Originally posted by @Loren Thomas:
Look like an older Square D QO panel? As far as old panels go, it doesn't get much better.
That said, I can't real the main breaker size well, looks like 150A, if it is, then you might be overloading the panel with all those tandem breakers. If its been like it is there for years and only recently has been issues then I wouldn't worry about that.
Looks to me like you're losing a phase, notice how its always the right side of the breaker. The left side of the tandem breakers is one phase, the right is another. Your main breaker could be going bad, but its difficult to troubleshoot. If I were you, I'd call the utility. At the very least, they'll eliminate some possibilities. They won't check outlets and that sort, but they should pull the panel cover off and test the feeders coming in to the main breaker.
For what it's worth, there a few minor code violations I see, but nothing unsafe so I'm not going to bother listing them unless you want me to.
I have some issues with this post.
In a previous post in this thread, you mention to someone to "make space in their panel by using peanut breakers" But then here, you mention they might be overloading the panel with all the tandems. So which is it? *********It depends, how many amps is the panel? Are the appliances gas or electric? How big of a house or building? What are the current metered loads?******* On one hand, USE peanut (never heard them called this yet. I like hearing what people across the country call different materials. For example I call tandem breakers Piggybacks) But on the other hand her panel looks overloaded. Without a load calculation, one can't truly know.
At the time of me replying to this, the issue had been found out, but yes you are correct, one phase is loose. Could be at the main breaker, the meter, or the weatherhead. Dangerous situation... I've replaced main panels that were arcing at the lug and it was just no good. The whole area around the lug turned brown and black.
Your statement is incorrect. "notice how its always the right side of the breaker. The left side of the tandem breakers is one phase, the right is another." This isn't true. Tandems don't split any phase. They are on the same phase and only provide a new breaker on the same part of the buss. *******This is correct information, glad there's always someone to correct misinformation.******
What code violations do you see? I'm curious.***** I see: 1) Multiple grounded conductors under one screw, 2) More than 2 grounding conductors under one screw, 3) Grounded conductors landed together with grounding conductors, 4) No re-phasing, 5) Conductor entering can with no protection (could be ground or bond, looks too small though to me and seems to be wrapped around other wires, probably needs to be removed and a KO seal installed, 6) I don't see any wires large enough for ground rods, 7) I don't see and wires large enough for the plumbing bond, 8) I suspected the cover probably doesn't have a breaker black in it, 9) Some of the sheething enters the can too far for my liking but dunno what the code says off hand. ******
