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Blown Electric Breaker
Last Post 06 Nov 2008 06:57 PM by Andy. 10 Replies.
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Andy
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04 Nov 2008 12:27 AM  
The other day, the vacuum on my CNC turned off in the middle of a job.  I determined it had something to do with the breaker so I investigated further.  Check out the pictures.  Somehow the breaker arced with the panel and completely burned a hole in the stud.

I switched out the breaker, moved it to a new location and all works well.  Scared the hell out of me though.





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Mike Gladstone
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04 Nov 2008 06:17 AM  
Andy,
Looks like you had a spike(surge) in your box. I get your electrician to come take a look as well as change out that bar. I can't help but notice the SS dust in the botom of the box. That sure is a lot if you have any plugs missing on the box you should plug them. I blow out the electric boxes at least once a year. I don't like the idea of dust building up in there.
Mike G
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Tom M
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04 Nov 2008 07:26 AM  
Andy,
Umm... your circuit box is that empty? Planning for the future?
"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." - Shakespeare
Andy
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04 Nov 2008 09:32 AM  
The panel is for the CNC only. Mike, what do you mean by replacing the bar? I moved the breaker to a new spot. Do you think I should still fix it?
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Mike Gladstone
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04 Nov 2008 11:36 AM  
Andy, I would definitely replace it, (that damaged area should be replaceable if your box isn't outdated) at the same time your electrician can see if there is any other damage that you can't see.
Mike G
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Dani Homrich
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04 Nov 2008 12:13 PM  
Andy

It is from a poor connection with the points ( ?? Dust ?? ). Every time the machine starter there was a spark jump burning away the points, the longer the jump the hotter the spark causing more of a burn until all contact was lost.. I know that your shop is DUST FREE so how could have that caused the problem.
Changing the way you finish your topsDani Designs since 1974 http://www.dani-designs.com/
Andy
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04 Nov 2008 12:20 PM  
Posted By Dani Homrich on 04 Nov 2008 12:13 PM
Andy

It is from a poor connection with the points ( ?? Dust ?? ). Every time the machine starter there was a spark jump burning away the points, the longer the jump the hotter the spark causing more of a burn until all contact was lost.. I know that your shop is DUST FREE so how could have that caused the problem.

So if I had a bad connection from the start, this could have been the problem all along.  Do recommend blowing out the panel on occasion or should we just leave it alone?
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Kelsey Crisp
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04 Nov 2008 05:37 PM  

Andy... go out an buy you some of that foam weather stripping, the kind with the adhesive backing. stick it to the cover, and also on the door so when you close it all is sealed.  

Just thinking... there was a cover and a door on it... right? That is a lot of dust in the bottom....  ughhhh.

Yep.... I said the Dow will go to 6000
Lenny E
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05 Nov 2008 05:45 AM  
Andy....breakers..who needs em? Just throw some pennies up in there and increase your fire insurance in fine republican fashion!



Lenny

PS we had a word for that on the east coast..Yiddish lightening!  hahahahaha. OMG im cracking myself up, beer just came outta my nose..are you happy? Its all your fault..curse you and your  pink mini cooper too!
Dan Dauchess
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06 Nov 2008 06:50 PM  

That style of circuit breaker (stab-in) is not really well-suited for high startup current motors.  The startup current heats up the metal (due to contact resistance) and the connection loosens up.  As the connection loosens up (over time), the contact resistance increases, increasing the heat build up.  Eventually, the current starts to arc across the contact and results in the burn hole you experience.

Industrial-grade power centers use bolt-on circuit breakers to improve the contact.  They still need to be tightened occaisionally but they will last a lot longer.

You can inspect your breaker panels for impending problems such as this with an infrared camera.  Imaging the panels while the equipment is running will help identify hot spots - indicating potential problems.  There's probably a company in your area that can be hired to do such an inspection.

Andy
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06 Nov 2008 06:57 PM  
Posted By Dan Dauchess on 06 Nov 2008 06:50 PM

That style of circuit breaker (stab-in) is not really well-suited for high startup current motors.  The startup current heats up the metal (due to contact resistance) and the connection loosens up.  As the connection loosens up (over time), the contact resistance increases, increasing the heat build up.  Eventually, the current starts to arc across the contact and results in the burn hole you experience.

Industrial-grade power centers use bolt-on circuit breakers to improve the contact.  They still need to be tightened occaisionally but they will last a lot longer.

You can inspect your breaker panels for impending problems such as this with an infrared camera.  Imaging the panels while the equipment is running will help identify hot spots - indicating potential problems.  There's probably a company in your area that can be hired to do such an inspection.


Good information.  Thanks.

I will give Lenny's idea a try if the others fail.
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