Tempory fix for outdoor panel

[Rdtompki]

I've got an aging Crouse-hines (sp?) that I need to replace soon. This is on an outdoor pole and services a barn. The colder temperature are causing some intermittent breaker contact (bus bar corrosion and the like) and I'm wondering if the use of a bit of silicone dielectric grease to improve the situation until I get the panel replaced in two weeks. I know this isn't "approved", but if it works seems like it would be better than going out in the pitch black and trying to get the panel going at 4 am.

Rick

 

[Bob NH]

You could put the grease on after you use a wire brush or some abrasive to remove any contact corrosion (presumably with the power off). The effect of the grease will be to keep humidity, and therefore corrosion, out of the area where the protective finish has been or will be removed by the cleaning.

You might see if the problem could be solved by putting in a new breaker. Sometimes the spring forces that hold the breaker contacts on the bus bar are weakened and a new breaker might work better.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[hj]

breaker

A conducting material, such as Analox, inside the contact points might be more effective than coating the contacts.