For the sub-panel, I ran a L1, L2, neutral and ground wires. I connected neutral and ground to the common bar in the main panel and the common bar in the sub-panel.
Yes. I connected the neutral and ground to the same bar in the subpanel. This is the way it is done in the main panel. I can change that in the subpanel pretty easy and have ground on a different bar (which I assume would be attached directly to the metal of the subpanel?), but would it make a difference since the main panel is using a shared bar for both neutral and ground?I'm not sure I'm following what you say you did. Are you saying you have the neutral and ground connected to the same bar in the subpanel? A subpanel should have separate neutral and ground bars, with the neutral bar isolated from the panel (e.g. no bonding screw).
Hmmm. I do have the pigtail from the breaker connected to the neutral bar, but there are only two lugs on the breaker. One for the pig tail and one for the hot feeding the circuit. I might not be understanding what you are saying, but the neutral from the circuit and the pigtail are both going to the neutral bar.The white breaker pigtail connects to the neutral bar. The circuit neutral connects to the breaker. Nothing upstream from the GFCI breaker can cause the problem.
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Hmmm. I do have the pigtail from the breaker connected to the neutral bar, but there are only two lugs on the breaker. One for the pig tail and one for the hot feeding the circuit. I might not be understanding what you are saying, but the neutral from the circuit and the pigtail are both going to the neutral bar.
In the main panel or disconnect, the neutral and ground are connected together. That's the only place where that should be done. Because of this, you'll often see neutral and ground wires connected to the same bar, though some people like to keep neutrals and grounds on separate bars for consistency.Yes. I connected the neutral and ground to the same bar in the subpanel. This is the way it is done in the main panel. I can change that in the subpanel pretty easy and have ground on a different bar (which I assume would be attached directly to the metal of the subpanel?), but would it make a difference since the main panel is using a shared bar for both neutral and ground?
Interesting! Ok. So on the breaker, I will actually have 2 neutral wires; 1 from the circuit and the pigtail that gets connected to the neutral bar, if I'm understanding correctly.Ok, that's your problem. The neutral from the circuit gets wired to the neutral lug on the breaker, and the pigtail goes to the neutral bar.
Won't cause your problem but not correct. Ground should go to the ground bar.I connected the neutral and ground to the same bar in the subpanel.
Actually it will cause the problem. The neutral current must flow to the neutral terminal on the GFCI so the GFCI gets to compare it to the current flowing on the live conductor to determine if there is an imbalance. Connecting the cable neutral to the ground bar rather than to the neutral terminal on the GFCI breaker bypasses the comparator measurement circuitry and causes the breaker to trip.Won't cause your problem but not correct. Ground should go to the ground bar.
The circuit white needs to go to the neutral connection on the breaker.
Makes perfect sense. Thanks to everyone for their great advice and quick response! Very much appreciate. I'll make the changes and see how it goes.Actually it will cause the problem. The neutral current must flow to the neutral terminal on the GFCI so the GFCI gets to compare it to the current flowing on the live conductor to determine if there is an imbalance. Connecting the cable neutral to the ground bar rather than to the neutral terminal on the GFCI breaker bypasses the comparator measurement circuitry and causes the breaker to trip.
Won't cause your problem but not correct. Ground should go to the ground bar.
The circuit white needs to go to the neutral connection on the breaker.
That was in reference to the sub panel supply not the branch circuit.Actually it will cause the problem. The neutral current must flow to the neutral terminal on the GFCI so the GFCI gets to compare it to the current flowing on the live conductor to determine if there is an imbalance. Connecting the cable neutral to the ground bar rather than to the neutral terminal on the GFCI breaker bypasses the comparator measurement circuitry and causes the breaker to trip.
Yes. I connected the neutral and ground to the same bar in the subpanel. This is the way it is done in the main panel. I can change that in the subpanel pretty easy and have ground on a different bar (which I assume would be attached directly to the metal of the subpanel?), but would it make a difference since the main panel is using a shared bar for both neutral and ground?
