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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Daniel Island, SC.
    Posts
    240

    Default Anyone familar with this type of breaker box

    Inspected a house yesterday built in the 50s that had a Federal 100 amp box with a large disconnect located over it and a subpanel next to the disconnect. Can someone help with this panel and set up. The panel was not labeled and I am not sure if it was undersized. The house was 3000 sq ft.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Anyone familar with this type of breaker box

    Quote Originally Posted by JIM MURPHY View Post
    Inspected a house yesterday built in the 50s that had a Federal 100 amp box with a large disconnect located over it and a subpanel next to the disconnect. Can someone help with this panel and set up. The panel was not labeled and I am not sure if it was undersized. The house was 3000 sq ft.
    The two words Stab-Loc are all you need to see. Those breakers have known problems. Do a Google search on Stab-Loc and you will find a wealth of information. Plenty has been written about them on this site alone.

    When I find a panel like that I do not even remove the cover, for a couple of reasons. 1. you can't get the dead front off without tripping the breakers. 2. The breakers have a tendency to pop off the buss bars. I tell my client that the panel should be replaced.

    Last edited by Scott Patterson; 02-05-2009 at 06:15 PM.
    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Daniel Island, SC.
    Posts
    240

    Default Re: Anyone familar with this type of breaker box

    Thanks Scott!

    I knew there was a problem with them but could not remember what it was. I will do some research.

    Jim Murphy


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Huntsville, Ontario
    Posts
    13

    Default Re: Anyone familar with this type of breaker box

    I agree with Scott. In addition those FPE breakers tend to hold even in an overload situation - not safe.
    Wow that is one big 100 amp. disconnect.
    Were you able to determine what the sub-panel was supplying?

    Steve Bowman
    Top To Bottom Home and Property Inspections

  5. #5
    Fred Warner's Avatar
    Fred Warner Guest

    Default Re: Anyone familar with this type of breaker box

    Quote Originally Posted by JIM MURPHY View Post
    Inspected a house yesterday built in the 50s that had a Federal 100 amp box with a large disconnect located over it and a subpanel next to the disconnect. Can someone help with this panel and set up. The panel was not labeled and I am not sure if it was undersized. The house was 3000 sq ft.
    Check this out for some interesting info.
    Federal Pacific Electric FPE Stab-Lok Class Action Settlement - THIS IS A LEGAL NOTICE AND IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT


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