Oil is leaking from a circuit breaker

Issue:
Circuit breaker is covered with or seems to be leaking an oily substance.

Environment:
Circuit breakers connected to cable with PVC insulation

Resolution:
Circuit breakers are constructed with no oil and only trace amounts of grease and it is simply not possible for the breaker to be a source of an accumulation of an oily substance either inside or outside of the circuit breaker. However, it is possible for circuit breakers to become saturated with an oily substance and give the appearance that it is coming from the breaker.

The source of the oil is the plasticizer used in the PVC insulation which is sometimes used as the insulation on power conductors. Under some conditions noted in the attachments, the plasticizer can separate from the polymer base and wick along inside the conductor and end up in or on the circuit breaker and/or other equipment connected to the wires.

Please review the attached bulletin explaining the process by which this happens and some recommended actions.

Released for: Schneider Electric Canada