whizkid3
Premium,MVM
join:2002-02-21
Queens, NY
 ·Earthlink Cable Mo..
| reply to ilikeme
Re: Is this breaker panel safe?
Many Federal Pacific 'Stab-Lok" breaker panels and breakers work fine. However, there has been a much, much higher than normal incidence of these breakers failing to trip overloads, resulting in house fires. For that reason they are considered a fire hazard. I recommend replacement of the panel.
I doubt you'll have a load issue. You don't have any unusual high electric load requirements (i.e. electric heat, hot tub, multiple electric ovens, etc.) On the other hand, if you do replace the panel (and it is recommended), you can consider at that time to increase the size of the service from 125A to perhaps 200A. The cost differential will probably be $200 - $300. |
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K Patterson
Premium,MVM
join:2006-03-12
Columbus, OH | The cost may be a little more than that. The service entry conductors and the meter will need to be changed. In most jurisdictions that means a permit and an inspection by the city or county. |
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KirkyInCT
join:2008-11-04
Higganum, CT
1 edit | said by K Patterson  :The cost may be a little more than that. The service entry conductors and the meter will need to be changed. In most jurisdictions that means a permit and an inspection by the city or county. In any jurisdiction I've been in ALL electrical work requires a permit and inspection. This goes for something as simple as adding a circuit to a service upgrade and everything in between. In my towns, the only difference is the cost of the permit, which is often based on the total cost of the job and is usually goes up on increments of every $1000 of dollars in the total cost.
In this case, I would get it all done at once, save everyone some time, as whizkid pointed out, it's only a couple hundred more in terms of parts and maybe an hour or two in labor. BUT, 125amps is probably enough.
But you do point out, most people probably wouldn't even pull a permit for something like this. I'm sure it will be part of the estimate(s), but I'm not so sure it would actually get done. |
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whizkid3
Premium,MVM
join:2002-02-21
Queens, NY
·Earthlink Cable Mo..
3 edits | reply to K Patterson
said by K Patterson :The cost may be a little more than that. The service entry conductors and the meter will need to be changed. In most jurisdictions that means a permit and an inspection by the city or county. That was the 'cost differential'. The meter may or may not have to be changed (same goes for the meter pan which is something you pay for). The permit & inspection fee does not enter into the cost differential, as you most likely need one in almost all jurisdictions, regardless of whether is it just a panelboard swap, or a service upgrade. (Including Houston, Texas.)
The cost differential I quoted is simply a fair range. Yes it could be more. It could be zero. It could be $1000 more. Depends on the contractor's pricing. |
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K Patterson
Premium,MVM
join:2006-03-12
Columbus, OH | My logic was that you could get away with a panel board change out, but not with an increase in the service amps.
One ought to pull a permit and get an inspection for either. |
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whizkid3
Premium,MVM
join:2002-02-21
Queens, NY
·Earthlink Cable Mo..
| said by K Patterson :My logic was that you could get away with a panel board change out, but not with an increase in the service amps. One ought to pull a permit and get an inspection for either. Good point ("ought to pull a permit"). We should be discussing the proper way to do things, not what people can 'get away with'. |
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