Just About Lost the Shop and Everything in it.

We used to check our panels on a yearly basis. After taking off the panel fronts, we would try to turn everything on in the shop. Then using an infared temperture gun we would scan inside the panels looking for hot spots..

 

Square D "QO" series can't go wrong.

220, 221 yeah whatever.

 

Eyes wide open on this deal. Wow. Guess I need to do a once over on my own stuff.

Thanks for posting about this.

 

My money is on wrong breaker for the box. I see at least two brands in there, and it might be three. There is "fits" and works properly. I'd replace this box either way, though, and match the breakers to it. Don't let anybody sell you anything that is "compatible". No need to tempt fate twice.

 

The plant I work in has a company come through once a year and do thermal energy scans with an infrared camera, it makes the hot spots stand out like nobody's business, even on stuff that doesn't appear to the naked eye or touch.

 

And you should always have a closed cover on any electric panel.

 

unless there is a main breaker off the meter, you have no option but to have it pulled....

do yourself a favor, have a master elec. type guy do it for you. save you from having a shocking experience..... no pun intended

 

Careful with the replacements too.

Make sure you buy from a reputable dealer.

I've seen in the last two or three years several Chinese forgeries of good brand name breakers with no internals.

They are just a shell with the spring loaded toggle and a jumper wire across the poles. I **** you not.

I've seen forged Siemens, Cutler Hammer, GE, and Square D. Just the breakers, never the panels (not much you can skimp on and hide in a panel though).

I'm not saying these brands are bad, I'm saying I've seen dangerous forgeries p***ed off as the above brands, so be careful who you buy your stuff from.

IMO, you cannot go wrong with Square D, ***uming you size everything correctly.

 

You've installed a larger circuit breaker - capacity wise - than was original from what you've written.

The wiring shown looks a little small for a big compressor.

You need to upgrade to the proper size wiring as well.

Use the switch on the compressor, it should have one, and don't turn it off when the motor is running.
You can do it, but popping a switch under load is hard on the switch.

 

Lucky you. I would use this oppertunity to call an electrician to fix it right.

 

Yep, especially if it has those stab-loc breakers. Take a good look at the buss bar connections right away. Mine in my house was so bad that the electrician doing my service change was surprised I didn't have a fire. I now have a good quality Bryant box.

Bob