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Federal pacific and Connecticut Electric circuit breakers interchangeable?

section8joe

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 9, 2011
Messages
53
I'm trying to find a 20 amp 2 pole Federal Pacific circuit breaker. Whenever I do a search for Federal pacific, I keep getting Connecticut Electric circuit breakers. Are they interchangeable?
 
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newlywv

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 13, 2010
Messages
162
Location
West Virginia
I have several federal pacific breakers that I dont need. Are they stab loc? If so let me know.
Thanks,
Rich
 

John Timmins

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 1, 2008
Messages
861
Location
Flagler Beach, FL
My 1973 built condo in Fla. has Federal Pacific boxes. Some years ago I thought about getting a 15A GFCI circuit breaker and Home Depot had them for $144 each !

You might not be aware that if there is a fire in your house and it's traced back to the Fed. Pacific box being the cause, your homeowners insurance company might not pay any claim for your loss.

Orlando TV just did a report about a woman who's house burned down and she got no $$$ from her insurance co.

It seems that many years ago one of those governmental agencies was investigating the entire Fed. Pac. issure and came up short of condemning everything that company made. The meetings were "suspended" (?) because the annual budget was exhausted and not continued the following year.

Before you spend any money on those breakers call your insurance company. You might need to call an electricial to completely change out your panel. Electriciaians do that around here for about $1000, probably less if they know you're taking bids. (Florida is a low pay state)
 
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section8joe

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 9, 2011
Messages
53
Hey guys thanks for the help. I got a little scared using the Federal Pacific so I swapped in a siemans box.
 

JasonTX

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2011
Messages
90
Location
Murphy, TX
Awdblazer: Federal Pacific has problems with both the breakers and the panels. Breakers that don't break, and bus bars with poor connections. Complete nightmare.
 

diggerrick

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2010
Messages
996
The F-P breaker "issue" was due to an OEM supplier.

I have purchased F-P replacements withiin the last 10 years that were manufactured by a different source using different materials and processes, and they do work. They are also expensive, but not as bad as the Pushmatic my dad bought a few years ago.

As far as insurance, I asked our State Farm agent, and he had no idea of an issue with F-P. I also asked an electrical engineer at work about the F-P issue. He laughed and said "I hope not - that's what I've had in my house for 30 years!"
 

kb2tha

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
495
Location
Delaware County, NYS
I also understand that Federal Pacific lost their Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) rating years ago.

Had a Federal panel box and breakers in my house and replaced it with Square D QO system. The FP box was getting hot to the point where it was tough to hold my hand to the surface for any length of time. Just sayin'.
 
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