New Electric Main Shut off

[FrankInWIS]

They "energized" my new meter pedestal and 200 service panel.  I did the wiring.  When I got up there this weekend, I was excited to see the meter in, and I went to the service panel to turn on the main breaker....and it won't stay on!  I switch it all the way to off....the try to keep it on "on", but it won't stay.

Short??? I pulled all of the breakers out....still won't stay "on".  I checked the two hot wires going in the middle, and each had power.  I didn't have meter/tester with me.  I simply ran a wire from each of the plugs to a simple light.  When I put on wire on the one of the hot's going in and the other on the ground, the light lit.  Same when I did it to the other power line coming in. 
I wonder if a main breaker can be DOA (dead on arrival).  Everything seems ok.... ground and nutreal on same post...and neither = hot.  Only the two wires that should be hot are. 

[desdawg]

It does sound like a defective breaker Frank.

[JRR]

Is the breaker a Ground Fault Interrupter type?

[peternap]

I doubt it's a short. It would be ...energetic

Can you feel a vibration in the switch when you close it?

Pull the switch and see if you can close it when it;s not connected to the buss.

I'm betting it's a bad switch.....But then, I'm wrong once in a while

[FrankInWI]

not a GFI, this is the MAIN breaker in the panel.  it's bolted to the buss (termonology). 

[TheWire]

Frank,

Did you try the main switch before power was on?  I agree with those saying the main is bad.  Did it get water in it?

I would pull the meter and see if the main does the same thing without any power available.  You will need to clip the meter seal to do this.  Just call the power company and tell them as soon as your done so they can replace the seal.

If in fact the main is bad, you will need to pull the meter anyway to deenergize the power to the main.

Jerry

[FrankInWI]

Thanks Jerry and all.... 

I had electric on my lot at another location before installing the new base / panel and having the power brought in underground from another pole.  Luckily they did not pull the other meter yet, so I get one bill....with charges for two meters.  It's a small charge and I am glad for the spare electric now!  Don't like running those LONG extension cords...but that's temporary. 

Think I will call the today, have them pull the meter, and install new panel and main this weekend ("Square D" this time!).  I don't want to screw with it for less than $200.  I will take panel back to the store and try to get my $$ back too! 

Thanks
Frank

[FrankInWI]

Some times it's good to see costs of labor published here too.  I have a electrition I found on craigslist coming in to help me for $20 an hour, with me helping, to wire the garage / loft.  He is licensed and insured in the other county.  He moved to our rural area from big city and I think he is having hard time getting regular work.   That seems very reasonable to me.
I'd do it all myself, but if I can get expert help and good price, I'll take it too. 
My three laid off framers created a small miracle on the second level and roof in three days for $25 / hr each.

[FrankInWI]

working intermitantly / weekends can sure slow things up.  Yep, turns out the CH Service panel I installed WAS deffective.  I bought a new panel (Square D) and switched it out last weekend.   This last week I had the electric co. re-energize.   When I went up Friday, it was "live".   Saturday the electrician came in and we roughed in the whole building, both floors, in 11 hours.  He cost me $280.  Very happy with that.

[MountainDon]

Good news Frank.