Painted bus right from the factory

[Douglas Hansen]

Looked at an Eaton 200-amp Meter/Main panel today, and the bus is coated with a thin layer of paint. It is not the "silver flash-plating" that Eaton describes in their catalog or that I see on most panels. Everything else about it seemed to look like any other Eaton panel, including the UL listing.

Has anyone else seen something like this?

Thanks

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[Jim Katen]

Yes. I've seen it several times. I never thought it was paint but some kind of oxidation or anodization. When you slip a breaker on or off the bus bar, the spots where the breaker jaws grabbed the bar become shiny, but no particles fall away, as they would with paint. It doesn't seem to have any effect on the ability of the bus to make good electrical connections.

[kurt]

I've seen it too. It's not paint, or at least it doesn't look or act like paint.

I thought it was an acid wash or some similar treatment so the contact points would have a microtexture that would grab the clip.

[mlparham]

I suspect that the supplier is now using either Nickel or Tin as a coating on the bus bars. Based on the color I think that it is Tin. If the supplier is based in China I would expect that at least 1% Cadmium is included.

[mlparham]

I called Eaton's customer service number, got transferred to a local manufacturing plant, left a voice mail and got no reply. I am curious about the coating.

[mlparham]

This may be the answer. Powder Coat for Buss Bars

[Jim Katen]

This may be the answer. Powder Coat for Buss Bars

Those are insulating coatings.

[mlparham]

This may be the answer. Powder Coat for Buss Bars

Those are insulating coatings.

Then that ain't the answer.