Coincidence?
 

My breaker box is about 15 years old. Last night about 7 pm, the lights went out. The main breaker wouldn't click off or on. Changed it this morning and it has been fine since then. Anything to worry about or breaker just getting old? What do you think?

What brand of box/panel was it ?
How did the rest of the box look ?
Was it burnt looking ? rusty/corrodded ?
Need lots more info !!!

Did only the lights go out or did other things go out also?

It could have taken a hit from lightning or other large surge.

Those things should last much longer than 15 years, unless a catastrophic event took `em out.

The rest of the box looks fine. The breaker looked OK. Not burnt or anything. Just would not flip to off or on. It was the main breaker, everything went out. We had a lightning strike a couple months ago that took out our sump pump, computer modem and answering machine.

Probably Crouse-Hinds, Murray, or Bryant. Sounds like something they're good for.:yes:

I changed a Sq.D last month. Something said about operating them once a year,at least.

As much as we've lost power in the last year, mine definitely is getting a work out:thumbup:

No opinions?

If a replacement main is readily available have it changed out and be done with it.

I did change it. Just wondering why it would quit working.

Nothing lasts forever...but God.

I would hope his breakers are more reliable than that :eek:

Get an ammeter and check the loads on your main. When they overheat they tend to fail...maybe you are a bit heavy on your load. Check it when everything you normally run is on. What's the amperage of that breaker? Do you have central air? Judging from your location it's been 100 degrees there (and here) for quite a while now.

Since it has been changed out, I would sleep tight. If it happens again, I would start looking farther into the issue.