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    poolman64's Avatar
    poolman64 Posts: 41, Reputation: 3
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Aug 11, 2010, 04:25 PM
    Buss bars in main entrance panel
    I have a main entrance panel that is fed by an overhead line, which then branches to 4 sub panels which are fed underground. There are only 4 double pole breakers in this panel.
    One of the breakers will not stay seated on the lugs it connects to in the main panel, and I keep losing power to my well sub panel. I tried a new double pole breaker thinking the existing breaker may not fit the lugs properly anymore, but still have the same problem.

    Is there any way to repair this or am I looking at replacing the whole panel? I can't read the name on the existing panel anymore, but it uses Murray circuit breakers.

    Your help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    Aug 11, 2010, 06:02 PM

    "may not fit the lugs properly"? Why? Are the lugs pitted from arcing? The only valid reasons for the breaker not fitting properlly are as follows... 1 the buss is damaged or warped from sever overheating... 2 the breaker you are using is wrong. Subtle differences in a breaker will cause it to fit incorrectly in panels it's not designed for. Are the other panels the same? Is the situation similar in the other 3 panels?
    poolman64's Avatar
    poolman64 Posts: 41, Reputation: 3
    Junior Member
    		  
    #3

    Aug 11, 2010, 07:12 PM
    Thanks for the response. The other 3 panels appear to be much newer than this main entrance panel, which is mounted on a pole out in the middle of the yard. All 4 breakers in this box are Murray breakers, and the new one I purchased matches the old one exactly. Yes, the lugs appear to be pitted on this one circuit that goes to my well house and pump. I suspect this entrance panel is at least 25 years old if that makes any difference.

    Can an electrician replace the bus bars or would it be better to just have the whole panel replaced?
    spanky917's Avatar
    spanky917 Posts: 42, Reputation: 5
    Junior Member
    		  
    #4

    Aug 11, 2010, 07:21 PM

    Replacing the panel will probably be best... but... if it's outside, it sounds really old. Your local inspectors may require much, much more... and they might be correct.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    Aug 12, 2010, 02:35 AM
    The Inspector MIGHT be correct?


    Quote Originally Posted by spanky917 View Post
    Your local inspectors may require much, much more.... and they might be correct.
    If the Inspector is not correct, I will be sure to enlighten him/her.
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