The right side of my breaker panel is warm to the touch.

[catnip]

Everything works but I am worried that the heat may indicate problems.
Should the box be replaced?

--
posted from
http://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/the-right-side-of-my-breaker-panel-is-warm-to-the-touch-759574-.htm
using HomeOwnersHub's Web, RSS and Social Media Interface
to home and garden related groups

[recycl...@gmail.com]

Go through each of the breakers and list every single receptacle, light, machine etc. that it controls in every wall of every room. That’s what the guy who installed your service panel in the first place was supposed to do in the first place and if you call an electrician he’s going to charge you a whole lot of money to do it for you.

[nestork]

I would phone your local electrical utility to see if they can send
someone out to check it.

One side shouldn't be any warmer than the other.

Maybe phone the electrical inspector and see if they'd charge anything
to check it.




--
nestork

[The Daring Dufas]

On 8/15/2013 11:44 PM, catnip wrote:
> Everything works but I am worried that the heat may indicate problems.
> Should the box be replaced?
>

Put your ear up close to the panel and listen for any sizzling sound
which can indicate arcing cause by a defective breaker or a bad
connection on a breaker. If you cut the breakers off one by one until
the sizzling sound stops, that will be the problem breaker and time to
call an electrician. ^_^

TDD

[ru...@twitter.com]

DONT USE THE PHONE, (unless it's a cellphone). Adding the electrical
power needed to operate the phone will surely overload the electrical
system and cause a fire.

Use a cellphone, or drive to the electric company.

[Stormin Mormon]

Naah, you should get a Usenet provider, and usenet reader. This is
Usenet, not a web forum.

.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

[John Grabowski]

> Everything works but I am worried that the heat may indicate problems.
> Should the box be replaced?

*A little warmth is not unusual, but if it is too hot to touch there may be
a problem. Feel each individual circuit breaker to see if any one of them
is significantly warmer than the others. If so there may be a problem with
that circuit breaker or it just may have a large load on it such as your air
conditioner.

Age, overall condition, brand (FPE) and room for expansion are the usual
determining factors on breaker panel replacement. You could call a
professional electrician to come in and have a look inside to be on the safe
side.

[RobertMacy]

On Thu, 15 Aug 2013 21:44:01 -0700, catnip
<caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> wrote:

> Everything works but I am worried that the heat may indicate problems.
> Should the box be replaced?
>

*IF* you have only standard breakers, I'd worry.

However, if you have a slew of those new breakers to satisfy the 'arc
over' problem; naw. They self heat and make the area warm.

[bud--]

You can also hold a relatively small long screwdriver so the blade
touches a breaker and the handle is 'in' your ear - a stethoscope. I
agree sizzling is from arcing, and bad. Humming is normal.

My guess is the right side has 2 pole breakers that were loaded when the
OP noticed one side was hotter. Or maybe random.

[Stormin Mormon]

Any special instructions if the Moaners Hub
poster has FPE Stabloc panel?

.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

[The Daring Dufas]

I have an infrared thermometer I use to scan a panel and back in the
late 1980's I was working for an electrical contracting company that
had gotten into using an infrared video camera to scan electrical panels
at industrial sites. Non contact thermometers have become inexpensive
compared to 10 years ago when I bought my first one. You can get one at
the normal male's favorite toy store. ^_^

https://tinyurl.com/p8ov754

TDD

[RobertMacy]

On Fri, 16 Aug 2013 07:18:42 -0700, The Daring Dufas
<the-dari...@stinky-finger.net> wrote:

> https://tinyurl.com/p8ov754

Arrrggg! that tiny URL did NOTHING for my systme, would you post the
'long' version too? I can always unwrap it.

[Roy]

On Friday, August 16, 2013 5:42:16 AM UTC-6, Stormin Mormon wrote:
> Naah, you should get a Usenet provider, and usenet reader. This is
>
> Usenet, not a web forum.
>

Nasty person...here is the long version requested:

http://www.harborfreight.com/non-contact-infrared-thermometer-with-laser-targeting-60725.html?hftref=cj

[micky]

Well, a hard-wired phone that's not FIOS only uses power that comes
from the phone company.

