Question about Breaker Box problem

[Olustee bus]

sometime ago, something happened in my homes breaker box. There has been an arc at my Ground Bar that melted a section. It has not been melted in two but about an inch of it has been melted on the edge near where the neutral connects.

I have not had problems as far as I know.

I am going to have an electrician look at it soon.

Do you think I will have to have the box changed out.I do know there are a lot of circuits that are dead because of the sorry electricians who wired a new section of the house about 12 to 15 years ago.

Any ideas on what I could expect as far as cost.

[Mike Mercury]

[MadInNc]

Originally Posted by Olustee bus

sometime ago, something happened in my homes breaker box. There has been an arc at my Ground Bar that melted a section. It has not been melted in two but about an inch of it has been melted on the edge near where the neutral connects.

I have not had problems as far as I know.

I am going to have an electrician look at it soon.

Do you think I will have to have the box changed out.I do know there are a lot of circuits that are dead because of the sorry electricians who wired a new section of the house about 12 to 15 years ago.

Any ideas on what I could expect as far as cost.

Paging @aerovette


… if panel is not to old they should be able to get new innards

[DJ_Critterus]

Given his vast knowledge and experience in the electrical field, I'm surprised Aerovette hasn't provided his advice yet.

[Rodnok1]

Overloads and loose connection biggest cause of arcing then of course dead shorts.
My guess is they left something looseand arced under load.
Neutral bars are readily available somif that the only damage it can be replaced.
If they want to throwa new box in costs will be high, wouldn't suprise me if new box was 2500.
Over the years I've found numerous outlets and breaker connections that were not thight and caused arcs. Hell I've had extension cords arc when the wore out and ends melted. An almost new dryer outlet started to melt the connections inside(it was defective and had broken internally).

[Strats-N-Vettes]

Originally Posted by MadInNc

Paging @aerovette


… if panel is not to old they should be able to get new innards

Correct...and new panels are big bucks, and I mean crazy money.
Panel grounds lose connections, this creates arcing and burning.
It is not uncommon for us to find these kind of problems residential or commercial.
And...you'd be surprised (or not) how many burnt wires I have seen that was a fire just waiting to happen.

Our guys are instructed to clear power from service disconnect; then tighten every wire, connection, allen screw, etc.... before service of any sort, every time.

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by Strats-N-Vettes

Our guys are instructed to clear power from service disconnect; then tighten every wire, connection, allen screw, etc.... before service of any sort, every time.

[mrvette]

Wonder when house was built, if in early 70's a fair chance of aluminum wiring....known for bad news.....especially with breakers not designed for it, they used same breakers/terminals barrier strips as was used for copper wiring.....my house built in 70's has/had aluminum wiring, but over the years, about 95% of it has been replaced, certainly anything carrying more than a light bulb....

As for breaker box, I just went to store and bought a new 30 circuit Square D box with breakers to suit my install.....spend less than 400 bux back when....today about a grand should cover it.....200 amp service.....

[Rodnok1]

Originally Posted by mrvette

Wonder when house was built, if in early 70's a fair chance of aluminum wiring....known for bad news.....especially with breakers not designed for it, they used same breakers/terminals barrier strips as was used for copper wiring.....my house built in 70's has/had aluminum wiring, but over the years, about 95% of it has been replaced, certainly anything carrying more than a light bulb....

As for breaker box, I just went to store and bought a new 30 circuit Square D box with breakers to suit my install.....spend less than 400 bux back when....today about a grand should cover it.....200 amp service.....

Those houses with aluminum wiring are a nightmare especially if someone has replaced anything with non aluminum compatible stuff. We patched in copper in a few, can't remember the name of the connector used, basically a lug IIRC. That was back in the 80s.
Have repaired a few since with aluminum. Aluminum wire isn't the problem it always the connections. If aluminum was the problem they wouldn't sell still. I've used it for feeders many times as the cost is optimal just need to know what you're doing.

[Aerovette]

Simple.

Jump across the damage with these...

[Aerovette]

By the way, I feel it is worth mentioning that I am stepping away from the electrical bidness. I was concerned about what I would do with my tools of the trade. It is a really odd coincidence, but the jig I had for splicing extension cords is pretty sturdy. In fact, sturdy enough that I was able to repurpose it. I bolted my Charger's engine to it, and it makes a nice stand for disassembly and assembly. Whooda thunk it? Pics to follow.

[09CTSV]

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

Those houses with aluminum wiring are a nightmare especially if someone has replaced anything with non aluminum compatible stuff. We patched in copper in a few, can't remember the name of the connector used, basically a lug IIRC. That was back in the 80s.
Have repaired a few since with aluminum. Aluminum wire isn't the problem it always the connections. If aluminum was the problem they wouldn't sell still. I've used it for feeders many times as the cost is optimal just need to know what you're doing.

Working in the Aluminum industry, you can figure the majority of our wiring is Aluminum. If it is properly maintained it lasts a very long time. When doing the connections we use Alcoa #2 for the connection. It works well for AL to AL or copper to AL.