Challenger Distribution Equipment

[djcrzysounds@yahoo.com]

This post will start off with the phrase 'so shoot me'. My buddy called me to his bar last night at 1 in the morning cause of a 'burning smell' well I got down there to find a plug, into a '3-device receptacle' current tap(I believe that is the correct term.) At which the neutral prong of the plug was glowing red, and the current tap and receptacle were black from smoke.

This morning I went back to atleast change the receptacle. I didn't know what breaker it was, so I went for the ever popular 'let's short the breaker' approach.(Hence you may shoot me). I tried to trip the breaker 3 times and it didn't. Anyways. With that being said the Panel & Breakers are all of the 'Challenger' brand. I've been told that Challenger is basically a 2nd generation of Fed Pacific breakers. Could someone give me some insite and maybe some documentation that I might take to my buddy so if there is a problem we might be able to correct it before it gets worse.

 

[stickboy1375]

I would buy a circuit tracer. Amprobe makes some nice stuff. You shorting stuff out is pretty unprofessional, no?

 

[iwire]

I don't think there is anything correct in your post except the shoot me part. :wink:

Challenger has nothing to do with FPE.

 

[Buck Parrish]

Your lucky the wire didn't melt all the way back to the panel.
Tripping it like you tried use to be fairly common. But now with all the sophistacated equipment you can do damage quick.

I thought Challenger was part of the Westinghouse or CH line
Marc will know

 

[LarryFine]

Bob, can we make an exception here and recommend replacing the receptacle while energized?

We'd be doing Darwin a favor.

 

[Mr. Mike]

Quick + Dangerous = Dumb

Quick + Dangerous = Dumb

The focus of your attention is on the breaker manufacturer but instead needs to be on ELECTRICAL SAFETY. It appears that your familiar with using the "short it out" technique to trip the supply breaker. Obviously you and others have gotten away with such dangerous short cuts but why take them. For $50 or less you could purchase simple, easy to use equipment that will detect the supplying breaker. You still need to do a "zero energy check" but then again that's just part of LOTO which is the OSHA law. A law written to protect those working on electrical equipment.

If you're going to continue using such dangerous and illegal techniques you might want to not advertise doing so on a website that is viewed by professional electricians.

 

[tomP]

If you're going to continue using such dangerous and illegal techniques you might want to not advertise doing so on a website that is viewed by professional electricians.

On the other hand you should post these techniques, because there is no better place to post and be told how unsafe you are working and the proper way of doing things than here

 

[BryKey]

I think it may be safe to say that if the plug was glowing red then just changing the receptacle is not all that needs to be done, I would think the wire has been damaged also. I would do nothing less than replacing the breaker, wire and receptacle.