Cutler Hammer Electrical Panel Fire & Failure Investigation - Field Report
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Field report of Cutler Hammer electrical panel failure
"The pool maintenance guy was there when he saw smoke coming from the panel and he shut off the main breaker."
Possible CH circuit breaker or bus failure?
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This article describes and includes photographs of a Cutler Hammer electrical panel fire that the electrician suspects was due to a faulty circuit breaker.
Readers of this article should also see SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS. This website provides information about a variety of electrical hazards in buildings, with articles focused on the inspection, detection, and reporting of electrical hazards and on proper electrical repair methods for unsafe
electrical conditions.
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Field Report: Cutler Hammer Electrical Panel Fire, Photos, Causation (?)
I have some more pics from this CH meltdown
My first objective was to install the new load center, the burnout started with the two pole 15 that feeds a 20 year old pool pump. I am going tomorrow to meet the inspector for the new load center and that is when I am going to look into the "why" this Cutler Hammer electrical panel burned.
But I suspect its from a fault at the swimming pool motor, and possibly because the age of the panel, corrosion, (only a couple miles from the ocean). But I'll know more tomorrow and let you know. The homeowner is elderly. The pool maintenance guy was there when he saw smoke coming from the panel and he shut off the main breaker.
So after megging the pool motor and the pool feeder I've determined it had to be a loose or defective breaker that started arcing out of control because the motor is fine and the feeders are fine.
Like I mentioned earlier this home is only a couple miles from the ocean, the breaker had been installed for over 25 years. So I would guess that the breaker was loose or had loosened up. Also something I never liked about CA is this panel sat in the sun all day long, so maybe that had to do with it as well.
- Brian Kessler, Brooks Electric, 714-883-0894, Email: brian@brooks4electric.com
NOTE: while the views above are by an experienced, licensed electrician, this field report does not include analysis nor conclusions by a professional arson investigator.
Aluminum Wiring Information Website Aluminum Electrical Wiring Hazards and Repairs: in-depth authoritative info, photos, documents including selection of proper vs. ineffective repair methods. E.g.: Ideal 65 "Twister" purple connector fails in field and lab testing with aluminum wire.
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Circuit Breaker, a bad one fails to trip failure at aluminum bus-to-circuit breaker connection - field report and photographs
CORROSION in ELECTRICAL PANELS, Daniel Friedman, 1992, 2009, discuss the sources of water or moisture intrusion in electrical panels and causes of rust or other safety concerns.
DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS: if you need to hire an electrician with special skills or familiarity with aluminum electrical wiring, FPE Stab-Lok replacement panels, Zinsco replacement panels, etc. here is a directory of professionals. DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS - Aluminum Wiring - Specialists in repairing aluminum electrical wiring DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS - FPE Zinsco - Specialists in repairing or replacing FPE, Zinsco, and other problem equipment
Electrical Panels, How to Inspect in buildings, safety for electrical inspectors, electrical panel, fusing, wiring defects, defective products. Inspection Class Presentation
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Website Stab-Lok Circuit Breaker Panel Hazards Latent fire hazards, in-depth authoritative research, documents, advice on Stab-Lok electric panel and circuit breaker failures and what to do when this equipment is found in buildings.
Siemens Electric Panel Fires: field report and possible defective equipment - article withdrawn, field reports wanted
Square D Circuit Breaker Recalls, announced by the US CPSC, recalls include a Square D GFCI circuit breaker distributed by Square D, and a Counterfeit Square-D circuit breaker sold through Scott Electric
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Thanks to reader Brian Kessler, Brooks Electric, 714 883 0894, email: brian@brooks4electric.com for discussing his field experience with Cutler Hammer Electrical Panel failures, February 2011.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop. The Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
Recommended books on electrical inspection, electrical wiring, electrical problem diagnosis, and electrical repair can be found in the Electrical Books section of the InspectAPedia Bookstore. (courtesy of Amazon.com
Aluminum Wiring Information Website Aluminum Electrical Wiring Hazards and Repairs: in-depth authoritative info, photos, documents including selection of proper vs. ineffective repair methods. E.g.: Ideal 65 "Twister" purple connector fails in field and lab testing with aluminum wire.
Circuit Breaker, a bad one fails to trip failure at aluminum bus-to-circuit breaker connection - field report and photographs
Electrical Panels, How to Inspect in buildings, safety for electrical inspectors, electrical panel, fusing, wiring defects, defective products. Inspection Class Presentation
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok Circuit Breaker Panel Hazards Website - Latent fire hazards, in-depth authoritative research, documents, advice on Stab-Lok electric panel and circuit breaker failures and what to do when this equipment is found in buildings.
"Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
"How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
"Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985.
"Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
"How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
"Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40.
"Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.
"Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original Journal article as it contains unsafe inaccuracies]
"Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries.
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