system
December 19, 2004, 12:00am
1
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Found this on today’s inspection. The 100 amp main breaker was melting as well as the conductor sheathing.
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system
December 19, 2004, 12:00am
2
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Classic loose screw.
How many good electricians have a torque screwdriver?
system
December 19, 2004, 12:00am
3
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
So that’s what a loose screw looks like. I had no idea of the cause, only that there was a problem.
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system
December 19, 2004, 12:00am
4
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jeff,
See the color of that screw? That's from overheating.
Instead of saying it's a "loose screw", I say 'it's a loose / bad connection.'
PROBABLY caused by a loose screw, however, it could have had the screw over-torqued, driving the screw right through the aluminum - the screw would not be loose, the conductor would be loose. Either way, it is a "bad connection".
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system
December 19, 2004, 12:00am
5
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I had already completed the report prior to posting this photo or I may have mentioned that the possible cause was a "bad connection."
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system
December 20, 2004, 12:00am
6
Originally Posted By: jwortham This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I use my laser thermometer to check breaker connections.
You can get evidence of overheating and a loose connection before the insulation begins to melt.
Anything approx. 10% outside an average for all the others is something I wouid want to check further.