ECN Forum
Posted By: Admin Smoking Gun - 03/24/05 08:06 PM
Quote
This is my first submission.

I have a maintenance agreement for a local townhome community. Got a call for a breaker trippping. No heat. Investigate and find a smoking Sylvania 2 pole 60a for the heat pump.The breaker overheated enough to melt the buss bar. So off to the supply house to get a new panel and cable *** panel recessed in the wall and 150a main*** 4 hours later im finished.(i think). I turn it on test everything and im on my way home. I live 3 miles away and dont even get home and i get a call on the cell " there's something smoking under the steps" The disconnect in the picture turned out to be under the steps and all kinds of junk piled in front of it. Not in sight of the heat pump it controls. NOW THE FUN PART 30a disco(60a heat pump) 3 pole disco (note the 2 hots and the ground on the terminals) . (Not bonded). The unit was installed 2 years ago by a heating contractor!!!
A simple job turned into a nightmare.

God i hate heating contractors that think they are electricians.

- denny3992
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: rad74ss Re: Smoking Gun - 03/24/05 09:25 PM
Ahhh. He wired the disco as an auxiliary heater for the space under the stairs.
Posted By: pauluk Re: Smoking Gun - 03/24/05 09:38 PM
A switched ground! Now there's something you don't see too often. (Thankfully! [Linked Image] )
Posted By: Ryan_J Re: Smoking Gun - 03/24/05 11:32 PM
"Brilliant"!
Posted By: electure Re: Smoking Gun - 03/25/05 01:17 AM
Thanks for sending in the pictures. [Linked Image]
It looks like they used a screwdriver out of their wife's junk drawer to tighten the lugs, too. Except the 2 burning ones, which they probably didn't tighten.
Posted By: rabowen Re: Smoking Gun - 04/10/05 02:30 AM
Lugs too small, probably had to trim a few strands off to get it to go in there.
Keeps us busy, though.
© ECN Electrical Forums