Category: Neutral & Ground Bars
In any electrical panel, much attention is often paid to breakers, bus-bars and load centres. But lurking behind the scenes – quietly doing their job – are the neutral and ground bars. If you’re repairing, upgrading or simply maintaining a panel, choosing the correct neutral and ground bars is critical for safety, compliance and long-term reliability.
At Electrical Liquidator, our dedicated category of Neutral & Ground Bars provides high-quality replacement parts for a wide range of panels. Whether you’re dealing with a common home load-center or an older/discontinued panel requiring a hard-to-find bar, we’ve got you covered.
What Are Neutral and Ground Bars?
Inside a panel, you’ll find metal strips or rails where the neutral (white) and grounding (bare or green) conductors are terminated. These are commonly referred to as the neutral bus bar and ground bar.
- The neutral bar is the return path for circuit current under normal operation.
- The ground bar is intended for fault current (equipment grounding conductors) so that exposed metal parts don’t become energized.
- In a main service panel the neutral and ground are typically bonded at a single point – usually the bar is bonded to the enclosure and the grounding electrode.
- In a sub-panel or feeder panel, the neutral bar must be isolated from the enclosure while the ground bar is bonded.
Here’s a visual overview:
Why These Bars Matter
Although neutral and ground bars may seem like “just metal rails”, their role is absolutely foundational for panel safety and system integrity.
- Safety of people and equipment: A proper ground bar ensures metal enclosures and exposed parts are not energized under fault conditions, offering a safe path for fault current.
- Code compliance: Modern wiring standards (such as the NEC in the U.S.) require correct separation or bonding of neutral and ground depending on panel type, correct bar termination practices, and proper installation of grounding/bonding conductors.
- Panel longevity and repairability: Older panels might have deteriorated bars (corrosion, missing lugs, bent or broken screws). Replacing the bar is often cheaper and safer than full panel replacement.
- Correct conductor termination: For example: a neutral bar may require one conductor per lug, while a ground bar may allow multiple grounds under one screw (depending on manufacturer).
How to Select the Right Neutral & Ground Bar
Here’s a practical step-by-step to ensure you pick the correct bar for your panel:
- Identify the panel brand and model – Many panels have proprietary lug patterns, screw spacing or bus-rail positions. Make sure the replacement bar matches your original mounting configuration.
- Check capacity and number of terminations – How many conductors (neutrals or grounds) must land? If you’re expanding circuits, you may need a bar with more screw terminations or a heavier gauge bar.
- Determine whether your panel is a main service or sub-panel – If it’s a main panel, the neutral and ground bars may be bonded; if it’s a sub-panel you’ll likely need separate, isolated neutral bar and bonded ground bar.
- Material & finish – Look for corrosion-resistant materials, proper terminals and secure mechanical mounting.
- Ease of installation & labeling – Good bars come with clear manufacturer labels, screw/lug access, and strong mechanical supports for reliable terminations.
- Match compatibility with other components – Ensure the bar you’re installing works with the panel’s cover, bus layout and breaker arrangement.
When & Why You Might Replace a Neutral or Ground Bar
Here are common scenarios where you’ll want to install a new neutral or ground bar:
- The original bar is damaged or bent, terminal screws missing or stripped.
- You’re expanding the panel (adding circuits) and need additional landings for neutrals or grounds.
- The panel was modified or upgraded (e.g., with solar, EV charger) and you need a proper ground bar or separated neutral/ground configuration.
- You want to bring an older panel up to safety standards, especially if the original bar is corroded or improperly installed.
- The panel cover is being replaced or the interior is being refurbished – this is a good time to upgrade all internal components, including bars.
How to Install (or Replace) a Neutral/Ground Bar
⚠️ Important: Always turn off power at the main disconnect and follow all local electrical codes. If unsure, hire a licensed electrician.
Here’s a simplified installation checklist:
- Turn off main power, verify zero voltage in panel.
- Remove panel cover safely.
- Remove old bar (if applicable), ensuring all conductors are properly tagged and freed.
- Mount the new neutral bar and/or ground bar securely to the panel enclosure, using the correct screws and bonding strap (if needed).
- For sub-panels: Ensure neutral bar is isolated; ground bar is bonded. For main panel: bar may already be bonded.
- Re-terminate neutral (white) wires on the neutral bar; ground (bare/green) wires on the ground bar. Make sure you follow one conductor per neutral lug (where required) and correct screw torque.
- Ensure that no neutral and ground share the same lug unless explicitly allowed by panel manufacturer.
- Replace cover and restore power. Label circuits and ensure everything is properly documented.
Why Buy from Electrical Liquidator
By choosing Electrical Liquidator for your neutral & ground bars you benefit from:
- A dedicated Neutral & Ground Bars category:
- Access to high-quality replacement bars suitable for a variety of panel brands and older/discontinued systems.
- Reliable parts backed by industry experience in panel internals and electrical safety.
- Clear links, product descriptions and compatibility guidance so you can choose with confidence.
FAQs – Neutral & Ground Bars
Q: Can I land both neutral and ground wires on the same bar?
A: In a main service panel, neutrals and grounds can share the same bar if the bar is bonded to the panel and designed for it. However, it’s important each neutral conductor should have its own lug, and you shouldn’t mix ground and neutral under one screw unless permitted by the panel manufacturer.
Q: Why must neutrals and grounds be separated in sub-panels?
A: Because the only permitted bonding point between neutral and ground is typically at the main service disconnect. In sub-panels, if you bond neutrals and grounds again, you risk “objectionable current” on the grounding conductors and potential safety hazards.
Q: My panel interior is old and the bar looks corroded – do I need a full panel replacement?
A: Not necessarily. If the panel is in good structural condition and breakers/bus bars are intact, replacing just the neutral or ground bar is often a cost-effective way to restore safe operation.
Final Thoughts
Neutral and ground bars may not be the flashiest component inside your panel, but when it comes to electrical safety, reliability and compliance – they matter enormously. Whether you’re repairing, retrofitting or upgrading a panel, ensuring that your bus bars are correctly selected, installed and terminated makes a difference.
Explore our full range in the Neutral & Ground Bars category. Find the perfect bar for your panel, install with confidence, and keep your electrical system safe, code-compliant and ready for the future.
Tip: When working in panels, always verify the panel type (main vs sub), number of terminations needed, and whether your bar needs to be bonded or isolated. If in doubt – stop and consult a licensed electrician.
