Federal pacific breaker old box? - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

kingranch · 05-26-2022, 06:52 PM

Have a old 150 amp panel and looking to add a 30amp double for a stackable
Anyone know what newer style breakers will fit in this
I found these style breaker only used on ebay..

kingranch · 05-26-2022, 06:54 PM

https://www.amazon.com/American-Fede.../dp/B000WUN12C

Will this one pop into the old box?

150$ is alot but rather get a new one

buckerup · 05-26-2022, 07:04 PM

I have 1, possibly 2 complete panels with all the breakers. Let me look tomorrow and see exactly what I have and then I’ll get back to you.

waterdog · 05-26-2022, 07:05 PM

go look on ebay they have FPE Federal Pacific NA230 Stab Lok 30 Amp 2 Pole Circuit Breaker for $24. 99

kingranch · 05-26-2022, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckerup

I have 1, possibly 2 complete panels with all the breakers. Let me look tomorrow and see exactly what I have and then I’ll get back to you.

Lmk

Capt.Brown · 05-26-2022, 07:18 PM

Those are very dangerous breakers I’ve been told by numerous electricians. They sometimes don’t trip and cause fires from what I understand.

waterdog · 05-26-2022, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt.Brown

Those are very dangerous breakers I’ve been told by numerous electricians. They sometimes don’t trip and cause fires from what I understand.

^^^^^ this is very true.

kingranch · 05-26-2022, 07:41 PM

From what I read the breakers themselves are the culprits
Don't they make newer ones to fit?? That are safer designed

60 Deluxe · 05-26-2022, 07:42 PM

Junk, according to the insurance companies. I had a rental with one in it. Pull out a double thirty and put in a double fifty. I'm sure that it is still in my parts box and I have no use for it. If you get in a pinch, pm me.

TeamAmerica · 05-26-2022, 08:05 PM

I have replaced two of these at the advice of professional electricians. Don't know about new breakers that may be compatible.

1longshot · 05-26-2022, 08:21 PM

Connecticut Electric breaker. These are the newer type breaker for old FPE panels, they're grey in color.

kingranch · 05-26-2022, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1longshot

Connecticut Electric breaker. These are the newer type breaker for old FPE panels, they're grey in color.

Thank you longshot!

Just what I was looking for

bowhntrmatt · 05-27-2022, 09:47 AM

Please replace that panel. They lost their UL listing like 30+ years ago.

Roman AB · 05-27-2022, 09:56 AM

You can buy them on amazon as well.

S-3 Ranch · 05-27-2022, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowhntrmatt

Please replace that panel. They lost their UL listing like 30+ years ago.

We have them in our house and it weighs heavy on my mind that
As a retired couple, wife and I can’t afford to replace them anytime soon

The electric contractor quote was outrageously expensive

Uncle Saggy · 05-27-2022, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt.Brown

Those are very dangerous breakers I’ve been told by numerous electricians. They sometimes don’t trip and cause fires from what I understand.

So very true
And don’t reset an FPE Starter unless your behind a blast shield

That panel needs an upgrade

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

chopsknives · 05-27-2022, 01:03 PM

When I was an electrician for Sanger Harris we would short a circuit out to find the breaker as they never labeled them. The store's that had FPE breakers we could actually leave a nice weld bead around the faceplate and rattle the conduit before they would trip!! If it were me I'd go to another brand rather than risk electrocution or a fire - Just my 2 cents

hpdrifter · 05-27-2022, 01:18 PM

I've been out of the business for quite a few years.
Last I heard FPE was a fire hazard just like aluminum wiring. However, my years of absence prevented me from commenting earlier.
If new breakers are available and are UL listed, why change the whole panel?

I'd certainly, replace all the breakers, even if I had to do it one at a time.

sticknstring · 05-27-2022, 04:00 PM

Federal pacific is bad news. You have a good reason to put in a new panel and add the needed breakers. Jeapardizing your home to fire hazard is just not worth it.