And a cordless phone uses some of your power, but I think it uses
almost as much when you're not even talking on the phone.

And it's just warm. It's not ready to catch fire yet.

[Metspitzer]

It could be arcing or inductive heating. Inductive heading happens
when the neutral is not in the same (metal) raceway as the hot.

If you do have inductive heating, (as someone else suggested) turning
off the right breaker will cause the humming to stop.

[The Daring Dufas]

My system jumped right in there but here's the long link. ^_^

http://www.harborfreight.com/non-contact-infrared-thermometer-with-laser-targeting-60725.html?hftref=cj

TDD

[Tony Hwang]

Hmmm,
I bought similar thing on eBay for 12 bucks. Works well.
If OP has Amprobe it'll be handy. Al. wiring by any chance?
Any loose connections? Any smell?

[catbyte]

replying to catnip, catbyte wrote:

> catnip wrote:
>
> Everything works but I am worried that the heat may indicate problems.
Should
> the box be replaced?

Thank you for your responses.
More info: I listened to the breakers as advised. There is no sizzling
sound. I noticed that all of the warm breakers were labeled AFCI.
Does that give a clue to the problem?

Thank you very much for your help!

[Robert Green]

"catbyte" <caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> wrote in
message

> More info: I listened to the breakers as advised. There is no sizzling
> sound. I noticed that all of the warm breakers were labeled AFCI.
> Does that give a clue to the problem?

Yes! The AFCI breakers contain small power supplies for the electronic
components that live inside them. That could easily account for the heat.

--
Bobby G.

[Stormin Mormon]

Your problem is using a web forum to invade Usenet.

.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

[The Daring Dufas]

On 8/16/2013 7:44 PM, catbyte wrote:
> replying to catnip, catbyte wrote:
>> catnip wrote:
>>
>> Everything works but I am worried that the heat may indicate problems.
> Should
>> the box be replaced?
>
>
> Thank you for your responses.
> More info: I listened to the breakers as advised. There is no sizzling
> sound. I noticed that all of the warm breakers were labeled AFCI.
> Does that give a clue to the problem?
>
> Thank you very much for your help!
>

If the panel cover was hot enough to burn your hand, that would indicate
a real problem. It must be fairly new to have arc fault
circuit breakers installed, a type breaker which trips when an
electrical arc is detected in any circuit connected to the breaker.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc-fault_circuit_interrupter

If you're really worried call your electric company to find out if
a tech for them would come out and check the temp of the panel at
no cost to you. The power company here is really good about that sort of
thing and the fire department (don't dial 911) may have a fire marshal
willing to drop by and assuage your fears after checking the
temp of the panel. The ones I know would rather find out that a citizen
has a problem that needs fixing rather than meeting him outside his
burning house. If it really has you worried, there are electrical
installation and repair companies that will send someone by to check it
for you at no cost as a way to get you as a customer. The honest service
companies are out there, ask around to find someone who will check it
for you. Your peace of mind will let you sleep at night. Be safe. ^_^

TDD

[bud--]

I agree that is probably why the breakers are "warm".

[catbyte]

replying to Robert Green , catbyte wrote:

> robert_green1963 wrote:
>
> "catbyte" <caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> wrote in
> message

> Yes! The AFCI breakers contain small power supplies for the electronic
> components that live inside them. That could easily account for the heat.

Thank you for your help Robert!

