GFCI Breaker Failure

[jds]

Disbelief was my first reaction as I looked at a breaker panel on a dock that had 30 completely fried 30Amp GFCI breakers.

The attached picture shows one of the damaged Siemens breakers along side a similar one purchased from Lowe's. In a domino like sequence the MOV drew lots of current and then fractions of a second later it burned open - repeated together, or in some random sequence, as all of them failed in a similar manner - probably in a matter of seconds.

This has all the appearance of a loss-of-neutral. We come across neutral loss damage on boats fairly often and this is how is appears. Have you ever seen a similar event where all of the breakers in a panel failed in this manner?

Another unusual event. While I was looking at the repaired panel the dock master keyed his radio from a few feet away and all 30 of the breakers went to a GFCI trip - with a very loud "click" ! ! Gremlins everywhere.

Your comments please.

Jim

 

[ELA]

While I have not exerienced fried MOVs in breakers directly, it is a very common problem with MOVs blowing inside of equipment that has been exposed to an open neutral situation. New UL standards are now requiring manufacturers to specifically test for a prolonged - abnormal over voltage condition in part because this is so common.

The Induced radio frequency "noise" causing equipment to experience problems is also very common.

There have been a few doubters on this forum to the fact that GFCIs can trip due to noise. Induced radio frequencies are one of the major offenders.

Better quality manufacturers realize this and specifically design and test for various types of electrical noise immunity.

In some sensitive environments keying a radio is specifically forbidden due to the known interference problems.
It is especially harsh to key up the transmit in close proximity to sensitive devices.

 

[quogueelectric]

My best guess

My best guess

Would be lightning.

 

[LarryFine]

It is known that MOV's are 'sacrificial' in their operation. Every absorption of voltage results in a small amount of permanent damage, and they have a finite life-span.

 

[jds]

Thanks - but no lightning in area at the time. Jim

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

Is it possible a high-voltage utility conductor came into contact with a lower voltage conductor feeding this panel?

 

[catchtwentytwo]

Is it possible a high-voltage utility conductor came into contact with a lower voltage conductor feeding this panel?

Wouldn't that have caused damaged to other panel components and/or things fed from that panel?