Redfeathers · 05-27-2022, 04:28 PM

^^This all the way!!

black42 · 05-27-2022, 07:12 PM

My son in law is a master electrician and he said its like having a welder on the side of your house.

db@100 · 05-28-2022, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hpdrifter

I've been out of the business for quite a few years.
Last I heard FPE was a fire hazard just like aluminum wiring. However, my years of absence prevented me from commenting earlier.
If new breakers are available and are UL listed, why change the whole panel?

I'd certainly, replace all the breakers, even if I had to do it one at a time.

THIS... Now with that said, replacing all the breakers would be expensive also.

Tony Pic · 05-28-2022, 01:16 PM

I agree with all that you should replace the federal pacific panel. We called them no blow Federals. Maybe the new breakers are built differently, but the original FP breakers are known not to trip. If you can change your panel, by all means. Do it.

Mountaineer · 05-28-2022, 03:34 PM

Replace the entire panel. It’s past it’s useful lifetime and the breakers are a known hazard.

https://inspectapedia.com/fpe/FPE_Stab_Lok_Hazards.php

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Big_gun · 05-28-2022, 11:06 PM

For the cost of new replacement breakers you can replace the panel with newer breakers. If your handy it’s not that hard.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Redfeathers · 05-28-2022, 11:28 PM

Some insurance companies will not insurance the building with that panel.

kingranch · 05-28-2022, 11:31 PM

I can get all new updated CE breakers for 250$

Can someone explain what part the panel itself plays in this hazard.. from what I can figure the breakers where the weak link-

Redfeathers · 05-29-2022, 12:24 AM

Do a quick google search and you will find plenty to read and testing data. One of the first searches that came up was insurance companies not insuring these panels. If I remember right, a lot of the panels were installed from the 50’s to 85, with some being just a tad later.

db@100 · 05-29-2022, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingranch

I can get all new updated CE breakers for 250$

Can someone explain what part the panel itself plays in this hazard.. from what I can figure the breakers where the weak link-

If the breakers you are buying are UL listed, then you should be safe. You may still have to argue with people because the panel is a "FPE" panel.

kingranch · 05-29-2022, 08:50 AM

https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-R...-For-Consumers

I'd replace everything however this current panel acts as a pass through for another unit in the complex. That would mean paying a contractor/electrician to enter another person's unit to disconnect their feed and run it out from my box. Very strange setup imo. I figured the safest and easiest way to correct all of this is new CE UL listed breakers that are stablok

05-26-2022, 06:52 PM	#1
kingranch Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: lakeway	Federal pacific breaker old box? Have a old 150 amp panel and looking to add a 30amp double for a stackable Anyone know what newer style breakers will fit in this I found these style breaker only used on ebay.. Attached Images

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05-26-2022, 06:54 PM	#2
kingranch Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: lakeway	https://www.amazon.com/American-Fede.../dp/B000WUN12C Will this one pop into the old box? 150$ is alot but rather get a new one

05-26-2022, 07:04 PM	#3
buckerup Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Cypress Tx Hunt In: Gouldbusk, Texas. Coleman County	I have 1, possibly 2 complete panels with all the breakers. Let me look tomorrow and see exactly what I have and then I’ll get back to you.

05-26-2022, 07:05 PM	#4
waterdog Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006	go look on ebay they have FPE Federal Pacific NA230 Stab Lok 30 Amp 2 Pole Circuit Breaker for $24. 99

05-26-2022, 07:18 PM	#6
Capt.Brown Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Burnet Hunt In: Texas	Those are very dangerous breakers I’ve been told by numerous electricians. They sometimes don’t trip and cause fires from what I understand.

05-26-2022, 07:41 PM	#8
kingranch Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: lakeway	From what I read the breakers themselves are the culprits Don't they make newer ones to fit?? That are safer designed

05-26-2022, 07:42 PM	#9
60 Deluxe Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Coke County Hunt In: at home	Junk, according to the insurance companies. I had a rental with one in it. Pull out a double thirty and put in a double fifty. I'm sure that it is still in my parts box and I have no use for it. If you get in a pinch, pm me.

