If this were your home--replace FP box?

[Carrie Kirscht]

I am not an inspector, just a concerned homeowner...

Last night I was watching a home show where an inspector cautioned a buyer about an FP box (going as far to say that it would be difficult to get insurance). Sitting here today, I realize that I also have an FP stab-lock box.

I've done a great deal of reading this morning, and realize that there are many unofficial warnings. I am leaning toward replacement, though I have never had any sign of a problem. I believe that this a 125 amp box, installed in 1981.

Looking for your professional opinion and experience--would you replace this if it were in your home?

Thank you!

[Marc D. Shunk]

I can tell you from first hand experience that FPE breakers often fail to trip when they should. I am an electrician, and my professional advice is to have the panel replaced. After all, overcurrent protection is one of the main reasons for breakers, and the FPE often does not live up to that requirement. The fact that you have no sign of a problem is meaningless. You have no way to know if your breakers should have tripped in the past and didn't.

[cgoyette]

FP boxes have concerns. However if there is no indications of issues leave it alone.


However if it where my house. I would call a local licensed electrician who has a good reputation and ask for a quote to replace it. If the quote was within my budget, it would be on his schedule to replace that day.

hope this helps,

Curt

[Barry Adair]

Originally Posted by cgoyette

FP boxes have concerns. However if there is no indications of issues leave it alone.


However if it where my house. I would call a local licensed electrician who has a good reputation and ask for a quote to replace it. If the quote was within my budget, it would be on his schedule to replace that day.

hope this helps,

Curt

Curt,
Are you running for office or going bipolar, on us?

Carrie,

Follow Marc's advice he is a well respected source of A+ information and I advise my clients of the need to have evaluated whenever I encounter FPE.

Here is an example of a different type panel that had gone undetected until I showed up for an inspection.

Note the fused marks on the bus bar, never seen under the breakers and the current owners never disclosed any problems. Why would they they were also unaware.
Not if, but when was this going to become property or life loss, issue?

[cgoyette]

Originally Posted by badair

Curt,
Are you running for office or going bipolar, on us?

Why did I sound like Hillary?

Its one of those rare instances where both answers work. You have issues easy to say replace. I am no fan of FP but if there are no issues its hard as a HI to say replace....easy as a HOME OWNER to say replace.....hence my answer.
Curt


AKA soon to be running for office.....Not

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Carrie Kirscht

I am not an inspector, just a concerned homeowner...

Last night I was watching a home show where an inspector cautioned a buyer about an FP box (going as far to say that it would be difficult to get insurance). Sitting here today, I realize that I also have an FP stab-lock box.

I've done a great deal of reading this morning, and realize that there are many unofficial warnings. I am leaning toward replacement, though I have never had any sign of a problem. I believe that this a 125 amp box, installed in 1981.

Looking for your professional opinion and experience--would you replace this if it were in your home?

Thank you!

What country are you in .
The Canadian FP I do believe are different then USA.
They are no concern here and are still manufactured and I have one in my home .
I am not changing it .
...Cookie

[Michael R. Boyett]

I'm of the school of thought that says HI's are not qualified to determine the need for replacement hence my standard report wording is:

The home is equipped with a Federal Pacific brand electrical panel which have been shown to be problematic. Independent laboratory testing indicates some models of these panels are prone to problems that can lead to failures of the panel, fire hazards, lack of proper protection of circuits and other serious issues. I recommend a careful, detailed analysis of these panels by a licensed electrician to determine if any corrective action is needed.

[Carrie Kirscht]

Originally Posted by rcooke

What country are you in .
The Canadian FP I do believe are different then USA.
They are no concern here and are still manufactured and I have one in my home .
I am not changing it .
...Cookie

I'm in the US. I do believe they are different and that I have the problematic variety....

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by Carrie Kirscht

I'm in the US. I do believe they are different and that I have the problematic variety....

Well, there you go, you answered your own question.

If it was my home it would be replaced, too.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by Carrie Kirscht

I am leaning toward replacement, though I have never had any sign of a problem.

I love when I hear things like this. "I've been here for 20 years and it's never had a problem."

If there were documented issues regarding the airbags in your car, would you say the same thing? After all, they've been there for X# years and there has never been a problem. . .

That's most likely because you've never had to rely on them [airbags or breakers].

The panel and it's components are a safety system, much like the airbags in your car. When there is a problem, you want your safety systems to work flawlessly. Otherwise, the results could be catastrophic.

[Speedy Petey]

Carrie,
Like Marc I am a licensed and insured electrical contractor.
When I bought my home in 1993 it had an FPE panel that was in fine shape physically.
I replaced it within one week of moving in.

Does that tell you anything?

[David P. Valley]

http://www.masscertifiedhomeinspections.com/?D=96

[cgoyette]

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

Carrie,
Like Marc I am a licensed and insured electrical contractor.
When I bought my home in 1993 it had an FPE panel that was in fine shape physically.
I replaced it within one week of moving in.

Does that tell you anything?

yea says you got a great QOUTE.....LOL

[Speedy Petey]

Originally Posted by cgoyette

yea says you got a great QOUTE.....LOL

[Karl E. Gerhauser]

Carrie, I also always reccommend immediate evaluation by a licensed electrician. As an HI we can't really say something must be replaced. If it was my home it would be replaced ASAP. you may want to cruise around on this site. http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm