Might have mentioned it's important to turn off the panel's main breaker before attempting to shove a screwdriver into the panel though.
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Square D QO Panel Recall
Some people have heard there is a Square D QO panel recall. These are good panels. I specify and provide them for clients all the time.
I have gone to the Schneider Electric (Square D) website and found the recall is based upon "The wire binding screw within the lug body could potentially not be torqued properly to the Plug-on-Neutral bar."
I don't believe I can drop a picture here. Go to my website and I will post an image there. Kingrexelectric.com. There are 2. One on each side of the panel.
Use a T20 Torx wrench and check the screw is tight. In the next day or so I will get the actual torque.
I assume most people won’t have a calibrated torque wrench. Try and turn the screw with a hand driver such as in the image. If it feels tight and won’t move it is fine. If it starts to screw in, continue until it lands tight, and then use firm force to set it in place. I use 2 hands and nudge it tight.
This is a very safe panel. It is one of the best affordable panels for audiophile to use. Especially when the ground and neutral is changed to copper. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Rex
Kingrex Electric
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- 24 posts total
If your Square D QO Load Center panel is on the recall list I suggest you call an electrician to do the job. He will check all the neutral bar assembly connections for tightness, and proper torque. If the electrical panel has been in use for a while and the binding screw(s) is not torqued properly and there has been heating in the connection the screw may resist being screwed in and may show it is torqued to specs but it really isn’t. A qualified licensed electrician knows how to check the screw to the tapped thread in the lug body to verify the screw is not seized in the lug body. FWIW, Schneider electric should pay the Electrical Contractor/Electrician for his labor. Good luck getting paid... A one hour service call charge should cover the cost. Photo of binding screws https://www.kingrexelectric.com/square-d-panel-recall
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Jea, that is a very good point. If the connection has indeed had arching occurring, it may well have weakened the molecule integrity of the materials and require replacement of the panel interior. If the screw was not set and the metal got hot enough, even though you might feel you set it tight, it could crack/split the lug over time. The NEC does not allow for reconditioning of a loadcenter, so you would need to pull the interior out of the panel can and replace it with new. I'm pretty sure SqD would cough up the associated cost for such a change. I think your out of luck getting paid for a service call that confirms the panel was correct from the plant.
I spoke with a Square D engineer today. He was somewhat bemused that no images of the screw are provided, nor is the torque of the screw. He said he believes I am correct in what screw I show on my site. He is going to get back to me on the torque. |
- 24 posts total