05-26-2022, 08:05 PM	#10
TeamAmerica Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dallas Hunt In: Corsicana (Navarro County)	I have replaced two of these at the advice of professional electricians. Don't know about new breakers that may be compatible.

05-26-2022, 08:21 PM	#11
1longshot Eight Point Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Gonzales,Tx Hunt In: Gonzales and Lavaca Counties	Connecticut Electric breaker. These are the newer type breaker for old FPE panels, they're grey in color.

05-27-2022, 09:47 AM	#13
bowhntrmatt Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wimberley Hunt In: Comstock	Please replace that panel. They lost their UL listing like 30+ years ago.

05-27-2022, 09:56 AM	#14
Roman AB Eight Point Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Pasadena Hunt In: Polk County	You can buy them on amazon as well.

05-27-2022, 01:03 PM	#17
chopsknives Associate Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Lake Bob Sandlin, Northeast Texas	When I was an electrician for Sanger Harris we would short a circuit out to find the breaker as they never labeled them. The store's that had FPE breakers we could actually leave a nice weld bead around the faceplate and rattle the conduit before they would trip!! If it were me I'd go to another brand rather than risk electrocution or a fire - Just my 2 cents

05-27-2022, 01:18 PM	#18
hpdrifter Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: kerens Hunt In: anywhere I can	I've been out of the business for quite a few years. Last I heard FPE was a fire hazard just like aluminum wiring. However, my years of absence prevented me from commenting earlier. If new breakers are available and are UL listed, why change the whole panel? I'd certainly, replace all the breakers, even if I had to do it one at a time.

05-27-2022, 04:00 PM	#19
sticknstring Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Annetta Hunt In: searching atm	Federal pacific is bad news. You have a good reason to put in a new panel and add the needed breakers. Jeapardizing your home to fire hazard is just not worth it.

05-27-2022, 04:28 PM	#20
Redfeathers Six Point Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Tom Green County	^^This all the way!!

05-27-2022, 07:12 PM	#21
black42 Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Alpharetta,GA Hunt In: Where ever I can	My son in law is a master electrician and he said its like having a welder on the side of your house.

05-28-2022, 01:16 PM	#23
Tony Pic Pope & Young Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Texas and NYS Hunt In: The Picarosas North and South, Kerrville, Mountain Home and Harper	I agree with all that you should replace the federal pacific panel. We called them no blow Federals. Maybe the new breakers are built differently, but the original FP breakers are known not to trip. If you can change your panel, by all means. Do it.

05-28-2022, 03:34 PM	#24
Mountaineer Eight Point Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: McKinney Hunt In: WV,SD, Hunt co	Replace the entire panel. It’s past it’s useful lifetime and the breakers are a known hazard. https://inspectapedia.com/fpe/FPE_Stab_Lok_Hazards.php Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05-28-2022, 11:06 PM	#25
Big_gun Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wallis Hunt In: Llano	For the cost of new replacement breakers you can replace the panel with newer breakers. If your handy it’s not that hard. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

05-28-2022, 11:28 PM	#26
Redfeathers Six Point Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Tom Green County	Some insurance companies will not insurance the building with that panel.

05-28-2022, 11:31 PM	#27
kingranch Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: lakeway	I can get all new updated CE breakers for 250$ Can someone explain what part the panel itself plays in this hazard.. from what I can figure the breakers where the weak link-

05-29-2022, 12:24 AM	#28
Redfeathers Six Point Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Tom Green County	Do a quick google search and you will find plenty to read and testing data. One of the first searches that came up was insurance companies not insuring these panels. If I remember right, a lot of the panels were installed from the 50’s to 85, with some being just a tad later.

05-29-2022, 08:50 AM	#30
kingranch Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: lakeway	https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-R...-For-Consumers I'd replace everything however this current panel acts as a pass through for another unit in the complex. That would mean paying a contractor/electrician to enter another person's unit to disconnect their feed and run it out from my box. Very strange setup imo. I figured the safest and easiest way to correct all of this is new CE UL listed breakers that are stablok