I shut the power off to the house at the main disc panel which houses only the main disc breaker, a westinghouse 200a (probably very old), to wire a sub panel off the main panel. When I finished the work, I switched the main disc breaker back on and it went mushy. No firm click on or off at this point. Where can I get a replacement breaker, as I don't have any power to the house at this time. Much Thanks, Steve
Can't say where to get that particular breaker (an electrical supply house would be my first guess) but even if you could replace this the power to the MAIN box must be disconnected (the meter would need to be pulled by POCO or electrician). Replacing the main is not a DIY project. If it is as old as you think you might want to consider a new panel altogether which would include a new 200a breaker.
I was coming to the same conclusion. My DIY mentality was trying to find a way to fix it myself on a Saturday evening, but as you both said, this one's best left to a pro. Thanks again...:thumbup:
Usually I can get it to turn back on with a combination of brute force and gentle finesse. Once or twice....not. That's why I keep a stock of old breakers stripped from service changes.
I tried the gentle on/off. An electrician I called suggested a couple of forceful, yet light taps with a wooden or non metallic handle on the sides of breaker to get spring? or whatevers inside a breaker to engage or reset. Still no joy. Lastly, the backup generator comes on no problem, with no sign of overload or other deviations. Thanks for the hints and help again. The electrician is coming over this afternoon to asses breaker replacement or panel replacement.
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