Korey Atterberry wrote:
Hey all-

First off, I apologize for asking a question that seems to be asked
a lot around here. I've been reading posts on the subject for about 2
hrs this morning, but I'm missing something.

My situation: I have a main panel in my house, and I have an
attached garage which my dad and I put a 60amp subpanel in. Now I
know that I need to keep the neutral and ground separate in this
subpanel (I've seen LOTS on this topic), but what I'm missing is,
where do I connect the grounding bar in the subpanel? Grounding rod,
ground wire back to the main panel, don't need it?

Right now we've got (and I know our setup is wrong) the main lug
subpanel with just one bus bar, which is not connected to the case.
Both the ground and neutral wires for the branch circuits for this
panel are connected to this bar. We have two hot wires and one
neutral run back to the main panel where I have a 60amp breaker. The
inspector has been out and given the system his blessing (which makes
me doubt him a bit). My dad did most of the work, I had second
thoughts after the inspection, so that's why I'm here.

So to correct the situation, I presume I need to get a grounding bar
kit for the subpanel and hook the branch circuit grounds to it
(keeping the neutral isolated from the ground). But what do I hook
the grounding bar to? Do I need a grounding rod or a ground wire back
to the main panel?

Thank you in advance,
Korey

You have three wires from the service panel to the subpanel? Is the
neutral wire insulated? Is this a multiwire cable or individual wires
in conduit, or individual wires taped together in a bundle, or what?

Let's assume for a minute you have 2 black wires and a white or gray
wire. Run a bare or green wire back to the service panel, and if
possible run it with the old wires (but if you can't don't worry about
it.) Use this new wire for the ground and separate the grounds from the
neutrals in the subpanel. You'll probably need a grounding kit. Don't
forget to remove the bonding screw or strap that currently grounds your
neutral bar to the metal subpanel cabinet.

If you have 3 insulated black wires (or 2 blacks and a green), wrap
white tape around the ends of the neutral wire and proceed as above.

If you have 2 black wires and a bare wire, I'm not sure what the best
way to handle it is without seeing it. You need another insulated wire
for the neutral.

Bob