Sq-D Masterpact

[zog]

Problem with finger cluster connections on draw out Masterpact breakers

http://www.pearl1.org/downloads/Square-D-Masterpack-NW-Customer-Letter-1.pdf

 

[jim dungar]

Problem with finger cluster connections on draw out Masterpact breakers

http://www.pearl1.org/downloads/Square-D-Masterpack-NW-Customer-Letter-1.pdf

You are posting a link to the original discovery.

Within (1) week Square D had said there is no problem with breakers installed per the instruction manual. Although they do have a free enhancement kit available. i am sure the resolution letter is on www.Squared.com.

 

[brian john]

Close friend and owner of another testing company had one blow last summer. No one was hurt but his name was on the line. He was one of the first to figure this out.

 

[zog]

You are posting a link to the original discovery.

Within (1) week Square D had said there is no problem with breakers installed per the instruction manual. Although they do have a free enhancement kit available. i am sure the resolution letter is on www.Squared.com.

Yep, there is an update, they say the problem is rare, only a few cases documented.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

It would seem to me that this issue could be potentially very serious, whether for peoples safety or the integrity of the equipment.

I would guess that SQD should somehow get in contact with the companies that have purchased these items and contact them directly with the same letter as in the above post.

 

[Ragin Cajun]

Just had a switchboard with those breakers held up for the "fix".

My source tells me that the problem is NOT with the breakers or the bus in the gear.

The problem is when they are tested outside the gear by the owner. The thickness of the bus bar that's used for the test connection is the issue. If the bus is 1/2" chick it deforms the stabs. SquareD has a notice in their instructions as to the proper bus thickness.

RC

 

[jim dungar]

It would seem to me that this issue could be potentially very serious, whether for peoples safety or the integrity of the equipment.

I would guess that SQD should somehow get in contact with the companies that have purchased these items and contact them directly with the same letter as in the above post.

Pierre,

According to Square D it is not as wide spread as the first letter indicated. They have seen a problem with less than 0.04% of the breakers.

This is the link to the current information.
http://www.us.squared.com/us/products/circuit_breakers.nsf/LookupFiles/MasterPact_NW_Cust_Ltr.pdf/$file/MasterPact_NW_Cust_Ltr.pdf

 

[brian john]

0.04% of the breakers.

AHHHH but when you are in the .04%, well at a minimum you buy new Levis and at worse case?

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

AHHHH but when you are in the .04%, well at a minimum you buy new Levis and at worse case?

I concur.


When I am teaching safety, I use this philosophy.

I tell the guys that not everyone in the room will die from an electrical incident...but one may, and you do not want to take the chance of being that one.

 

[jim dungar]

Actually the second Square D letter says there is no product problem, it infers the 0.04% were the result of mis-installation.

 

[brian john]

Consider the source, one major manufacture of cars denied design issues as drivers and passengers died on the roads due to this design flaw, then there was the FPE issues.


Not saying this is the case BUT.....

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Brian
Just curious...are you refering to the Pinto?

 

[jim dungar]

Consider the source, one major manufacture of cars denied design issues as drivers and passengers died on the roads due to this design flaw, then there was the FPE issues.


Not saying this is the case BUT.....

So are you inferring that Square D can not be trusted?

In one auto case it was shown that a news report was staged in order to support the argument the auto manufacturer was wrong.

What FPE issues are you referring to, their poor (but not necessarily bad) stab connection, the fact that they built one family of breakers and misrepresented them as being UL Listed, or that there has never been a nationwide recall of FPE products by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (so far everything has been on state and local levels).

I am not trying to defend any manufacturer, I am just asking you to clearly state your objections with facts instead of innuendo or simple anecdotes

 

[brian john]

Not at all BUT I say if I were involved with a facility with these CB's I'd be cautious.

Have I been given misinformation by manufactures YOU BET.