Ooof!! - Burning smell.......wtf?!

[NutBucket]

Why Darwin? I've done plenty of electrical work in my life. I'm not a licensed pro but most of the time it just takes caution and common sense. Well, that and an understanding of how circuits work.

 

[Greenman]

Why Darwin? I've done plenty of electrical work in my life. I'm not a licensed pro but most of the time it just takes caution and common sense. Well, that and an understanding of how circuits work.

In residential work it's pretty simple, though some folks can't seem to grasp that the ground isn't a conductor, which also leads to bonding issues.

 

[MtnMan]

Why Darwin? I've done plenty of electrical work in my life. I'm not a licensed pro but most of the time it just takes caution and common sense. Well, that and an understanding of how circuits work.

My recommendation was directed at the OP, you know the guy with the hot box, and you ain't him. Are you volunteering to go fix it for him?

 

[NutBucket]

My recommendation was directed at the OP, you know the guy with the hot box, and you ain't him. Are you volunteering to go fix it for him?

And you directed the Darwin comment at me when I stated I would replace the panel myself...
If OP was in my neck of the woods I'd help him out.

 

[lakedude]

Curious you just happen to have a FLIR...

This is exactly the kind of problem a FLIR is perfect for finding. We use them at work to find loose connections which the FLIR spots because loose connections get hot. When we first got the camera several loose connections were discovered so the camera paid for itself it trouble saved.

Those fuse holders that pull out are called fusible pullout disconnects or "pullouts" BTW. They act like a crude on/off switch in addition to being a fuse holder.

It does seem like the 2 circuit breaker panels could be combined. There is plenty of room in the bigger one.

People generally do not understand the purpose of a regular (non GFI or AFCI) breaker. Breakers protect the wires in the walls of your house from getting hot due to over current. This is a very important job since hot wires could set your house on fire 🔥. Breakers provide no protection for your person. If you get across some wires and are being electrocuted the breaker does not care as long as the current stays under what the breaker is rated for. Likewise breakers do not protect equipment unless the equipment draws enough to trip the breaker.

AFCI and GFI breakers are smarter. An AFCI breaker might have detected the loose connection in the pullout. If I was rewiring an old house I would use the smarter breakers.

 

[Greenman]

Curious you just happen to have a FLIR...

This is exactly the kind of problem a FLIR is perfect for finding. We use them at work to find loose connections which the FLIR spots because loose connections get hot. When we first got the camera several loose connections were discovered so the camera paid for itself it trouble saved.

Those fuse holders that pull out are called fusible pullout disconnects or "pullouts" BTW. They act like a crude on/off switch in addition to being a fuse holder.

It does seem like the 2 circuit breaker panels could be combined. There is plenty of room in the bigger one.

People generally do not understand the purpose of a regular (non GFI or AFCI) breaker. Breakers protect the wires in the walls of your house from getting hot due to over current. This is a very important job since hot wires could set your house on fire 🔥. Breakers provide no protection for your person. If you get across some wires and are being electrocuted the breaker does not care as long as the current stays under what the breaker is rated for. Likewise breakers do not protect equipment unless the equipment draws enough to trip the breaker.

AFCI and GFI breakers are smarter. An AFCI breaker might have detected the loose connection in the pullout. If I was rewiring an old house I would use the smarter breakers.

AFCI breakers are junk. Some work, some will trip when you look at them. I get nothing but call backs because of them.

 

[mrblotto]

Update : electrician is coming next week to replace the sub along with the ‘feeder’ wire from the main panel. Thankfully the main panel in the basement is pretty much directly below the old box.

 

[mrblotto]

And you directed the Darwin comment at me when I stated I would replace the panel myself...
If OP was in my neck of the woods I'd help him out.

Thx for the offer NB. Positive comments are getting rare in this thread.

 

[mrblotto]

Curious you just happen to have a FLIR...

This is exactly the kind of problem a FLIR is perfect for finding. We use them at work to find loose connections which the FLIR spots because loose connections get hot. When we first got the camera several loose connections were discovered so the camera paid for itself it trouble saved.

Those fuse holders that pull out are called fusible pullout disconnects or "pullouts" BTW. They act like a crude on/off switch in addition to being a fuse holder.

It does seem like the 2 circuit breaker panels could be combined. There is plenty of room in the bigger one.

People generally do not understand the purpose of a regular (non GFI or AFCI) breaker. Breakers protect the wires in the walls of your house from getting hot due to over current. This is a very important job since hot wires could set your house on fire . Breakers provide no protection for your person. If you get across some wires and are being electrocuted the breaker does not care as long as the current stays under what the breaker is rated for. Likewise breakers do not protect equipment unless the equipment draws enough to trip the breaker.

AFCI and GFI breakers are smarter. An AFCI breaker might have detected the loose connection in the pullout. If I was rewiring an old house I would use the smarter breakers.

Yeah I got the FLIR back when we first moved in. Works quite well finding hot/cold spots around vents, doors, (electrical panels lol) outlets, etc. I’ll take it to my buddies places and let ‘em see so they can take appropriate action if they want.