[catbyte]

replying to The Daring Dufas , catbyte wrote:

> the-daring-dufas wrote:
>
> If the panel cover was hot enough to burn your hand, that would indicate
> a real problem. It must be fairly new to have arc fault
> circuit breakers installed, a type breaker which trips when an
> electrical arc is detected in any circuit connected to the breaker.
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc-fault_circuit_interrupter
> If you're really worried call your electric company to find out if
> a tech for them would come out and check the temp of the panel at
> no cost to you. The power company here is really good about that sort of
> thing and the fire department (don't dial 911) may have a fire marshal
> willing to drop by and assuage your fears after checking the
> temp of the panel. The ones I know would rather find out that a citizen
> has a problem that needs fixing rather than meeting him outside his
> burning house. If it really has you worried, there are electrical
> installation and repair companies that will send someone by to check it
> for you at no cost as a way to get you as a customer. The honest service
> companies are out there, ask around to find someone who will check it
> for you. Your peace of mind will let you sleep at night. Be safe. ^_^
> TDD

Thank you for your further help Daring Dufas!

[Robert Green]

"Roy" <wil...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c02eacb7-d9e6-47f2...@googlegroups.com...

Isn't it sad? SM could have just politely answered the question but instead
took an unwarranted jab at our new guest. Why? All because *SM* doesn't
like Homeowner's Hub. Who cares *what* you like, Stormie? Worse, still he
constantly reminds us how polite "his kind" is in post after post and how
rude everyone else is while being nasty to a newcomer for no reason.

Matthew 7:16
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from
thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

It means "actions speak louder that words." It means that no matter how
much SM carps about how civilized his friends are, it's the ACT of slapping
a new guest in the face twice that tells us who he really is, not his claims
of piety. SM seems to have taken pride in both ignoring Catbyte's question
AND insinuating that Catbyte has no right to be here unless they came via
Usenet and a newsreader program. That tells us the kind of man he really
is. A real man might realize he should apologize for such a poor welcome to
a stranger. It also suggests he's obsessed with trying to tell others what
do to, a noticeable problem with a lot of religious people.

Catbyte doesn't care about SM's hard-on for HH. The question was good and
germane to the AFCI upgrading that many people are doing. The answer might
help and number of Google searches in the future. Catbyte ended up
basically solving the problem for themselves by noting they were AFCI
breakers. But Stormie's got to bitch, bitch, bitch: "Oh, you're not doing
it right!! Go away and come back after you do what *I* told you to do,
invader!!!" Typical actions of a serious control freak and someone not
quite properly socialized.

(Catbyte, if you're reading this, come back and visit through any portal you
like. We'll keep the self-appointed captain of the neighborhood Portal
Police at bay. Sorry you had to read about any infighting but this has been
an ongoing problem of bad manners exhibited, ironically, by someone who
constantly brags about how polite he is.)

--
Bobby G.

[catbyte]

replying to Robert Green , catbyte wrote:

> (Catbyte, if you're reading this, come back and visit through any portal
you
> like. We'll keep the self-appointed captain of the neighborhood Portal
> Police at bay. Sorry you had to read about any infighting but this has
been
> an ongoing problem of bad manners exhibited, ironically, by someone who
> constantly brags about how polite he is.)

Your kind support and articulate defense are much appreciated. Many
thanks!!
Catbyte

[catnip]

replying to bud-- , catnip wrote:

> remove.budnews wrote:
>
> You can also hold a relatively small long screwdriver so the blade
> touches a breaker and the handle is 'in' your ear - a stethoscope. I
> agree sizzling is from arcing, and bad. Humming is normal.
> My guess is the right side has 2 pole breakers that were loaded when the
> OP noticed one side was hotter. Or maybe random.

Thank you for your help!

[catbyte]

replying to John Grabowski , catbyte wrote:

> jgrabows1 wrote:
>
> *A little warmth is not unusual, but if it is too hot to touch there may
be
> a problem. Feel each individual circuit breaker to see if any one of them

> is significantly warmer than the others. If so there may be a problem
with
> that circuit breaker or it just may have a large load on it such as your
air

> conditioner.
> Age, overall condition, brand (FPE) and room for expansion are the usual
> determining factors on breaker panel replacement. You could call a
> professional electrician to come in and have a look inside to be on the
safe

> side.

Thank you for all the info!

[catbyte]

replying to bud-- , catbyte wrote:

> remove.budnews wrote:
>
> I agree that is probably why the breakers are "warm".

Thank you for your input!

