change out or not

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southernboys#2

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Ive got a friend who is considering changing his old fuse box to a breaker pqanel. Is there anything wrong with a fuse box. What are the pros and cons to a fuse panel. If I change this panel I would add arcfault breakers and gfi breakers. would I have to rerun ckts as well or would the breakers be enough. What is a fair cost for this project thanks
 
Re: change out or not

Cons to a fuse panel if the fuse blows to the ac for no reason and you don't have a spare and its 3 o'clock in the morning on the hottest part of july then what ;) .

would I have to rerun ckts as well or would the breakers be enough.
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This part I don't understand :confused:

What is a fair cost for this project thanks
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That would depend on how extensive the job would be, you know: How many breakers, what size panel etc.

[ February 18, 2006, 12:07 AM: Message edited by: Jhr ]
 
Re: change out or not

Never seen many fuse panels that did not have more citcuits added in with over sized fuses to keep it from blowing. I would say it would be a good upgrade for the house. I don't know if I would add arc fault my be asking for a lot of T/S time to get it to work. go with gfi recpt not brakers you can buy 4-5 recpt for the cost of 1 breaker. Cost wise to many things to say. if the panel is a feeder you most likely will need to rerun the feeder wire with 4 wire.
 
Re: change out or not

do a "complete" 200amp service change
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That is the best option, sooner or later the homeowner will need to add a 110v or 220v circuit or more and then the service may not be of adaquate size, the money he is going to invest in the fuse panel change out would be wise to apply it to the new 200amp service IMO.
 
Re: change out or not

I don't really care for fuse panels.
That said, fuses don't go bad or wear out. They are either good or blown. They are rated for 100% of their amperage for continuous use.

Only Edison base fuse panels without adaptors will accept fuses that are oversized for the conductors (if the conductors are properly sized for the bases in safety fuse panels or panels with adaptors). If a standard light bulb will fit into the base, it is Edison.
I have only seen one fuse panel with fuses for A/C. Typically, I see where some goofball has landed #10's under the main lugs and run them unprotected to the A/C disconnect. This warrants an immediate change out.
Fuses are expensive and getting a little harder to come by. Edison base fuses have all but disappeared (not fast enough I might add).

I agree that a 200A changeout is the way to go but may be overkill or cost prohibitive. I would say to do a load calculation using the existing situation then add for a range, central air conditioning, and maybe hot water heater if the home does not have any of these on electric. Also put in a panel that allows for at least 4 more circuits than are already there. Don't forget to allow spaces for those second and third wires that always seem to be on one fuse. That will satisfy code about "# of conductors cannot exceed terminal specifications" and will help split up the load. If a 100 AMP panel will still meet the demand and satisfy code, put one in, if it won't go to the 200AMP. 125A and 150A panels will be almost as expensive to install as a 200A.
You would only need to re-run circuits if a ground was desired as existing wiring is grandfathered to the applicable codes at time of original installation (at least here in KY.).
I won't speak to the AFCI issue as that would be the AHJ's call. I have seen it go both ways, but never with a fuse panel to breaker panel changeout.
With a changeout, don't forget that you will have to add an earth ground if the existing service does not have one.

[ February 18, 2006, 10:45 PM: Message edited by: Matt Harp ]
 
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