I'm reading it a little different than you. I also have had a garage go up in flames from an FPE breaker, I guess my personal experience might make me a little bias.
Scott:
I hear you. I've had three (3) clients' houses catch fire due to these panels though I strongly urged them that they should replace them in my reports. The agents and electricians referred by the agents are quick to make light of the issues in order to facilitate the closing and commission receipt.
I cannot count the number of times that they have sparked, arced and spat electricity in my face as the cheap-**** breakers fall from the bus bar upon removal of the panel cover. No panel has even come close to housing the number of smoldering or red-hot breakers that I've found in FPE arc-welders-in-a-box.
Many inspectors in my area refuse to remove the panel covers from these monsters. Sure, some of them sit there for years with no problems. A lack of problems with any isolated system is not evidence that the system itself is not inherently defective.
Aaron
