Square D QO Panel Recall

Exactly.   A loose screw.  This is an issue if not addressed. 

Fortunately its very easy to remedy. 

FWIW, I use these panels for audio.  As such, I don't use the plug on neutral..

  I use AFCI with tails to keep all my contact points cooper.  Never use aluminum wire in the audio chain.  .  Pigtails make the bar a mount only.  With breakers locked into it as a support, it won't fall out.  But used as a neutral is would suffer loose contact and arch at the connection point causing havoc with any appliance plugged into it.   It would also burn at the connection point but I highly doubt the arc would ever propagate out of the metal enclosure.  

Many states and municipalities allow a home owner to pull a permit and perform electrical installations on their own.  It is reasonable to assume many will check the screw on their own.  

The information I am trying to provide will help a homeowner and contractor.   A senior engineer at SqD is having to ask around the company to know what the policies and procedures are.  Nothing is published.  At this point my guess is they have non.  

It appears out of 1.5 million panels sold, there is 1 complaint of a non torqued screw.

What happened to roxy54 candid response?😁

I have been on hold for 20 minutes trying to get the torque. 

This information can be given to an electrician. 

Homeowners shouldn't do this. 

Jea, that is a very good point.  If the connection has indeed had arching occurring, it may well have weakened the molecule integrity of the materials and require replacement of the panel interior.  If the screw was not set and the metal got hot enough, even though you might feel you set it tight, it could crack/split the lug over time. 

 The NEC does not allow for reconditioning of a loadcenter, so you would need to pull the interior out of the panel can and replace it with new.  I'm pretty sure SqD would cough up the associated cost for such a change.  I think your out of luck getting paid for a service call that confirms the panel was correct from the plant.  

I spoke with a Square D engineer today.  He was somewhat bemused that no images of the screw are provided, nor is the torque of the screw.  He said he believes I am correct in what screw I show on my site.  He is going to get back to me on the torque.   

A sub panel is easy to check.  You can turn off the feeder breaker and completely deenergize the panel.   If you don't have plug on neutral AFCI or GRCI breakers then you have nothing to worry about.  Its only if you have current on the plug on neutral.  You can check the date code against the published numbers on Schneider Electric site.  

Jea, if you are mearly tightening a screw then no it would not apply.  Tighten the screw and your done.  

If arcing had occures and the lug and or neutral bar were burned and required replacement, this would constitute reconditioning.  I highly doubt you could purchase the lug and bar as individual items from Schneider.  They would tell your distributor to hand you a new panel off the shelf from their stock.  The logistics and paperwork to provide parts as well as concern over how far had the arc propogated is a liability.  Easier to just give you an interior.  Especially since the number of units affected might be counted on your hands.  

I will know more soon.  My source is reliable.  I have asked what is the procedure if an arc has occured.  

My gut says, if the scew was set properly at the factory, there is nothing to do.  If it were not, they are going to hand you a replacement panel.  Schneider is a multi billion $ company.  They don't want the paperwork..