Corrosion on the busbar

[Sam Morris]

Light corrosion on the busbar, would you say anything, looks OK, but may need to be safe and report it ?

[Jerry Peck]

Sam,

I trust you wrote up the neutrals and grounds in the same terminals.

Add that rust and corrosion to your sentence for repair.

[CHARLIE VAN FLEET]

and is that a sylvania or zinsco breaker box--cant see name ???

[Sam Morris]

and is that a sylvania or zinsco breaker box--cant see name ???
No its a Bryant

[Jerry Peck]

Add that rust and corrosion to your sentence for repair.

I was waiting for someone to ask: Repair? Is there a repair - a proper repair?

Not that I know of, maybe Bill or one of the other electricians knows of a proper repair for that.

I'm thinking "repair" is spelled "replacement", as in 'replace that old one with a good one from a salvaged panel which is not corroded.

[Bill Kriegh]

I'm thinking repair = change the panel.

Hard to tell but it sure looks like something is going on with the main breaker lugs.

A new panel would have a buss bar that is most likely going to be an alloy that is very much less likely to react with the combination of what looks like old electrical alloy aluminum bar, zinc plated screws and hold downs, and copper wire; along with the corrosive properties of moisture in contact with the cinder block.

IMO,the panel should be mounted on a backboard to eliminate direct contact with the wall material.

Personally, with the amount of corrosion visibly present I wouldn't trust what's inside the breakers.

[Jerry Peck]

Bill,

I know some electricians keep old panels they've removed to use for good parts, but you wouldn't waste your time on that as the panel is likely beyond the repair point.

I hadn't thought about the breakers - good point.

[Rollie Meyers]

I call the BR panels "Zinsco II", but in addition to the corrosion, neutrals, & grounding conductors under 1 screw, the Siemens breakers don't belong in there either. Replacement is the only option but there has be a reason for the rust. Is there water infiltration issues?

[Jerry Peck]

There is a PVC pipe running behind the top of the panel (and the panel is already spaced out from the wall), but I don't see signs of water running down the wall below the panel.

The wall area next to the side of the panel looks darker, is though the wall is moist there?

[david shapiro]

One additional reason to change the panel is that the cabinet is unlikely to have room for electronic breakers, and if any circuits are added, they'll want that option. Even if certain equipment is replaced, depending on the jurisdiction.