FPE panel in closet

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JoeNorm

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WA
I am supposed to add a heat pump circuit to a completely full FPE Stablock panel. Panel is in a cloths closet and on an exterior wall.

I have never seen an FPE until now. Some say to replace ASAP and others say they are fine.

The options here are to get a few replacement breakers from Connecticut Electric or do a panel swap. I think if I got a few "thin" style breakers I can make room for a two-pole breaker I need for the heat pump(correct me if I am wrong). But then the customer still has a panel in a closet and a panel with a bad reputation that I have last touched.

Other option is a service upgrade. I would install new load center on the outside wall and use the old FPE as a J-box. Problem there is I can hardly find a single exterior rated panel in stock anywhere.

I guess I am looking for advice, should I even be considering keeping the FPE panel in use? Or is the service upgrade the obvious route and the HO just might have to wait for the panel a couple weeks?
 
If you were in New Jersey a new panel could go right back in the same location. Not sure if your AHJ would permit that since it's prohibited by the NEC. I would not keep it. I would replace that old piece of junk.
 
The other question that comes to mind is was the closet there at the time of install or was it added without permits? This also can change that ruling whether it can go back or not.
 
I think you would get an almost unanimous opinion to replace the FPE (not only for safety but replacement breaker price)
Locating a new panel will depend on the rules is your area but, if you use the existing as a j box you want to keep your "extensions" to less than 6 ft to avoid AFCI.
 
augie47 said:
I think you would get an almost unanimous opinion to replace the FPE (not only for safety but replacement breaker price)
Locating a new panel will depend on the rules is your area but, if you use the existing as a j box you want to keep your "extensions" to less than 6 ft to avoid AFCI.
Click to expand...
Yes, new panel would be directly behind old
 
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