Same scorch, two panels

**John Kogel** · 07-12-2010, 08:23 PM

Pic 1 is from a unit I inspected last year, in a 15 year old condo building. The 2nd pic is from the unit next door, same scorch mark.
Could this be installer error, loose connections?

Both right side brkrs were 30 amp supplying the dryer.
Bad batch of breakers?

Similar Threads:

**Dom D'Agostino** · 07-13-2010, 06:22 AM

Looks like a breaker may have removed. Possible nearby lightning strike or other strong surge.

**John Kogel** · 07-13-2010, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Dom D'Agostino

Looks like a breaker may have removed. Possible nearby lightning strike or other strong surge.

In both panels, the 30 amp breaker for the dryer was replaced with a new breaker further down on the bus bar, and the adjacent breakers on the left side were also moved, apparently by the same repair person, judging from the similar notations on the legends. It's a mystery.

Lightning strikes to buildings are rare in these parts, too wet for much lightning, lots of trees on the surrounding hills to catch the strike if there is one.

Denny Waters · 08-17-2010, 09:51 AM

Perhaps paint contamination of the buses?

Roger Frazee · 08-17-2010, 11:58 AM

John

Those are commander bolt on breakers. Looks like possible replacement breakers have been installed. Not sure what the breakers for the dryers were??

Anyway this is very similar to heat damage caused by a failed breaker, though possible to be loose connection. I've seen this same thing in some old style A slimline challenger breakers and murray breakers.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say failed breaker. Any history you can tell us ? Like tripping problems when operating the dryers?

Usually a complaint about the breaker tripping out during use of the dryer is common. In most cases the breaker was burned but occassionally the freakin bus was melted also. A loose connection is generally rare with a bolt on style breaker...but also you can strip the threads if you use the grunt method for tightening the hold down screw leaving an iffy connection at best.

So hard to say.

I would also be worried about keeping those panels in service...busses look like they took a lot of heat.

James Duffin · 08-17-2010, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Roger Frazee

John

I would also be worried about keeping those panels in service...busses look like they took a lot of heat.

I agree....that is a bad looking bus bar!

**John Kogel** · 08-17-2010, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Roger

I'm going to go out on a limb and say failed breaker. Any history you can tell us ? Like tripping problems when operating the dryers?

No knowledge, no help from the sellers.

Originally Posted by Roger

I would also be worried about keeping those panels in service...busses look like they took a lot of heat.

Originally Posted by James Duffin

I agree....that is a bad looking bus bar!

In both cases, I called for an electrician to check the panels over and verify the bus bars are safe.

At least one electrician thinks they're fine.

James Duffin · 08-17-2010, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by John Kogel

No knowledge, no help from the sellers.

In both cases, I called for an electrician to check the panels over and verify the bus bars are safe.

At least one electrician thinks they're fine.

The electrician is the last man in....you're good to go! Did he just say it or write it down?