Looking for bolt in breakers..

[crabjoe]

A friend of mine ran into an old panel and can't seem to find breakers for it... It's thinking because the plate says NoArk that it's the same as FPE, but isn't sure... Anyone know where to get some 20 amp breakers for it? Is Federal Electric the same as FPE?

Thanks!

 

[Mr_fixit]

here's some info, but I didn't bother to read it...http://inspectapedia.com/fpe/Federal_Electric_Panel_Identification.php

 

[klassenl]

Where did you find a panel like this. Tough to say from the pictures if it falls in the FPE family. It probably does but being 3 phase and all I would guess it's quite rare.

 

[gixxer1000]

Have him remove one of those breakers, there might be some markings/company name/ or type on the side of the breakers molded into the plastic

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Pull it out and replace it with a newer single phase panel you can get parts for,Just kill 1 leg on the feed side of it.

 

[Cmreschke]

Or get the proper 3 phase panel, why kill a good thing when you don't need to?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Or get the proper 3 phase panel, why kill a good thing when you don't need to?

What ever makes you happy I guess.

 

[Norcal]

Doubtful if those breakers can be found, and if so will be used so it's better to ditch the panel now and then have something that breakers will be easy to source, BTW those are not the Federal Pacific Stab-Lok breakers that are infamous as being troublesome.

 

[rlitman]

Doubtful if those breakers can be found, and if so will be used so it's better to ditch the panel now and then have something that breakers will be easy to source, BTW those are not the Federal Pacific Stab-Lok breakers that are infamous as being troublesome.

I agree that it is doubtful that those breakers can be found too.

While you are technically correct that they are not the infamous Stab-Lok breakers, I am not so sure that distinction is all that important. These breakers appear to be the bolt-down version of Stab-lok breakers.

ONE of the known failure modes of Stab-Lok breakers was overheating damage due to poor electrical interconnections. These bolt down versions should in theory be better in that way (though I have seen way too many bolted connections fail).

However, I suspect that the internal mechanism IS the same as the Stab-Lok breaker. As such, it is likely that the two-pole breaker will suffer from the same jamming issue that prevents tripping of Stab-Lok breakers, so I would not trust it.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Is that a spin-off of FPE?

Pull it out and replace it with a newer single phase panel you can get parts for,Just kill 1 leg on the feed side of it.

Unless he wants 3-phase capability.

 

[rlitman]

Is that a spin-off of FPE?

Predecessor. FPE is the spin-off.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If they junk the panel, they can get a chunk of change for the copper.

 

[Norcal]

Those breakers are not even close to a Stab-Lok, a ITE BQ, would probably directly replace them but are not listed or classified to be used there.

 

[rlitman]

If they junk the panel, they can get a chunk of change for the copper.

Yeah, like $5, IF they take the time to separate the copper from everything else.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yeah, like $5, IF they take the time to separate the copper from everything else.

The busbars are heavier than you think.

And copper goes for about two bucks a pound out here.

 

[Cmreschke]

I'd seperate and save the buss for better times too, but still only about 2 to 3 lbs of buss in there.

 

[Speedy Petey]

Those breakers are not even close to a Stab-Lok, a ITE BQ, would probably directly replace them but are not listed or classified to be used there.

Agreed. They ARE replaceable. Suggesting to replace the whole panel is pretty absurd since it is in fine condition, as long as you have a cover.

Could possibly be Quicklag C as well. It will say on the side of the breaker.
Those panels are very common in many of the older schools in my area.

 

[nadogail]

I would contact Electrical Supplies Unlimited or Cashway Electric, both of San Diego, CA.

They have often been able to come up the obsolete part to save the day when you are in a pinch.

 

[Premium08]

Call around to all your local electrical contractors, surely they have an huge assortment of breakers. I know the one I worked for did, the whole upstairs was dedicated to miscellaneous stuff

 

[crabjoe]

The panel is located at a business in an old strip shopping center in Baltimore. My buddy got a call to go and was like ... Never seen this before.. Is it FPE? He checked with some of his relatives that are all electricians and none of them had heard of this brand and were all wondering if it might be some off shoot of FPE.

He tried to get the owner to just replace the panel, but if at all possible, they want to keep what they have... I was able to find a source for the breakers, so if he can't talk them into a new panel, he's going to do what they ask...

Thanks all!

 

[Speedy Petey]

... Never seen this before.. Is it FPE? He checked with some of his relatives that are all electricians and none of them had heard of this brand and were all wondering if it might be some off shoot of FPE.

Any real electrician who's been in it for a few years would know those are NOTHING like an FPE Stab-Loc. They are physically not alike in any way, same goes for the panel.

If the whole bunch have never heard of that type of breaker then they must not do much commercial/industrial work, at least in anything older than 1960.