Federal Pacific main panel and circuit breakers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LS short box · Yesterday, 08:57 PM

This kind of a FYI post.
Couple weeks ago we had a whole house generator installed and and new main electrical panel in our house.
The reason for the new main electrical panel was the original owner who built the house in 77-78 used Federal Pacific main panel and breakers.
We had three bids on the generator and all three electricians told us even if we don't do the generator the Federal Pacific stuff had to go. Serious issues with the breakers not tripping and catching the wires on fire. Google it its pretty scary.
So today we had a state inspector in to inspect the electrical work. He also confirmed the Federal Pacific stuff is a fire waiting to happen.
Again just FYI.

**MJN** · Today, 10:12 AM

My first house had a FP panel and breakers. I got the same feedback when I bought the house and it got replaced in short order. Surprisingly the local hardware store still had breakers on the shelf for those panels.

bnorth · Today, 01:37 PM

We looked at a place to buy last summer built in the late 60's that had the FP setup and it was strongly recommended that it was replaced. Apparently failure rate on the breakers is in the 30% range where they don't trip.

**GOPAPA** · Today, 02:49 PM

I am surprised that they did not have a ground wire to the ground, even the old screw in fuse boxes I replaced had that.

Dead Parrot · Today, 04:01 PM

Pretty much the same info was discussed on a welding forum I often read. My childhood home built in the late 60's had FP breakers. But we dodged the aluminum wire fiasco. All the wires were copper. No longer my problem, that house was sold in the late 80's.

But a good idea to replace if you have FP breakers.

**richard2717** · Today, 05:31 PM

I have been slowly changing out several aluminum wire circuits in my house. It was a mixture of aluminum and copper wire from the start and everything was backstabbed in the devices. I changed out all the devices when I first moved in to get rid of the backstab originals. Still have 2 rooms left with aluminum wire. Very seldom do they get used so no load on any of it. The FP panel was changed on day one with a Square D QO panel. The FP panel was actually in really good shape visually but I had already had a few stories of fires with them. The house was built in 74 I think.

LS short box · Today, 08:30 PM

No alum wires in our house so just the main panel change out.

Yesterday, 08:57 PM	#1
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 1,938	Federal Pacific main panel and circuit breakers This kind of a FYI post. Couple weeks ago we had a whole house generator installed and and new main electrical panel in our house. The reason for the new main electrical panel was the original owner who built the house in 77-78 used Federal Pacific main panel and breakers. We had three bids on the generator and all three electricians told us even if we don't do the generator the Federal Pacific stuff had to go. Serious issues with the breakers not tripping and catching the wires on fire. Google it its pretty scary. So today we had a state inspector in to inspect the electrical work. He also confirmed the Federal Pacific stuff is a fire waiting to happen. Again just FYI.

Today, 10:12 AM	#2
MJN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Maquoketa, Ia/ Orr, Mn Posts: 2,969	Re: Federal Pacific main panel and circuit breakers My first house had a FP panel and breakers. I got the same feedback when I bought the house and it got replaced in short order. Surprisingly the local hardware store still had breakers on the shelf for those panels. __________________ '51 South Bend Model "9A" '56 Chevy 3600 NAPCO '74 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20-restored on 37's '72 GMC Sierra Custom K2500- in progress '08 GMC Envoy Denali '12 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali '17 GMC Yukon XL VCCA member #58596 http://www.nohrco.com

Today, 01:37 PM	#3
bnorth Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Salmon Arm BC Posts: 144	Re: Federal Pacific main panel and circuit breakers We looked at a place to buy last summer built in the late 60's that had the FP setup and it was strongly recommended that it was replaced. Apparently failure rate on the breakers is in the 30% range where they don't trip. __________________ 1970 C10 l/b 292/4spd Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=811062

Today, 02:49 PM	#4
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,379	Re: Federal Pacific main panel and circuit breakers I am surprised that they did not have a ground wire to the ground, even the old screw in fuse boxes I replaced had that. __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

Today, 04:01 PM	#5
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,494	Re: Federal Pacific main panel and circuit breakers Pretty much the same info was discussed on a welding forum I often read. My childhood home built in the late 60's had FP breakers. But we dodged the aluminum wire fiasco. All the wires were copper. No longer my problem, that house was sold in the late 80's. But a good idea to replace if you have FP breakers.

Today, 05:31 PM	#6
richard2717 Equal opportunity joke ofender Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Eastern Shore of MD Posts: 9,899	Re: Federal Pacific main panel and circuit breakers I have been slowly changing out several aluminum wire circuits in my house. It was a mixture of aluminum and copper wire from the start and everything was backstabbed in the devices. I changed out all the devices when I first moved in to get rid of the backstab originals. Still have 2 rooms left with aluminum wire. Very seldom do they get used so no load on any of it. The FP panel was changed on day one with a Square D QO panel. The FP panel was actually in really good shape visually but I had already had a few stories of fires with them. The house was built in 74 I think. __________________ Members I have met. Dually Jams, OlBlue60, ScottH, Tommyboy24, Dujobo, Warbucket, 2003 Silverado, Notsolo, my90k5, 6t727t2, Special-K ,Jack_71C10, tabarcus,72blazer_mud_bogger,pwdcougar,RSavage,EricSean,1Rippen6,invicta455,tennaragtop71,arks, Kendal,Bennett68C10, Perpendicular, Chainsawman, McGeesCustomMinis,ShortbedClayton,longblue72,6768chevylover,Tim71,Travisarmenta,Ol' Drippy,fleetmitch,georgieb51,Dave,bcnya2,Dadsburb https://paypal.me/6772GMtruckparts Most women like the strong, silent type… Fortunately for me, my wife prefers the out-of-shape, mouthy type.

Today, 08:30 PM	#7
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 1,938	Re: Federal Pacific main panel and circuit breakers No alum wires in our house so just the main panel change out.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.