[catnip]

replying to Metspitzer , catnip wrote:

> Kilowatt wrote:
>
> On Fri, 16 Aug 2013 02:11:31 -0500, The Daring Dufas

> It could be arcing or inductive heating. Inductive heading happens
> when the neutral is not in the same (metal) raceway as the hot.
> If you do have inductive heating, (as someone else suggested) turning
> off the right breaker will cause the humming to stop.

Thank you for the info!

[catnip]

replying to RobertMacy , catnip wrote:

> robert.a.macy wrote:
>
> On Thu, 15 Aug 2013 21:44:01 -0700, catnip

> *IF* you have only standard breakers, I'd worry.
> However, if you have a slew of those new breakers to satisfy the 'arc
> over' problem; naw. They self heat and make the area warm.

Thank you for your help!

[Robert Green]

"catbyte" <caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> wrote in
message news:3aac4$520f9a41$cf3aab60$12...@news.flashnewsgroups.com...

> replying to Robert Green , catbyte wrote:
> > robert_green1963 wrote:
> >
> > "catbyte" <caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> wrote in
> > message
> > Yes! The AFCI breakers contain small power supplies for the electronic
> > components that live inside them. That could easily account for the
heat.
>
>
> Thank you for your help Robert!

You're very welcome. You actually answered your own question when you
noticed they were all AFCI breakers. The answer to this question also made
me realize that an AFCI breaker "stuffed" circuit panel might attract more
bugs and other vermin than a normal panel because it's mostly sealed up and
warm in such areas. The last mouse we had lived in the basement near the
water heater and traveled from there all the way to the kitchen and back
stockpiling all sort of kitchen detritus in the nest. No mice since we got
a little dog, though!

--
Bobby G.

[Red Green]

catnip <caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> wrote in
news:f3408$520dae11$cf3aab60$17...@news.flashnewsgroups.com:

> Everything works but I am worried that the heat may indicate problems.
> Should the box be replaced?
>

Yes. Surprised you are not a crispy critter already.



> posted from
> http://www.BlowOwnershub.com/

[lanico...@gmail.com]

Thank you for clarifying the wrongdoings of SM. I found this thread on a google search, it was very helpful, and I appreciate the civil replies. I am Mormon and all I can say is that SM is likely either trying to give Mormons a bad name, or is not living by the precepts of his stated religion. I know no one is perfect, but one should not wear his religion on his sleeve unless he is going to try to live it just as publicly. I am sorry for his discourteous behavior and I just want you to know that not all mormons are of "his kind".

[trader_4]

On Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 4:19:26 PM UTC-4, lanico...@gmail.com wrote:
> Thank you for clarifying the wrongdoings of SM. I found this thread on a google search, it was very helpful, and I appreciate the civil replies. I am Mormon and all I can say is that SM is likely either trying to give Mormons a bad name, or is not living by the precepts of his stated religion. I know no one is perfect, but one should not wear his religion on his sleeve unless he is going to try to live it just as publicly. I am sorry for his discourteous behavior and I just want you to know that not all mormons are of "his kind".

Thank you for reviving a dead thread on AHR from 14 years ago, replying as
if these posts were made yesterday and not quoting anything so we
can even follow whatever it is that you're bitching about. And no need
to worry about Stormin, he won't be bothering you anymore, he passed
away recently.

This is another excellent example of the value added by posters digging
up ancient threads. Now we're getting ones that don't even touch on
the original subject, but instead the alleged personal wrongs of posters who
are dead.

[hub...@ccanoemail.ca]

On Thu, 7 Sep 2017 13:19:07 -0700 (PDT), lanico...@gmail.com
wrote:

Speak kindly of the dead < ? >
... or not ... this IS usenet after all.
May all the graven idols unite in casting their blessings -
and their universal encouragement - for diversity ..
.. we are stronger together.
.. except for those you-know-who reprobates.
John T.

[BurfordTJustice]

Rather like all your postsing, eh?


"trader_4" <tra...@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:d656a963-5da4-4642...@googlegroups.com...