Cutler-Hammer Panel Defect

[Greg Bell]

A friend just built his house a couple of years ago. He noticed that he wasn't getting much heat from his furnace. So he called another friend that did his HVAC work and asked that he come out and diagnose the problem. He found out that the air handler wasn't getting enough power for the heat strip. He traced it back to the panel. After opening the panel they could see that the breakers were melting. He removed a few breakers and the aluminum bus bar was covered in plastic. So the homeowner called the electrician (another friend). He came out and called the supply company, who put him in touch with a cutler-hammer representative. The representative acknowledged that they were aware of the problem and that they would send out a replacement panel.

So pay close attention to any cutler-hammer panels you come across that are less than 5 years old.

[David P. Valley]

Thanks for the info.

Wow, I'd love to get those pics.

Is it possible Greg?

[Greg Bell]

I don't have any pics yet. The electrician pulled all of the breakers out and cleaned the bus bar. I will see what I can get in the next couple of days.

[Larry D. Kage]

Good info. Thanks for the heads up.

[Jim Port]

CH series panels have copper buss. The cheaper BR series uses AL buss.

Were the proper breakers used in the panel?

I have seen the same condition in other brands also.

Is there an official recall notice or formal notification that you can link to?

[Paul W. Abernathy]

The CH Series has Silver Coated Copper Buss and has a lifetime warranty. I would only install CH Series...but again I am a bit partial.

[Greg Bell]

Jim

I don't know of any recall or bulletin that I could link too.

Paul,

Thanks for the info.

[Bruce A. King]

Hope to find out which series panel it was....

The BR series is gray and uses 1 inch breakers, has 10 yr warranty.
The CH series is tan and uses 3/4 inch breakers, has lifetime warranty.

[Greg Bell]

They changed the panel. Here are some pics.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by gbell

They changed the panel. Here are some pics.

Is this a common defect in the breaker? Any idea what caused this?

[Mark Thorman]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeo...er_hammer.html


www.MauiHomeInspections.com

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by Mark Thorman

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeo...er_hammer.html

I didn't see any information in that link regarding the branch circuit breakers snapped onto the bus. Only a mention of some loose bus bolts. Or did I miss something?

[Mark Thorman]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

I didn't see any information in that link regarding the branch circuit breakers snapped onto the bus. Only a mention of some loose bus bolts. Or did I miss something?

"The reason the breaker tripped was because it was overheating/melting."

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by Mark Thorman

"The reason the breaker tripped was because it was overheating/melting."

Maybe it's me, but I'm not seeing how a loose bolt on one end of the bus will melt the CB at the other end as depicted in the photo.

[Mark Thorman]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

Maybe it's me, but I'm not seeing how a loose bolt on one end of the bus will melt the CB at the other end as depicted in the photo.

I agree. But worth digging deeper.

www.MauiHomeInspections.com