What the Code Actually Says · Episode 06

Subpanel Bonding

Neutrals and grounds meet once — at the service.
NEC Article 250
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The bottom line

Neutral and ground bond together exactly once: at the service or the first means of disconnect. Everywhere downstream — every subpanel — the neutral floats (isolated bar), grounds land on the can, and the bonding screw comes out. Bond twice and normal current rides the ground.

Code sections

NEC 250.24(A)(5)

The grounded (neutral) conductor shall not be connected to normally non-current-carrying metal downstream of the service disconnect.

NEC 250.142(B)

Load side of the service: the neutral is not re-grounded — same rule from the equipment side.

NEC 408.40

Panelboard frames bonded to an EGC; in a subpanel the neutral bar floats, the ground bar bonds to the can.

NEC 250.6

Systems shall be arranged to prevent objectionable current — current doesn't pick one path home, it takes all of them.

NEC 110.3(B)

Same panel, same green screw — its location (service vs. subpanel) decides whether it goes in.

Tools & parts

Main bonding jumper / listed ground bar kit. Any hand tool = Klein Tools.