ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Photos for General Discussion Too Loose

I'm amazed that this lasted as long as it did!
The 2 lugs on the right were never tightened, and after 25 years I was able to remove the wires from both without any tools...just pull.
The original installer also went to great lengths to install the wrong kind of fuses in the disconnect feeding the panel.









...S

Scott,
Is this inside a fusible disconnect for a stand up switchgear? The disco looks like it was meant for something alot beefier than what it was being used for.. the conductors appear to be #2 or #4 THW's, what was the max current rating on the disco? Looking again at those lugs, as chewed up as they are, I get the feeling the installer didn't have the right size allen wrench to torque the lugs right
Just curious, what size are the fuses & what kinda wierd idea is attached to them to add length? The fuses don't look like they make very good contact on the "unextended" side! It is pretty amazing this lasted 25 years! Was the load on here just kept really low overtime?

-Randy

The lights come on when you turned on a switch. The electrical system must be ok.
Just go to show how forgiving electrical can be.

[This message has been edited by nesparky (edited 05-11-2004).]

Looks like 100-amp class-H-dimension fuses are "teetering" in 200-amp class-H clips.

Well, they actually are 100 amp fuses in a 100 amp disconnect, but...

They're "extremely fast acting" fuses, designed to protect semiconductors (inverters and the like).
They're meant to be bolted into a fuse block,(in which case the writing would show). This goofy guy got fuse reducers, and you can see the results.
Coupled with the fact that the panels are GTE/Sylvania (Zinsco) bolt-in models, the selectivity certainly leaves something to be desired
In the early life of this panel, it was under a pretty high load, with a lot of incandescent lighting and a 10hp fountain pump.
I noticed the arcing and sizzling sound while standing in front of the panel while it only had a 5 or 10 amp load on it.

Randy, I don't think that an allen wrench was ever applied to these lugs. I think that they were possibly just spun down with a screwdriver...S

Is it just me, or are the lugs actually loose from the busbars as well! They seem to be in different positions in the pics!

-Randy