Burnt 70s era CH panels - a persistent problem?

[James L]

I've seen a number of 20-space CH panels, with the main going across the top 4 spaces, from the late 60s or early 70s, that have been burnt on the bus, the main lugs, etc, and wondering if anybody else has encountered the same issue numerous times in these panels.

It seems I see this two or three times a year, probably seen it a dozen times or so in the last 5 Years. I've don't recall seeing it in any other CH panels except the 20-space with the 4-space main across the top.

On this one, someone previously moved the affected branch circuit breakers into some twins, and put a 100-amp breaker at the bottom to make a new main.

This one will get replaced on Tuesday

 

[ptonsparky]

We use CH predominantly.

We have seen the issue you have but don't know if it is any worse than other makes. QO was very popular for grain bin systems in the area so I see a lot of QO failures. It would be an easier distinction to make if the brands were evenly divide among at least three.

 

[ATSman]

Looks like rust/ corrosion to me rather than burn marks from overheating
Is this outdoor eguip Nema 3R ?
Rubber seals gone letting in excess moisture ?
Maybe recommend installing space heaters but prob cheaper to replace
Then again
It’s 50yrs old , way past it’s useful life!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[James L]

Looks like rust/ corrosion to me rather than burn marks from overheating
Is this outdoor eguip Nema 3R ?
Rubber seals gone letting in excess moisture ?
Maybe recommend installing space heaters but prob cheaper to replace
Then again
It’s 50yrs old , way past it’s useful life!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's an indoor panel
There's some corrosion on the wires at the top, as if there's been some moisture in there.

I think the picture is a bit wonky. I used my flash and it doesn't really show true. It's burnt, for sure.

50 years is a good life out of some equipment, and I've considered that it's just an old piece. But it just seems that every time I turn around I see this exact panel that has this same issue.

 

[LarryFine]

That main looks like it merely plugs onto the top pair of stabs.

Reminds me of the plug-on main in Crouse-Hinds panels that always seemed to burn the B phase stab.

 

[James L]

That main looks like it merely plugs onto the top pair of stabs.

Reminds me of the plug-on main in Crouse-Hinds panels that always seemed to burn the B phase stab.

View attachment 2555425

It does just plug on

 

[norcal]

The vast majority of C-H panels were not made/listed for the use of twin breakers, if you grab a installed twin breaker at the lug side & it moves upwards, it does not belong there, there are a select few C-H panels that had the tits to retain a twin breaker. I have posted a photo in the past of a interior that was made to accept them

 

[James L]

The vast majority of C-H panels were not made/listed for the use of twin breakers, if you grab a installed twin breaker at the lug side & it moves upwards, it does not belong there, there are a select few C-H panels that had the tits to retain a twin breaker. I have posted a photo in the past of a interior that was made to accept them

I'm sure that was a quick fix by the same person who put in the 100-amp breaker. Probably just trying to get around the burnt bus instead of changing the whole panel