Green Oxidation in Service Panel

[Lon Henderson]

I saw something new today in a rural inspection. The home is a manufactured 2002 modular home. The pre-installed main panel is in the laundry. The exposed copper wiring is covered in a heavy green oxidation that is thick enough to flake off some. The sellers had an electrician evaluate it. They said he brushed it off some, but I saw little evidence of that. They said that he sprayed "something" on the wiring to prevent further oxidation. And in general, wasn't very concerned.

At first, I thought this might be associated with using some harsh cleaning products regularly in the laundry room. But then, I found a Well Pro pellet chlorinator and charcoal filter system. The seller says that the well water has naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide and the Well Pro system is used to neutralize the rotten egg smell. So, while I'm curious about the possible connections with all of this to the oxidized wires, my biggest concern is whether this heavy oxidation is compromising the wiring in the service panel. Oh, and two of the GFCI breakers in the panel will not respond to their test button. Maybe, some cause and effect there, too. Could this oxidation be happening inside the breakers?

I'm going to call for another electrician to evaluate this, in addition to making the needed repairs.

[Gary Burnett]

Lon, I believe the Well Pro pellet chlorinator chlorine is the culprit. I have found oxidation in several panels in garages where the owner stores the pool chlorine or lawn fertilizer close to the panel. I would imagine the vapors would affect the metal on the breakers as well as the copper wiring.

[Matt Bezanson]

Lon, I believe the Well Pro pellet chlorinator chlorine is the culprit. I have found oxidation in several panels in garages where the owner stores the pool chlorine or lawn fertilizer close to the panel. I would imagine the vapors would affect the metal on the breakers as well as the copper wiring.
I've seen this and worse in rooms where swimming pool equipment was operating. High humidity and poor ventilation contribute to the problem. I would have the electrician looking at other wiring devices in that same space; receptacles, light switches, etc.

[Lon Henderson]

Good info. I've seen one pool house in the last ten years.

[Chris Roth]

I would have to agree with Matt on this. War story here. When I was a maintenance tech for Hilton Garden Inn's in Indy, we had the same problem with the electrical service panel. The chlorine vapors got so bad that we had to shut down the pool and spa area hire a certified electrician remove the service panel move it to a storage room that the vapors were not present. Nice project that took 2 days to complete. Oh yes, vapors.....I had to increase the ventilation system in the mechanical pool room because when they built the place guess they forgot to include the fresh air intake with auto shut and open louvers. It will take a long time for the electrician to clean the wires and the branch wiring and coat them with a product that is designed for that purpose.


I've seen this and worse in rooms where swimming pool equipment was operating. High humidity and poor ventilation contribute to the problem. I would have the electrician looking at other wiring devices in that same space; receptacles, light switches, etc.

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I would have to agree with Matt on this. &nbsp;War story here. &nbsp;When I was a maintenance tech for Hilton Garden Inn's in Indy, we had the same problem with the electrical service panel. The chlorine vapors got so bad that we had to shut down the pool and spa area hire a certified electrician remove the service panel move it to a storage room that the vapors were not present. Nice project that took 2 days to complete. &nbsp;Oh yes, vapors.....I had to increase the ventilation system in the mechanical pool room because when they built the place guess they forgot to include the fresh air intake with auto shut and open louvers. &nbsp;It will take a long time for the electrician to clean the wires and the branch wiring and coat them with a product that is designed for that purpose. &nbsp;<br><br>
I've seen this and worse in rooms where swimming pool equipment was operating. High humidity and poor ventilation contribute to the problem. I would have the electrician looking at other wiring devices in that same space; receptacles, light switches, etc.<br>
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