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"Federal Pacific" Breaker box kellyj00@gmail.com 11-07-2006
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Posted by on November 7, 2006, 5:13 pm


I didn't read the other messages as this message string was getting
long but when I was on the home hunt 6 months ago, my electrician
uncle-in-law and electrician father-in-law warned me not to buy a home
with a Federal Pacific breaker panel. I was told that the problem is
in the quality of wiring used in the panel box and the fact that it has
caused many electrical fires in homes. Pretty scary thought when you
think about it.

If you are going to make improvements anyway, I would look into
changing out your electrical panel and any potentially faulty wiring
leading to and leaving your electrical panel.


Posted by =?iso-8859-15?Q?Tekkie=AE?= on November 8, 2006, 8:49 pm


kellyj00@gmail.com posted for all of us...

> I have a 200-amp capable "Federal pacific" breaker box in my 44 year
> old home. I've been told by a home inspector that the box is
> unreliable and the breakers "can occasionally no-trip and could
> potentially cause a fire" This, obviously, scares me.
>
> The breakers aren't the cheapest or super-easy to find, but I haven't
> had to replace any in the year or so I've lived in this house, the unit
> seems reliable. Also, the breakers have tripped a few times as the
> circuits have around 8-10 receptacles on a few runs in some cases.
>
> I'm considering doing some remodeling, including the addition of can
> lights (about 20 of them) and a few receptacles...all on new runs as
> the breaker box isn't much more than half full.
>
> Should I consider replacing the service panel and breakers to a current
> model like a Square D as part of this remodel? After all, it doesn't
> make much sense remodel a house that's going to just burn to the ground
> anyway.
>
>
Asked and answered MANY times - do your own research.
--
Tekkie Don't bother to thank me, I do this as a public service.

Posted by kellyj00@gmail.com on November 10, 2006, 8:27 am


Thanks for all the help gents! I had an electrician come out
yesterday morning, for $60 an hour. He was done in less than three
and did an incredible job. (had to cut drywall and plywood sheathing in
my garage to make the new Square D box fit)

I went to Homedepot the night before and got hte box for $159 with 5 20
amp breakers and bought various other breakers to bring the total to
$220 and change... I was exstatic.

Between the $220 for materials (bought it myself, took 5 minutes...and
I got to chat with the fellas at the hardware store, always fun) and
$180 for labor the total came to around $400! They quoted that it
would cost $700, until I told them I'd buy my own materials.

I was worried after seeing your postings, and am so glad now I have a
modern unit with plenty of expansion room... and it didn't even ding my
remodel budget.


Posted by John Grabowski on November 11, 2006, 7:28 am



> Thanks for all the help gents! I had an electrician come out
> yesterday morning, for $60 an hour. He was done in less than three
> and did an incredible job. (had to cut drywall and plywood sheathing in
> my garage to make the new Square D box fit)
>
> I went to Homedepot the night before and got hte box for $159 with 5 20
> amp breakers and bought various other breakers to bring the total to
> $220 and change... I was exstatic.
>
> Between the $220 for materials (bought it myself, took 5 minutes...and
> I got to chat with the fellas at the hardware store, always fun) and
> $180 for labor the total came to around $400! They quoted that it
> would cost $700, until I told them I'd buy my own materials.
>
> I was worried after seeing your postings, and am so glad now I have a
> modern unit with plenty of expansion room... and it didn't even ding my
> remodel budget.
>

I'm curious as to whether the electrician installed two ground rods and
bonded your interior metal piping as part of your upgrade? Did he get a
permit for the work and have it inspected?


Posted by Tom The Great on November 11, 2006, 9:46 am


On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 07:28:32 -0500, "John Grabowski"

>
>> Thanks for all the help gents! I had an electrician come out
>> yesterday morning, for $60 an hour. He was done in less than three
>> and did an incredible job. (had to cut drywall and plywood sheathing in
>> my garage to make the new Square D box fit)
>>
>> I went to Homedepot the night before and got hte box for $159 with 5 20
>> amp breakers and bought various other breakers to bring the total to
>> $220 and change... I was exstatic.
>>
>> Between the $220 for materials (bought it myself, took 5 minutes...and
>> I got to chat with the fellas at the hardware store, always fun) and
>> $180 for labor the total came to around $400! They quoted that it
>> would cost $700, until I told them I'd buy my own materials.
>>
>> I was worried after seeing your postings, and am so glad now I have a
>> modern unit with plenty of expansion room... and it didn't even ding my
>> remodel budget.
>>
>
>I'm curious as to whether the electrician installed two ground rods and
>bonded your interior metal piping as part of your upgrade? Did he get a
>permit for the work and have it inspected?

imho:


I was wondering too.... was the system as a whole upgraded, especially
with the sensitivity to voltage variants of today's electronics? Plus,
were they they propertly managed, insurance, permits, and inspections?

You might get what you pay for, but more than often I've seen people
get less. :(

later,

tom @ www.Consolidated-Loans.info


Page 6 of 8       < 1 2 3 > last >>
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