How to Install a Negative Bus
- 1). Contact your local electricity supplier and have them turn the power off at the street. Make sure they confirm the power is off with two different amp meters. Double-check the power is off by touching a non-contact voltage detector to the wire's insulation. Skipping this step can be life threatening as the main supply wires contain dangerous amounts of power.
- 2). Loosen the large terminal at the top of the neutral bus bar with a screwdriver. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation off the white wire coming from the electrical meter. Insert the white wire into the large terminal and tighten it.
- 3). Count the number of breakers on the right side of the panel. Loosen that number of neutral terminals on the right side neutral bus bar. Insert each circuit's white wire into its own neutral terminal and tighten it. Wires should never go across the panel. Try to maintain the wires in a neat configuration.
- 4). Repeat the process used to connect the right side breakers with the left side breaker's neutral wires and left side neutral bus bar.
- 5). Loosen one more terminal on the neutral bus bar on the same side that the main ground wire enters the panel. Insert the bare ground wire into this terminal and tighten it.
- 6). Contact the local building authority to inspect your wiring before turning on the power. This step is important for your family's safety.
