Main breaker blew
SCOUT5
Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
I was getting ready to go deer hunting this morning when I smelled something, Ended up being the main breaker, it's cooked. I had to throw it off three times to get it to disconnect, thought I may have to pull the meter. The electric company came out pulled the meter and put in a stop so I could work on it.
Now the fun begins. It's an old Westinghouse 200 amp box it seems they only made for a few years for the mobile home market. My house while enhanced and remodeled came in two halves. I couldn't find a replacement even though two supply shops tried. I appreciate their efforts BTW. I found a used one on that site for $45 and a new one in an open box for $300. In the pictures the used one looked as good as the opened one so...... The connection buses are compromised too. I unbolted them and took them with me but I can't find them anywhere including online. I'm going to buy some plate aluminum and make some new ones I reckon.
One 20 amp breaker received some heat damage so I'll replace it. If I hadn't been home I believe the house would have burned. Anyway it will take six days to get the replacement breaker. In the mean time I guess I'll run the generator a couple of times a day to keep the refrigerator and freezer good, and to type GB stuff 😎. I can run a propane heater to stay warm though today that isn't an issue as it's almost 70 degrees. I have a Coleman gas camping stove and electric and gas lanterns.
I was thinking I may have to replace the box. What a pain. Hoping what I am doing goes well and we stay safe without replacing the service.
Comments
That is a crappy job. Good luck and your lucky the house didn't burn down.
Wow, close call, glad you were home and caught it. I hope your electric utility is easier to work with than ours. Around here, since they pulled the meter, they might just make you bring the whole system up to code before they'll power you back up. I have a friend that has helped several people change out panels hot because of that,
I had a main breaker that started buzzing under a load a few years ago.Replaced it and so far so good.
Change out the whole box.. the connectors being bad will arc off . not that bad of a job to change it out.
I was looking at it awhile ago thinking about swapping the whole box. The damaged connectors are replaceable and I should be able to fabricate new ones using the old ones for a pattern, they're not complicated. If it can be put back together and be safe I'll go from there. Down the road I need to replace the electric furnace and central air. I may have the box swapped out when I do those. If for some reason I don't think it's safe I will swap the whole service but I think I have what I need.
Keep in mind, your Coleman stuff puts out CO and other dangerous gasses.
Your electric company may balk at a non-professional installation. Frankly, calling an electrician may be cheaper in the long run.
Exactly. Any major change outs the licensed electrician is used. If something caught fire forbid someone got hurt and it was investigated on a fire, a rigged up electrical box is not good.
Close call indeed. Wow. I'm thinking it's time to call a licensed Pro.
Change the whole box since you already have the meter pulled. Or do you want to rig up more lugs when you have another failure. Or waste more time looking for obsolete breakers.
I would replace the whole box, last year we did for 700 bucks, you might need to fix sheetrock around the install if not a direct match but a 200 amp panel at HD or Lowes is still around 3oo dollars and if your breakers are good......
If you know what you are doing and the meter is isolated I would do it yourself.
Scout, don’t mean to scare you, but read this:
(I have been a Licensed master electrician in Virginia for over 40 years.)
(I’ve changed out several old panels and found problems that were of imminent danger.)
https://pennaelectric.com/electrician-blog/unsafe-outdated-electrical-panels/
Pushmatic (Westinghouse)
Between 1950 and 1980, Pushmatic panels were widely used and installed in homes. What makes this brand of panel unique from other circuit breaker panels is that, rather than having switches that flip left and right, the panel uses rectangular buttons to be pushed in order to activate and deactivate circuits.
While the Pushmatic panel itself is not as great a fire hazard as the panels mentioned above, it is obsolete since the company went out of business. Finding parts is nearly impossible and, if they can be found, are extremely expensive. Any panel that is old and outdated is naturally prone to having worn out, hence unreliable, components and parts.
Even without recalls or reports of fire hazards, old and outdated electrical equipment should, at the very least, be inspected–and ultimately replaced. Panels that are old and difficult to maintain should be upgraded and easily maintained in order to ensure the safety of your home.
Thanks Jim. It's not that old but it is 30 years old.. I appreciate all the advice folks have given. I did read up on the panel I have and while not considered dangerous it is recommended to replace it to a more modern service as parts are not made anymore and they are getting old anyway.
The only thing damaged is the main breaker and the connections to the hot buss bar, one 20 amp breaker seen some heat and I'll replace that out of caution. The connections are bolt on replaceable as long as the right material is used it would be a new connection. I am going to replace the service as obviously parts are an issue. I did find other main breakers once I got the correct numbers. Still they are pricey and in the long run replacing the service is best.
While I could replace the service myself I prefer to pay the freight and have an electrician do it for liability sake as I'll be selling the house in a few years. I also want to replace the furnace, central air and water heater before selling.
All my life I've done almost everything myself not including medical care, dental work, and hiring attorneys. While I have had an auto mechanic do a couple of things when I didn't have time I've never hired a plumber or an electrician. Hiring tradesmen is foreign territory.
Have to agree replace it