Attn Electricians
 

For those professional electricians, I have two questions.

(A) On your typical Square D Electrical Panel (200A) there are six panel screws (10-32 w/Large Pan Head). I worked on a panel the other day when I needed to change out a Breaker (15A). I noticed that all six panel holes were wallowed out and the 10-32 screw barely caught a grip. So my question falls into this area. Does Square D make a "panel screw repair kit" which basically ups the screw diameter to a larger scew (ie: 12-28, etc)..?? Is this something that is done in the field by someone me by going to the hardware and buying larger screws..?? If this is a field modification, how big can one go..?? I am finding it a bit difficult to find 12-28's, although 12-24's seem a tad bit easier. What about 1/4-28..?? Any suggestions would be most welcome.

(B) I had to a replace a single pole 15A breaker. I had one heck of a time removing same. I finally got the defective breaker out. The "spring clip" on the front of the breaker where it grabs the "Buss strip" was dry. So, I was wondering what type or brand of "conductive grease" should be used on these clips or the knife blades in Disconnect Switches..?? I went to Schneider's Web Site and they talking about SWLUB (Dow BG-20). Seems that is quite expensive ~$30.00 for 5.3oz. Went to the Dow site and they cite BG-20 is a bearing grease (?????)

Is there a reasonable brand of "conductive grease" used to lubricate sliding surfaces in electrical equipment...??

:bigthink:

Can't help with the screws, but how about dielectric grease from an auto store? I put some inside spark plug boots and other places so the contacts don't stick.

Is there a reason you wouldn't be able to install clip on nuts to the panel?

https://www.amazon.com/Standard-U-St...een_browse-bin

I would suggest "Brain Grease" it is a dielectric grease for the distributor modules in Gm ignitions for many years.(also others)
Usually white and awfully sticky to get off yer finners, reminds me of white lead for lathe centers.
opps, showing my age here.
I would not think anything is wrong with going to a course thread 12-24 or even
1/4-20 unless there is some electrical code that specks a panel cover size fastener.
A course thread would allow more meat and be less likely to strip thin metal.

I have used this grease when doing repairs or replacements in main breaker boxes.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gardner-Ben...mpound/4514334

I thought about those "speed nuts" but don't know if there is enough "lip" on the Square D panel to accommodate them.

:bigthink:

Why not re-drill both the cover and the box flange to reuse the original screws in a new location? Also a possibility is the use of a #12 self tapping screw to"bite" in the bad hole. Just 2 suggestions that come to mind.

Duct tape or JB weld. :biggrin2:

To clarify,,
Duct Tape for the breaker,,,
JB Weld to replace the screws,,,

:bigthink:

To further clarify,,,
we both live in Virginia,, the inspection rules vary by state,,, :bigeyes:




:biggrin2: