Knowledge on FPE QMQB Panelboard and NBLP Panelboard

busman

busman

Senior Member
Location
Northern Virginia
Occupation
Master Electrician / Electrical Engineer
All,

I know how much experience many of you have with older equipment. I got a call from a local church saying they had a $26K proposal to replace all their panelboards because 2 space heaters on one circuit tripped the CB. Anyway, photo follow:

  1. Service is about 200A (no main disconnect, just going by the PoCo drop size) single phase 120/240V
  2. Has a CT cabinet (no idea why)
  3. Feeds a 6 space QMQB panelboard which appears to be in OK shape with only three spaces in use
  4. This feeds one small modern CH subpanel (not an issue)
  5. It also feeds two NBLP subpanels (one of them in right side of photo)
I would appreciate all feedback. My recommendation is basically "do nothing". If they are worried about the FPE subpanels (bolt on, not Stab-Lok) I might recommend replacing all the branch circuit breakers as there appear to be replacement new ETL listed CB available a reasonable cost. Thoughts?

As always, I greatly value your collective insight and even better to help a church that does a lot of community service.

Thanks,

Mark

PS: I have more photos. Please request and I'll be glad to post. The "seal" on the top of the meter can is a bit "special".

1742152315704.png
1742152416838.png
1742152496222.png
 
I might upgrade the fuses to be time delay current limiting, but otherthsn that i eouldnt change any equipment yet.

If they have extra money to spend, there is nothing wrong with replacing 60 year old equipment, even if they only do one panel at a time.
 
jim dungar said:
I might upgrade the fuses to be time delay current limiting, but otherthsn that i eouldnt change any equipment yet.

If they have extra money to spend, there is nothing wrong with replacing 60 year old equipment, even if they only do one panel at a time.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much. That is a great suggestion. Their congregation is dwindling, so I don't think they have money to burn.

Mark
 
That vintage of FPE was really solid gear. If it were my church, I might say do nothing, but as a business decision, go make that money.
 
infinity said:
Can you post photos of the drop on the outside?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure I took one, but I am 100% sure it is single phase, approximately 1/0 (standard for a 200A service around here). Only about a mile from my house. I'll sure go take one if you still want to see it.

Thanks again,

Mark
 
CoolWill said:
That vintage of FPE was really solid gear. If it were my church, I might say do nothing, but as a business decision, go make that money.
Click to expand...
No business decision for me. I have ALL the work I can stand and I just don't want to see them get suckered into something they don't NEED. Also, I'm probably going to brief the Church Council on this and I'll bring this thread along so they know it is NOT just my opinion. You are all a great resource.

Thanks,

Mark
 
Also, does anyone know if those FPE bolt-on breakers have the issue that the "red handle" ones do?

Thanks,

Mark
 
Could there be more than one service on the building? That is most definitely a three pole fused MDP.
 
CoolWill said:
Could there be more than one service on the building? That is most definitely a three pole fused MDP.
Click to expand...
I agree, a three pole MDP. Only one service, unless one is invisible. I'll get more photos this afternoon.

Thanks all,

Mark
 
busman said:
I'm not sure I took one, but I am 100% sure it is single phase, approximately 1/0 (standard for a 200A service around here). Only about a mile from my house. I'll sure go take one if you still want to see it.

Thanks again,

Mark
Click to expand...
With comment on having CT , and your thought it being single phase and showing a three fused switch don't jive. If it is single phase that neutral shouldn't be fused. More likely you have a three phase.
 
Fred B said:
With comment on having CT , and your thought it being single phase and showing a three fused switch don't jive. If it is single phase that neutral shouldn't be fused. More likely you have a three phase.
Click to expand...
I get it, but you can't get three phase from a single can on the pole. Photos coming. You'll probably make me look dumb.

Mark
 
Fred B said:
With comment on having CT , and your thought it being single phase and showing a three fused switch don't jive. If it is single phase that neutral shouldn't be fused. More likely you have a three phase.
Click to expand...
Very possible. Our church had a high leg in it.
 
Oh, and the frame around that closet opening blocks the CT cover from opening more than about 1-2".

Mark
 
busman said:
Oh, and the frame around that closet opening blocks the CT cover from opening more than about 1-2".
Click to expand...
I would not replace the panels, I recommend fixing any working space issues, I often recommend that in older buildings where creative carpentry has blocked working space.
Probably the most effective safety upgrade would be to go thru all the receptacles with a tester and survey for common issues broken of loose ones, look at adding GFCI receptacles where necessary. l worked on a church that had all kinds of events with lots of flexible cords indoors and out with no GFCI protection, several broken receptacles and a few with the EGC not connected.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top