Circuit Breaker Panel Problem - arcing between busbar and breaker - heating and melting plastic

This video taken with the panel totally removed from service -- DO NOT ATTEMPT WORK ON AN EXPOSED PANEL UNLESS YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO DO SO - YOU COULD BE ELECTROCUTED AND DIE. This Westinghouse circuit breaker panel was installed in a new home in 1993. In July 2011, it had a failure of the busbar contact with three circuit breakers. This caused a burning plastic smell and the warming of the area where the problem occurred. The electrician said he saw problems like this about once a week and that I had to replace the entire panel. He did not single out this brand as a problem. The cost to replace the panel itself loaded with new breakers and to pay the city electrical permit was $900. The city pulled the electric meter so this work could be done. Westinghouse sold the panel making business and it is now owned by Eaton Corp. Eaton says " There is no recurring problem with this product. Occassionally we get requests for replacement breakers or covers for the old Westinghouse loadcenters, but I've very rarely heard of any problems with them. Also, there is no program in place for reimbursement for repair costs." If you have had a problem with a "Westinghouse" circuit breaker panel made around 1993, please post a comment here. There were a rash of problems years ago with panels made by a different manufacturer.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Circuit breaker
• circuit breaker panel
• circuit breaker enclosure
• loadcenter
• electrical
• busbar
• Westinghouse
• home wiring
• electrical service
• hot circuit breaker
• smell from circuit breaker
• fuse
• circuit breaker complaint

[DBTNVideo]

I sent this photographic information about the panel to Underwriter's Laboratory. They found no problems with the panel as designed and indicated it was my singular problem. DBTNVideo.

[DBTNVideo]

Thanks for the comment. I am no electrician, but it seems common practice to have breakers of different amps on the same panel - like you say - textbook says OK. Absolutely agree about the heating. Aside from electricians, how many homeowners ever think about inspecting a breaker box? You just assume it is fine like you do the wires and the outlets. This was a Westinghouse (now Eaton) box.

[Inasianow]

I have a Westinghouse service panel with the same problem. Several of the circuits intermittently open due to dirt/corrosion/ arcing where the circuit breakers attach to the busbars. I have had to clean the circuit breakers and busbars multiple times.

This house is located on a Pacific island and corrosion of electrical terminals is a frequent problem here, so don't know if this problem is limited to Westinghouse service panels. The age is undetermined, but looks , like it could be 1993 circa.

[abm1]

I'm having this problem now with a Crouse-Hinds box and a single pole 15A breaker. It failed, I replaced the breaker after cleaning the tab to which it connected and heard the arcing the next day. Not looking forward to spending $900 or more to replace the box.

[johnsilvaN3AM]

Thanks for the video. I suspect that a faulty breaker connection like the one you experienced will also be the source of severe radio frequency interference, most notably on the AM broadcast or shortwave bands.

[cultofdeath79]

i did have a breaker that cracked & sparked then went straight off when i switched it on not sure if it was the same problem though (had a bad landlord who didn't seem to care) moved out of that property pretty quick lol

[albduke1]

Im an electrcian.i noticed you had higher amp breakers on same buss.text book there should be no problems but those loads can heat those devices up overtime may cause failure.home owners should have panels and outlets inspected but nobody does.$900 for 200 amp. Is good price.i have never seen G E panel fail dont mean they dont if you have ac,elect kit.etc get panels checked ever few years.that why there are codes when failure happens it is kept to min. Damage