Modifications to Existing 50 year old Switchboard

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Lady Engineer

Lady Engineer

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New Jersey
Ok, it's been awhile.

Hi guys, I've been spending a lot of my time in the field doing surveys and have been able to learn so much. Miss you all, really! Just really busy, but this job has been nothing short of a god-send. I love it...and I'm about to take my PE for the last time, hopefully!! :eek:)

Ok, now for the question. I have a 50 year old ITE MDP with westinghouse branch circuit breakers. I've been told it's hard to find breakers for this equipment, so I might have to settle for refurbished ones.

Do you think it's possible to modify the inside of the bus some how in order to fit modern type breakers in there or should I just get refurbished breakers, and how hard are they to get. I'm not sure how to go about this. This is a really old 1600A MDP, with a frankenstein type main C.B. I'm not messing with the incoming side, just the branches.

Please help.... :)

Lady ;)
 
I'd opt for refurbs over modifications, unless there are very compelling reasons to do otherwise.
 
retro fits tend to be expensive, I don't have experince with something as big as you discribe but a 200 A 3P panel with 30-40 circuits could run as much as 6k$.


I've had luck on larger gear with refurbished ckt breakers, that were classified for non existant manufactures. Some one must have the wetinghouse breakers you need. No???
 
LarryFine said:
I'd opt for refurbs over modifications, unless there are very compelling reasons to do otherwise.
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Hey Larry, thanks for your response. I've covered saying if it's modified, the it's has to be done by a manuf. so it doesn't void the UL label. However, you think finding refurbs is still a better solution?
 
Kind of going through a simlar situation. what about installing a new tap to a new piece of switcboard and install any new circuit breakers you need in this gear?
 
cpal said:
retro fits tend to be expensive, I don't have experince with something as big as you discribe but a 200 A 3P panel with 30-40 circuits could run as much as 6k$.


I've had luck on larger gear with refurbished ckt breakers, that were classified for non existant manufactures. Some one must have the wetinghouse breakers you need. No???
Click to expand...

I'm not sure and this job is going out to bid. I've been putting the information on the specs and drawings to add refurbs, but since they refuse to replace the switchboard, then I'll have to add refurbs to the switchboard. I figured I'd ask you all. Also, the two that I need are 2-300A, 3 pole breakers going into a 480V switchboard.
 
bwyllie said:
Kind of going through a simlar situation. what about installing a new tap to a new piece of switcboard and install any new circuit breakers you need in this gear?
Click to expand...

The electrical room is crowded, and the tap situation was an option, but I opened the switchboard (yes, I know not smart), and I saw there have been several taps. The bus has no place for a tap. The only reason I have room for the CB is because I'm removing 6-100A frame circuit breakers, so I figured I can just put in a larger size.

Lady :confused:
 
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Lady Engineer said:
I'm not sure and this job is going out to bid. I've been putting the information on the specs and drawings to add refurbs, but since they refuse to replace the switchboard, then I'll have to add refurbs to the switchboard. I figured I'd ask you all. Also, the two that I need are 2-300A, 3 pole breakers going into a 480V switchboard.
Click to expand...

see if this helps

http://www.pacificcoastbreaker.com/catalog/169

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=westinghouse+breakers&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
 
There HAS to be breakers out there...one search at "electrical advertiser" turned up 140 hits nationwide of used/reconditioned breaker houses. Try: http://www.ea-online.com/psearch.cfm

PS: Have you thought about replacing the gear? 1600A is not _that_ big, unless it's metal clad/enclosed, with insulated case breakers. Might cost a little now, but prevents running into problems down the road.

mike
 
Lady Engineer said:
Ok, it's been awhile.

Hi guys, I've been spending a lot of my time in the field doing surveys and have been able to learn so much. Miss you all, really! Just really busy, but this job has been nothing short of a god-send. I love it...and I'm about to take my PE for the last time, hopefully!! :eek:)

Ok, now for the question. I have a 50 year old ITE MDP with westinghouse branch circuit breakers. I've been told it's hard to find breakers for this equipment, so I might have to settle for refurbished ones.

Do you think it's possible to modify the inside of the bus some how in order to fit modern type breakers in there or should I just get refurbished breakers, and how hard are they to get. I'm not sure how to go about this. This is a really old 1600A MDP, with a frankenstein type main C.B. I'm not messing with the incoming side, just the branches.

Please help.... :)

Lady ;)
Click to expand...

Why not only reuse the panel can? remove the "guts" and re-install new guts by drilling and tapping holes in the necessary places?

Or is this not an option?
 
Lady Engineer said:
Ok, it's been awhile.

Hi guys, I've been spending a lot of my time in the field doing surveys and have been able to learn so much. Miss you all, really! Just really busy, but this job has been nothing short of a god-send. I love it...and I'm about to take my PE for the last time, hopefully!! :eek:)

Lady ;)
Click to expand...
Wish you luck on your PE.

The most effective way for me to study for it was to get a book of what were supposed to be recent exam questions, and the answer book, and do as many problem as possible. You can fill your weekends and evenings between now and April.

My PE exam was more than 30 years ago when they allowed you to bring in a suitcase full of references, and you picked four problems in the morning and four in the afternoon from maybe a hundred in the exam book. Maybe they do multiple choice now so it is easier to score.

I found that there were a lot of problems where there were several ways to get a "right" answer in an engineering sense, that might not exactly match the answer in the book. I don't know how picky they are in getting the precise answer, and don't even know if they use the same format.
 
We have a lot of old westinghouse equipment, you can find a lot of older stuff at eaton, they still make a lot, somethings however have been sold off to other companies or trashed
 
Bob NH said:
Wish you luck on your PE.

The most effective way for me to study for it was to get a book of what were supposed to be recent exam questions, and the answer book, and do as many problem as possible. You can fill your weekends and evenings between now and April.

My PE exam was more than 30 years ago when they allowed you to bring in a suitcase full of references, and you picked four problems in the morning and four in the afternoon from maybe a hundred in the exam book. Maybe they do multiple choice now so it is easier to score.

I found that there were a lot of problems where there were several ways to get a "right" answer in an engineering sense, that might not exactly match the answer in the book. I don't know how picky they are in getting the precise answer, and don't even know if they use the same format.
Click to expand...

Thanks appreciate that! Studying harder this time....I messed up on a few things, but I'm gonna get it. Then I'll go from EIT to PE. I passed the law exam and EIT, just the PE now it's all that's left!! :eek:)

Thanks to everyone for their info. I just needed to 350s at 480V, and I found them. I would changed the who switchboard or but it's not in the budget. :(
 
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