Melted wires in controller..need help

[Eamster]

All,

I have used this brau supply controller for what has to be 5 years now with no issue. It is a 30amp controller running a pump and a 5500 w element. Yesterday I smelled an acetone smell coming from the controller. When I took it apart today this is what I saw. Is this salvageable or should I invest in a new controller? Not much of an electrician so I am pretty lost on what to do.

thanks!

 

[doug293cz]

Yes this is salvageable. You need to replace the contactor (the device with the most heavily burned wire attached), and all wires that have any damage to the insulation. If you can wipe the soot off a wire, and the insulation is undamaged, then that wire can stay.

This looks like it started with a loose connection at the terminal that the burned wire connects to. Screw terminals can loosen over time due to vibration, or just thermal expansion and contraction due to temp changes inside the enclosure. This is why it is a good idea to go in and check all screw terminal connections for tightness every 6 months or so.

Brew on

 

[Eamster]

Awesome! I will do just that. That will save me a good 400 dollars!