FPE Breakers

[celtic]

Is anyone here willing to risk their company on a used breaker? I'm not.

Well said.

 

[hillbilly]

A step further....Is anyone willing to risk their company on a "re-conditioned" breaker.
steve

 

[celtic]

Given the FACTS that:
- FPE lied to get/maintain their UL listing
- FPE buss are suspect
- FPE CB's are suspect


WHY any EC would goto to any length to locate any equipment associated with FPE to install in a customer's property completely eludes me.

I can understand that the 98 year old HO may not have the money for a complete panel swap - but a little chairty work once in awhile doesn't hurt.
A [100A GE "contractor pack"]from Big Blue is $60...20 circuit panel; MCB panel; etc.

The neighbors might decide that they need this type of EC in thier phonebook.

 

[infinity]

Given the FACTS that:
- FPE lied to get/maintain their UL listing
- FPE buss are suspect
- FPE CB's are suspect


WHY any EC would goto to any length to locate any equipment associated with FPE to install in a customer's property completely eludes me.

I can understand that the 98 year old HO may not have the money for a complete panel swap - but a little chairty work once in awhile doesn't hurt.
A [100A GE "contractor pack"]from Big Blue is $60...20 circuit panel; MCB panel; etc.

The neighbors might decide that they need this type of EC in thier phonebook.

That looks like a SQ D Homeline panel to me. The big orange GE panels are galvanized.

 

[Minuteman]

I had a service call yesterday where I had to sort out the mess the HO made when he tried to play electrician. The result of his efforts was a short circuit he created. It looks like the short fried the FPE breaker that was protecting the circuit, as I was unable to reset it even after I disconnected it from the bus.

Does anyone know where to get replacement FPE breakers?

So Jeff, did you get a replacement Connecticut Electric or American Breaker for your FPE panel? Or, did you sell your customer an upgrade?

 

[jeff43222]

I bought a Connecticut Electric one at Big Orange for $30. Customer was not interested in an upgrade.

 

[Minuteman]

I didn't think so. Most won't go for a panel upgrade - just because a obsolete breaker failed. (Unless there is damage to the buss.)

 

[celtic]

I didn't think so. Most won't go for a panel upgrade - just because a obsolete breaker failed. (Unless there is damage to the buss.)

The buss may also be an issue.

 

[Minuteman]

FPE buses usually are not as bad as ZINSCO buses. For some reason, every ZINSCO bus I have seen lately has some damage on it.

 

[satcom]

Never would think of installing a used breaker, and FPE lost their listing from cheating on tests, but the entire FPE panel is something of concern, your last mechanic in there, so you accept the liability, best to have customer sign refusal, to accept recommended upgrade.

The rebuilt breakers, i would use provided, they were rebuilt by orginal manufacture, and certified, 3rd party breaker houses, no thank you, nothing but problems from them and no assistance when needed.