Used breakers from Panel upgrades

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Mule said:
Im a bit protective of my privacy only because this in on the net, but we are closer to Ponca than the other two, have a couple of aquaintences in Ponca, and know some have worked at the refinery there...........:D

my helper son in law is also a full time fire fighter.....:D
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you just dont want a bunch of out of work electricians showing up on your doorstep looking for a free meal and a bed for the night...
 
Square D, CH, and anything of quality that appears to be in good shape I keep, as well as any rare finds or MB's that could be a job saver in the future.

Not that I agree with the practice but I have to admit that a former employer of mine would install used breakers on almost every job that wasn't new construction and I don't recall ever having a callback from it in the 5 years I worked there, and we are talkin even used Federal Pacific breakers here......not saying it is ok to do, just stating my experience. (Quite a few retirement communities in my area are full of FP panels......)
 
I have a shelf of hard to find breakers that we use for emergency repairs only,we also use them for giveaways to walk in customers needing a breaker this builds alot of good will.One of the jobs my kids do is stripping out old panels they remove everything from breakers to busbars these parts can be a lifesaver on a late nite service call.
 
Always new circuit breakers.

I recently looked at a new panel upgrade and told the client the breakers were all used. He said it was done by a large local outfit and he definitely felt cheated.

It was very obvious the breakers were used. QO has gone through several very visible changes to their breakers from all black to a painted logo to the number painted on the switch tip. Some of the breakers were all black and none of them were new. I replaced them all with new breakers.

I'm reasonably sure this client will call me for the next job.
 
Most all new panel installs I do are CH. On updates I will use a new panel of any kind as long as the existing breakers look good. Owners are given the choice of all new or using some of the old. Most take the option and I do not feel they are being cheated in way. AFCIs are just starting to be enforced now.
 
I have lots of warehouse space so I save anything "collectable" that looks good including the Zinscos, FRE's, 2pole70 plus, all mains, bolt ons and all 3 phase breakers.

Unless they are brand spanking new, I don't bother with standard QP, MP,CH or HO's because they are less than 4 bucks a pole new. I only go to the archives occaisionally. I did use a twin 15 Zinsco the other day.

I still have a few deltas breakers that pick up A and B phases from the bus and the high leg is fed thru. They were popular here in the early late 50's for 3 phase AC's.
 
Rewire said:
you just dont want a bunch of out of work electricians showing up on your doorstep looking for a free meal and a bed for the night...
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I really think this economy will turn around, sooner than later. As we hit bottom, and folks realize its not the end of the world, and they lighten up a bit. Even at 10% unemployment, 90% still will be working circulating money, then folks will chill out and spend......

As for the meal, you missed it !! should'a been here...... meatloaf, tators and gravy, Yum Yum then banana pudn with wafers in it, I can't hardly breathe.......:grin:
 
we have boxes and boxes of new and used breakers. someday we will sell them on ebay or the antique road show for beer money (hopefully)
 
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