save $$, but I think this is one of those cases where you are better off hiring an electrician to ensure it's all done correctly and safely.

You might try asking for advice on the Mike Holt electrical forum where electricians, inspectors, engineers, etc. hang out.
Isaac-1
Explorer
Aug 02, 2017
There are a lot of variables here on what is and is not allowed by the electrical code. I would suggest consulting a professional in your area. For example when adding a sub panel to a separate location (commonly a detached garage) the code requirements can differ depending on how far it is from the main structure. (I forget the exact distance in question, but I think it is something like more or less than 75 ft apart)
Donnoh
Explorer
Aug 02, 2017
The box you're changing out to is a temporary power outlet panel. To bring it up to code you need a separate grounding conductor going back to the main panel. Do not add another ground rod and call it good unless you want to set yourself up for a major hurt in the future.
Since this is probably replacing a very old installation, I believe it is considered grandfathered and you can tie your ground wires inside the new panel into the neutral buss bar inside the new power panel. I would check with your local electrical inspector before doing this however.
The safest thing to do would be to change out the 3 wire feed with a 4 wire feed.
sgip2000
Explorer
Aug 02, 2017
Ground rod is still required. The box being attached to the post, will bond a ground path to the post, then attached a ground wire to the ground rod from the ground bus in the panel.

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