FPE panel issue

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chris kennedy said:
I think this is a reminder of that recall. This was found on a commercial distribution panel.

FPEWarning.jpg
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Wish i could find a list of these old recalls. This panel may be ok, then again it may not. if its ok, then i probably can come up with something different. Oh well, circuit tracing time!! ;) I can never understand why some people deliberately short circuits to find them when tracers are soo cheap now.
 
The FPE resi stuff was never recalled. You will never find a recall list on those. It is just generally agreed that they have failed to perform as expected over the years, and they folded as a business just in the nick of time.
 
brian john said:
Anybody have any FPR residential CB send me a few I'll test them and lets see how many fail.
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There's a breaker shop here in town that I have taken many a breaker to for testing - to include a number of FPE 150, and 200a main CB's and some harder to find branch breakers, and some more expensive than the testing of them. About 50% fail... As for many of thier branch breakers in the stab-lock line many will hold well over 100% indefinitely, 200% for far too long, and even hold a dead short until some portion of the circuit acts as a fuse. That said - depending on the year and model - you will be shocked to find that way too many fail. Seriously, - you could arc weld with most of them.

As for the OP - FPE panels make nice J-boxes. Put a 2" nipple into a new panel right next to it.
 
Short.Circuit said:
I jjust replace 3 old FPE panels installed in the 70s.
I directled shorted the wires together at a receptacle &
the breakers would not trip.... not good, except for welding.
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For what its worth - this is an exceptionally dangerous practice that can not be condonned in any way shape or form. The risks of personal injury and property damage are much higher than you think.
 
100% indefinitely, 200% for far too long,
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Square D, GE Siemens and and and will hold 100% indefinitely and at 200% that is no test you do not have that much time. Industry standard for long time operation is 300%.
 
Brother, recommend to these folks a good EC who will price a panel change. At least they can get a number so that they know what they are up against and to begin to budget toward.
 
Minuteman said:
Brother, recommend to these folks a good EC who will price a panel change. At least they can get a number so that they know what they are up against and to begin to budget toward.
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well thats what was recommended at first, but they do something to 'lessen' the evil NOW. I have admit at least they are trying. Any good contractor here would be an expensive price. As for myself, just reading up on the fpe, I really do NOT want to touch the panel at all if its not going to be entirely replace.

Just extra insurance, lets say in a long shot that something does go wrong, then there is no way they can say we 'touch' the fpe panel. ;)
 
out of curiosity when were the fpes last installed on a typical basis? If you have an older house with a fpe panel in it can you consider that panel safe? Or is it highly reccomended to change it out?
 
billdozier said:
out of curiosity when were the fpes last installed on a typical basis? If you have an older house with a fpe panel in it can you consider that panel safe? Or is it highly reccomended to change it out?
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Sometime in the early 80's FPE went out of business in the USA. As for the panel I would change it out just based on age alone 30+ some years. But if money was an issue I would peform a visual inspection and FOP test as noted, the average EC does not have the proper equipment to high current test the CBs.

As for the failure to trip issue some have noted I am willing to test any FPE CBs sent to me.
 
brian john said:
Square D, GE Siemens and and and will hold 100% indefinitely and at 200% that is no test you do not have that much time. Industry standard for long time operation is 300%.
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Sorry Brian John - meant to say 100% OVER it's rating (=200%), and 200% OVER its rating (=300%) - of course one would expect for it to hold 100% OF its rating... But the point is that they often won't trip at all in a bolted short. IMO the "Never Trip" reputation is more from field experiance from guys on the ground - but if you get 5 dozen boxes sent to you, the evidence will show pretty much just that. Let us know....
 
you gonna test em for free? i have access to about 50 stab lok breakers if you want to test em - just to see how the make out - would be interesting to say the least
 
billdozier said:
out of curiosity when were the fpes last installed on a typical basis? If you have an older house with a fpe panel in it can you consider that panel safe? Or is it highly reccomended to change it out?
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I last saw a brand new install in 97. It was in a cash machine Kiosk shipped down from Canada. It had to be replaced because the breakers closed in the out position and opened in the in position. This was a brand new stab-loc panel.
 
Short.Circuit said:
I jjust replace 3 old FPE panels installed in the 70s.
I directled shorted the wires together at a receptacle &
the breakers would not trip.... not good, except for welding.
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I see you earned your screen name. Will you be changing it to I LIKE FIRES ?
of all the things you might do this is never a smart idea. You could have got hurt or caught house on fire .
 
Do the right thing and replace the panel. How will you feel if that house burns down and kills some kids ? Just cause it in getto dont mean they need live in danger. A few hours times and $200 in material. Give them a fair price and they likely go for it. The gfci will not help anything here. Your playing with your license and insurance here and lives.
 
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