Unique problem - House main trips, but nothing else - only when dryer is on

HouseHelper · 11-24-2007, 07:56 PM

You've got a loose connection in the main wires at that burned lug. You will need to remove the main wires, cut away the damaged portion and re-install. If there is not a disconnect at the meter, you will need an electrician to pull the meter and repair this. Do not use any high load appliances (dryer, range) until this is fixed.

GREGNC · 11-24-2007, 08:09 PM

are my eyes deceiving me or is that a strand of the neutral wire hanging beside the hot lug?? if so it may be arcing with high current demand from the dryer.

Andy in ATL · 11-24-2007, 08:21 PM

Goodeye greg..WTF is THAT!!! Why won't it do it on the oven as well, though?

RichyL · 11-24-2007, 08:38 PM

thats what i was wondering, because the oven usually draws more power than the dryer. It appears all the breakers are turned on in the panel, which one is for the dryer?

GREGNC · 11-24-2007, 08:40 PM

dont know the answer for that Andy.You would think on broil it pulls as many amps as the dryer.Maybe its the dryer and other combinations ie.heatpump??

s0lidgr0und · 11-24-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy in ATL

Don't like the look of that wire one damned bit. And it doesn't happen when you put another high amperage load on it from a 240V breaker? Like puttin the oven on broil?

Son of a beach. It is doing it with the oven's broiler on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy

Has there been any other construction including maybe somebody putting up a fence etc between you and the transformer in the last few months?

None. The line exits the top of the box, goes into the meter, to the top of my service, and then to the pole.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichyL

I would not change out the panel yet. The best advice I can give you is to keep the dryer off and schedule an appointment with a licensed master electrician,as soon as you can to come and analyze the problem. He will have to come out and fix the problem and HONOR his work, so now responsibility will be on him. We can speculate all day long what the problem may be, but assumption is the mother of all ______ ups. You cannot put a price on the safety of your home and family. There could be a problem on the powercompanies side as well in the meter or elsewhere.

Point taken, thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREGNC

are my eyes deceiving me or is that a strand of the neutral wire hanging beside the hot lug?? if so it may be arcing with high current demand from the dryer.

It's a tinsle-like piece of plastic of some sort. I pulled it off.

s0lidgr0und · 11-24-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichyL

thats what i was wondering, because the oven usually draws more power than the dryer. It appears all the breakers are turned on in the panel, which one is for the dryer?

Slot 6&8.

Andy in ATL · 11-24-2007, 08:52 PM

Solidground, my already cold ridden sinuses were going to make my whole head explode

if you didn't say the oven caused the problem also. Replace the breaker yourself...or have an electrician do it. Up to you. Post back on the results! The photos were excellent and I'm sure we would all love to see photos of the panel with the breaker removed, if it is not to much trouble.

Andy

Edit to add...there is still a small possibility that the panel will have to be replaced. Also...if there is no outside disconnect, then you will HAVE to have an electrician do it.

s0lidgr0und · 11-24-2007, 08:56 PM

Thanks guys. Sorry to hit you so hard on my first day.

I'll try to take it easier on you in the future.

My name in Bill, by the way. I'll look for an introduction thread or something. Just know that I appreciate your time and input.

RichyL · 11-24-2007, 08:56 PM

"Son of a beach. It is doing it with the oven's broiler on.]"

Try and limit your electricity usage until you get some help. I dont know exactly what circuits you have on, or how long this problem has been going on or what has been added. (subpanels, heating systems etc) I wouldnt use the range or dryer thats for sure. You may have a loose connection somewhere or maybe your 2 legs arent balanced and more current is flowing through your right leg. You may need a service upgrade. It could be a number of things Again these are just possible scenarios that a licensed electrician will (should) be able to figure out. Dont hire an electrician under the table, make sure you get documentation, or a billing statement of work done, so if he says it is safe, he has to honor that. Best of luck,
Rich

Sammy · 11-24-2007, 09:45 PM

Check this out....

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07036.html

I notice some of the larger breakers in the picture dont have the white amperage letters on the levers.

May be some/all are truely defective from Chinar... [imagine that]

tribe_fan · 11-25-2007, 12:29 AM

This question is for the pros.

Is the anti - oxident compound supposed to prevent this type of connection failure ? Or does it look like the end was in poor shape or damaged putting it in ?

While you may get away with replacing the breaker - it looks the the wire is also going to have to be replaced too. I don't see how you can avoid calling an electrician. (Soon)

Andy in ATL · 11-25-2007, 12:45 AM

Anti-oxidant is just that. The problem with AL is that it expands and contract MUCH more than copper does with temp. fluctuations. I have personally retightened lugs that I installed initially with a torque wrench and was a bit dismayed at the difference a few months make.

There is a teenie weenie chance this is a POCO problem, but it is certainly sounding like a breaker.

Andy

RichyL · 11-25-2007, 02:17 AM

It is a compound that is used to prevent oxidation of aluminum wiring. You can tell when this is happening cause the wire will begin to turn green like the statue of liberty. However a corroding wire can cause connection failures and breakage. In the picture it appears his wiring is not corroding. It seems to be a heatbuildup that exceeds the rating of the awg. But yeah aluminum conductors do expand and contrast (creepage) which could loosen connections.

s0lidgr0und · 11-25-2007, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy

Check this out....

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07036.html

I notice some of the larger breakers in the picture dont have the white amperage letters on the levers.

May be some/all are truely defective from Chinar... [imagine that]

Jesus Christ. My whole box is Square D with no white letters.

11-24-2007, 07:56 PM	#16
HouseHelper Licensed Pro Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SC Posts: 1,439	Unique problem - House main trips, but nothing else - only when dryer is on You've got a loose connection in the main wires at that burned lug. You will need to remove the main wires, cut away the damaged portion and re-install. If there is not a disconnect at the meter, you will need an electrician to pull the meter and repair this. Do not use any high load appliances (dryer, range) until this is fixed.

11-24-2007, 08:09 PM	#17
GREGNC Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 22	Unique problem - House main trips, but nothing else - only when dryer is on are my eyes deceiving me or is that a strand of the neutral wire hanging beside the hot lug?? if so it may be arcing with high current demand from the dryer.

11-24-2007, 08:21 PM	#18
Andy in ATL Electrician philosopher Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lilburn, GA Posts: 838	Unique problem - House main trips, but nothing else - only when dryer is on Goodeye greg..WTF is THAT!!! Why won't it do it on the oven as well, though?

11-24-2007, 08:38 PM	#19
RichyL Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Anywhere, USA Posts: 90	Unique problem - House main trips, but nothing else - only when dryer is on thats what i was wondering, because the oven usually draws more power than the dryer. It appears all the breakers are turned on in the panel, which one is for the dryer?

11-24-2007, 08:40 PM	#20
GREGNC Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 22	Unique problem - House main trips, but nothing else - only when dryer is on dont know the answer for that Andy.You would think on broil it pulls as many amps as the dryer.Maybe its the dryer and other combinations ie.heatpump??

Unique problem - House main trips, but nothing else - only when dryer is on