FPE panel issue

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I have a customer that wants me to just replace the breakers with new ones.
What do you think? I have found new and reman. breakers for Federal boxes.
They even sale them at the big box stores.
 
cmesaw said:
I have a customer that wants me to just replace the breakers with new ones.
What do you think? I have found new and reman. breakers for Federal boxes.
They even sale them at the big box stores.
Click to expand...

Depends on how many you are talking about replacing. If it is a whole panel full maybe cheaper to just change the panel.
 
cmesaw said:
I have a customer that wants me to just replace the breakers with new ones.
What do you think? I have found new and reman. breakers for Federal boxes.
They even sale them at the big box stores.
Click to expand...

I personally would say no thank you. That is just flat out crazy and will cost just as much as a new panel. Do you want your name on this panel ?
 
Ok now. The Question I had was about just changing out the breakers.
In a federal panel. In a condo. A residential setting.
Just changing the breakers. I too have priced the interior cuts the CH sales.
The panel in drywalled in and the condo factor does not help.
 
cmesaw said:
Ok now. The Question I had was about just changing out the breakers.
In a federal panel. In a condo. A residential setting.
Just changing the breakers. I too have priced the interior cuts the CH sales.
The panel in drywalled in and the condo factor does not help.
Click to expand...


First off, welcome to the Forums. :)

I think we all understand that, but there has been an overwhelmingly negative history with FPE equipment of virtually all styles. That's why the other information was brought up. :)

In resi applications, there have been many reports of fires and breaker failures with FPE. That, and the cost factor of trying to replace breakers, means that in most cases the best thing you can do for your customer is to replace that junk with a modern, more reliable replacement. :)

I have personally seen several failures of FPE gear, including one panel that exploded in my face some years ago. (All resi stuff.)
 
Yes welcome to the Forum, NFPE

Yes welcome to the Forum, NFPE

cmesaw said:
Ok now. The Question I had was about just changing out the breakers.
In a federal panel. In a condo. A residential setting.
Just changing the breakers. I too have priced the interior cuts the CH sales.
The panel in drywalled in and the condo factor does not help.
Click to expand...
I.M.M.H.O., I think from my experience, I would take a second on my home if I needed to change out an FPE panel. I did an electic baseboard install 31years ago for a client, and during the unintelligent moves of pushing the thermostat back into the box, the conductors shorted together. After, what seemed like an eternity, the buzzing stopped, the smoke cleared, the flash was gone. I made my way to the panel on the outside of the home, to find the 20 OCB was still upright and active. BUT, to my dismay was the 200 amp main had tripped, and after clearing the fault, it would not reset. EVER. I made no money on that job after purchasing a new 200 amp main. No, I have a bad feeling about FPE. I have worked on a number of those panels, old and new, and Had an Older Master Electrician, at the time, who swore by them, (not at them). J.M.H.O.
 
fed pac bad news, seen a panel burn up, well not panel, but wiring was charded, would be stupid for a customer not to want to change out the panel.
 
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