RV Electrical panel annual maintenance?

[Guest]

Some may be tempted into buying a standard in-lb torque wrench but this tool would be used at the low end of the scale where the actual torque could be off. Since some boards can be rather fragile, the torqueing screw driver would be the best choice. The $54.00 model looks reasonable.
This is an excellent post where I will certainly check the torque values in my panel.

Jim

[Beachcamper]

I will check and snug up any loose connections. Not going to buy the tool for now.

[bertschb]

I can't believe I actually have a tool that you guys don't have!

I use this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Accur...SIN=B0012AXR4S

I'll make sure to check my panel when the RV arrives.

[Txfivver]

LOL you guys are the tinkeringest bunch I've ever seen ( is that a word?) This will be something I add to my to do list, guess I'll retire sooner than planned so I can work on my rolling home improvement project!

[howson]

LOL you guys are the tinkeringest bunch I've ever seen ( is that a word?) This will be something I add to my to do list, guess I'll retire sooner than planned so I can work on my rolling home improvement project!

Yep--I call mine "POW". Which is short for "Project on Wheels".

[Kksfish]

Ok guys, here’s another opinion on torquing main and branch circuit connections. I was an electrician for many years before becoming a inspector (government facilities)and always did the “tighten until it squeeked technique....then I had an opportunity to attend a seminar put on by a breaker manufacturer and they demonstrated using a known load the differences in current and temperatures at the terminals of conductors which had been torqued at different settings. Roque really did make a difference! A big surprise to me was that if over tightened the wire could be flattened and temp and amperage would increase! Yeah, electricians hated me when I required that all connections were torqued to the manufacturer’s recommendation as noted on their installation instructions clearly spelled out on the breaker and panel guts.
Do I torque my own panel, yes until it squeaks!

[howson]

Spotted a post today (on Facebook) that reminded me of this thread so "bumping" it so hopefully our new members see it.

The consensus of the commenters on the Facebook post (picture below) of what caused the burnt wires was 1) loose wires/connectors; 2) multiple wires ganged into on slot. (I don't know if having more than one neutral in a slot is bad or not--I'm not an electrician.)

Here's what the owner found while looking for the cause of a dead circuit:



Checking the tightness of these connectors should be on your "must do" list. I looked in a random WFCO manual to validate that there is indeed a torque value associated with these connectors. (I don't use a torque wrench--I use the "good and tight" method.)



Howard

[TucsonJim]

howson Howard - Looking back through this thread, something caught my eye. I have a question about a post you made above. I'm attaching your photo below. I'm hoping the area circled in blue is not a "butt" connector.

[Tom in PGH]

Somehow, I missed this entire thread when it was first active. While I had missed it, I didn’t miss it when Mike Sokol wrote about it. I had added it to my list of things that I check. I have it broken down to each month, and multiple listings for things that occur more than once a year. I put this one on the November list, and it came up today. I just completed it this afternoon.

I already had the torque screwdriver, as I got it for mounting rifle scopes. I hadn’t checked any of the screws up until today, and I was suprised to find several that were out of range. Not really loose, just not tightened to spec. Overall, probably about 20% turned up to 1/4 of a turn before the screwdriver popped, indicating that it was now properly set.

[howson]

I'm hoping the area circled in blue is not a "butt" connector.

I don't think it is. If it is there it -wasn't added by me, that I know for sure.