Smell Coming From Main Breaker

RE: Ceiling Fan/Main Braker sparked flames Post By Cal Orey (Guest Post) (07/05/2007) half the power shut off in the house. it took 2 electricians to troubleshoot for 5 hrs. I am being blamed for it. Isn't it the landlord's responsibility? If I wasn't here, my pets and possessions could have gone up in fire. Very upset. They are sticking me with the bill (2X 1/2 after hours; raising rent most likely). Help. RE: Smell Coming From Main Breaker Post by gator10tx (50) | (03/06/2006) Profile | Contact Definitely... turn off the circuit breaker immediately then call an electrician! If you live in an apt complex, call Maintenance now. Do *not* wait on this. RE: Smell Coming From Main Breaker Post By jpmiller (Guest Post) (05/04/2005) The first electrician recomended replacing the entire panel as the main breaker was obviously going bad. The second electrician pulled the meter, tightened the incoming connection, and replaced the meter. The problem is fixed. Always get a second opinion! Thanks for the advice. JM RE: Smell Coming From Main Breaker Post By mnksmommy (Guest Post) (05/02/2005) I had a similar problem. I keep smelling a burnt or melted plastic smell from our fuse box. I couldn't figure it out. One night, I walked into a hazy living room--and we had to shut off the power and call our power co. to take out our meter--the breakers had begun melting and were glowing red hot--we were very blessed and lucky that we caught it in time or it may have been worse. Please do not wait around on this--get a professional to check it out!!! RE: Smell Coming From Main Breaker Post by MrsMoted2 (34) | (05/02/2005) Contact This sounds like a real fire hazard !! Please do call an electrican right away. But call a few and get different estimates and ask if they charge for estimates first RE: Smell Coming From Main Breaker Post by ThriftyFun (3952) | (05/01/2005) Profile | Blog! | Contact It is very unlikely that the incoming cable is overloaded, unless a neighbor plugs in somewhere to let you power his hydroponic lights. Usually that heat problem is from a loose connection between the incoming cable and the main breaker. I hesitate to recommend that an amateur tighten that herself, because there is absolutely no protection between that incoming power cable and the big subdivision transformer. Turning the main breaker off doesn't do anything, since it is the connection feeding the breaker that needs tightening. A trained electrician knows how to protect himself, and I highly recommend calling one for that chore. If it absolutely has to be done by the home owner, I recommend the following: Get the biggest screwdriver that will fit the connection on the main breaker. Wrap the metal shaft of the screwdriver with a few layers of electrical tape so that only the tip is exposed. Place a dry welcome mat or small rug below the breaker box to stand on. Stand straight in front of the breaker and think through your action, so that you can perform it smoothly and without wondering what to do. Tighten the connection screw until it squeaks or can't be tightened any more. Loosen it half a turn, and tighten it again until it squeaks or can't be tightened any further. By the way, to accurately pinpoint the heat source, a cheap black and white security camera can be used. The cheaper the better. They reach far into the infrared and hot spots appear much lighter and brighter than the rest of the picture. Have FUN! DearWebby http://www.webby.com/humor RE: Smell Coming From Main Breaker Post By Sharon,KY (Guest Post) (05/01/2005) NEVER EVER ingnore an electrical problem. If money to pay for repair call until you find someone who will let you pay as you can.If you're a renter the Landlord is responsible for the repair.A young single mom at church kept noticing problem with a ceiling fan and she lost EVERYTHING. For the safety of your family don't let another day go by without getting it checked out RE: Smell Coming From Main Breaker Post By Sharon,Ky (Guest Post) (05/01/2005) NEVER EVER just irgnore an electrical problem.If the issue is money,if you are renting that is the Landlord's responsibility.Call around till you find an electrician (if it's YOUR house) who will allow you to pay as you can.Electrical problems don't just go away--they MUST BE FIXED! A young Mother I go to church with kept noticing a ceiling fan problem and one night while she was at church it caught fire and they lost everything. PLEASE take care of this for your family's safety. RE: Smell Coming From Main Breaker Post by beanygurl (130) | (05/01/2005) Contact I agree to call an electrician. Your local fire department may also be willing to attend and determine the safety hazard. RE: Smell Coming From Main Breaker Post by Sew Sew Mitch (17) | (05/01/2005) Contact Call an electrician immediately! Turn off the breaker! It seems you have an electrical problem that could result in a fire.