I got a phone call from one of my tenants that she smelled something and the ceiling fan was flickering...come to find out she was using the oven for heat. I removed the panel cover and noticed the main breaker was melted a bit were it connected to the panel bars and there was blackness in the area. What could cause this ?? I thought you could run a oven for hours without mwlting the main breaker.. I got a new main breaker to install.. is there anything else I should do ?? any info would help..thx

You need to replace the panel, not just the main breaker.

I have seen this happen many times and I have never seen it happen where it did not damage the busses.

A better way of stating this is you should have the panel replaced. DO NOT even attempt to replace the main breaker without having the power company kill power to the meter first!!!

Thx for the reply ... the main breaker and the panel is still working ... what could have cause this to melt ... what should I look for in the panel to see it I have to relace it ?? I read a loose conntetion... can I get away with just leaving it or sohuld I replace the main & panel ? thx for the info

You need to replace the panel, not just the main breaker.

I have seen this happen many times and I have never seen it happen where it did not damage the busses.

A better way of stating this is you should have the panel replaced. DO NOT even attempt to replace the main breaker without having the power company kill power to the meter first!!!

If the main breaker is melted, it needs to be replaced, ASAP. or it can fail at any time and you will loose power.

It can fail in such a fashion that the fire dept will need to be called.

And I agree with Stan, if the melt point is that close the the bus bar, the bus bar metal will be affected, therefore the panel will need to be replace also.

Opening the panel when it is the process of a failure you can see is dangerous, as any minor vibration can cause a short across the two power legs, and create a dangerous arc blast, and cause severe injury, or death.

Stop asking questions and take Stans advice, replace the panel ASAP.

The condition is not getting better on its own, it is getting worse by the hour.

Do you know any resomable electriciams in the south jersy, area i can get to look at it ?? thx

If the main breaker is melted, it needs to be replaced, ASAP. or it can fail at any time and you will loose power.

It can fail in such a fashion that the fire dept will need to be called.

And I agree with Stan, if the melt point is that close the the bus bar, the bus bar metal will be affected, therefore the panel will need to be replace also.

Opening the panel when it is the process of a failure you can see is dangerous, as any minor vibration can cause a short across the two power legs, and create a dangerous arc blast, and cause severe injury, or death.

Stop asking questions and take Stans advice, replace the panel ASAP.

The condition is not getting better on its own, it is getting worse by the hour.

All electricians are reasonable, just some have different costs than others, so may cost more.

A small contractor that does residential should be fine, but I do not know of any in particular.