GE 150 amp discolored bus?

[dm9289]

Attached is something I seen on A GE bus linkage. To me this is bad has anyone else encountered this discoloration. The panel was dry and no other evidence of water damage.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Time to replace that before you have a real mess on your hands

 

[dm9289]

That is exactly what I thought I have been trying to find a GE panel rep to see if that link is replaceable or if they seen this before.

 

[letgomywago]

I think this is one if the few times replacing the guts might make sense

 

[infinity]

That's pretty common for GE panels and is typically not a defect.

 

[dm9289]

That's pretty common for GE panels and is typically not a defect.

View attachment 2565906

Oh wow! So that’s typical it did not look right to me. I will try to find a GE rep to explain it

 

[dm9289]

I think this is one if the few times replacing the guts might make sense

I was wondering if those 2 links were replaceable

 

[Dennis Alwon]

That's pretty common for GE panels and is typically not a defect.

View attachment 2565906

There is a big difference between the panel you posted and the one the op posted. There is rust all over it

 

[tortuga]

Point a thermal camera at it under full load.

 

[acin]

Point a thermal camera at it under full load.

what would be an unsafe reading ?

 

[tortuga]

what would be an unsafe reading ?

 

[acin]

I should of worded my question what is a safe reading and above that becomes unsafe

 

[kwired]

I was wondering if those 2 links were replaceable

What does the bus behind the breakers look like? If too much heat transferred to those as well they probably are no good either, and maybe even heated up components within the main breaker. Time to change the entire panel, and maybe even the branch breakers if heat made it's way to the bus behind them.

 

[Jraef]

That's pretty common for GE panels and is typically not a defect.

View attachment 2565906

As I recall, the main kit for GE uses unplated Cu bus, so it discolors if there are any corrosive elements in the air, such as sewer gasses. I used to do a lot of lift station panels, we put a GE load center in one and the consultant rejected the submittal with that comment. We had to put in a Sq. D QO load center because they use a tin plated Cu bus.

 

[tortuga]

I should of worded my question what is a safe reading and above that becomes unsafe

Source and more info on UL 489 here

 

[Joethemechanic]

View attachment 2565925
Source and more info on UL 489 here

That's actually hotter than I thought

 

[tortuga]

Yeah I typically dont see loaded breakers over 130 -135F (~57C)