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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Oregon
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    2,365

    Default Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    This is an interesting one - 1992 Sylvania panel and a few of the lower attachment points on the bus bar are scorched and deformed. From looking at the overall installation and the house it seems unlikely that these ever had anything attached to them. It was a pretty big panel only a 1300sf house so there were a lot of empty spots.

    I'm guessing the installer or someone working inside shorted something out across those scorched attachment points but who knows? Any ideas?

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    28,042

    Default Re: Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    Any ideas?

    Idea #1 - Time to replace the panel.

    Idea #2 - Way past time to replace the panel.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Lansdale, PA
    Posts
    876

    Default Re: Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    Could very well have been shorted while working on the panel, but something would have had to made good contact with all three slots since they are quite melted. Also, the bottom breaker was present at the time because you can see the soot marks on it.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    The scorch seems to radiate from the uppermost position, and then maybe molten plastic took out the breakers below?

    Maybe Billy Bob tried to backfeed the panel with jumper cables and a generator? Yeah, that could be it.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Oregon
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    Default Re: Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    Yeah, the deformation of the attachment points is what really got me. I've seen scorching in panels before and it's usually just surface soot or discoloration on the metal. This looks like someone went after it with an arc-welder.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    No. San Diego Co., CA
    Posts
    562

    Default Re: Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    'Scorched' just doesn't do that bad boy justice. The panel's 'toast'...


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    28,042

    Default Re: Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    Quote Originally Posted by Ian Page View Post
    'Scorched' just doesn't do that bad boy justice. The panel's 'toast'...
    That 'toast' has been burnt, someone left it in the 'toaster' a bit too long.

    If it was an FPE it may have been someone arc welding with a 20 amp breaker circuit ...

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Md and or PA
    Posts
    137

    Default Re: Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    I can think many issues that could have ,may have, or did that to those buss bars, BUT there is no need to do a forensic analysis. Call for a complete panel replacement cut and dry.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,365

    Default Re: Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    Quote Originally Posted by jack davenport View Post
    I can think many issues that could have ,may have, or did that to those buss bars, BUT there is no need to do a forensic analysis. Call for a complete panel replacement cut and dry.
    Yep.... done. Just trying to learn for next time.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Massacusetts
    Posts
    153

    Default Re: Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    The scorch seems to radiate from the uppermost position, and then maybe molten plastic took out the breakers below?

    Maybe Billy Bob tried to backfeed the panel with jumper cables and a generator? Yeah, that could be it.

    I think you might be right about the jumper cables (even I could not come up with that one)

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    The scorch seems to radiate from the uppermost position, and then maybe molten plastic took out the breakers below?

    Maybe Billy Bob tried to backfeed the panel with jumper cables and a generator? Yeah, that could be it.

    I think you might be right about the jumper cables (even I could not come up with that one)


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Wenatchee Wa
    Posts
    301

    Default Re: Scorched bus - 1990s Sylvania Panel

    I have a panel and the breaker that was the culprit that has that same type of damage. I use it in classes.

    I am guessing there were breakers there at some point and obviously they are toast also and now gone.

    Don Hester
    NCW Home Inspections, LLC
    Wa. St. Licensed H I #647, WSDA #80050, http://www.ncwhomeinspections.com

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