Breakers compatible with Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Load Center

cmyers · 2008-04-16T20:30:05+00:00

Hi all. I want to replace my existing Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Load Center breaker box because the reports that I've heard about it scare me, and I want to rewire my whole house because the old wiring scares me. I have a replacement plan in mind, and before I bring in someone that knows more than I do, I'd like to get as much lined up as possible. I plan to install a 100amp breaker into my existing FPE (200 amp service) box to service a new breaker box (also 200 amp service), then rewire the house to the new box, and because of other reasons we will be moving the incoming service to the new box. Note: I say "we" but in this case "we" means electricians and the electric company as far as they need to be involved. Anyway, if anyone is familiar with the FPE Stab-Lok load center, I'd appreciate some advice about the 100amp breaker. I've found the NA2100 (Type NA, 2 poles, 100 amp) breakers, but I'm not sure if this is the one I need for this breaker box or not. My existing breakers are type NC. Apparently the type NB breakers bolt in ("B" is for "Bolt" obviously). I have found several of the 30amp or less breakers as type NC, but anything over that seem to be type NA. I just want to know if the NA2100 will work in my box...or if you need more information to make that determination. Thanks, Charlie

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trader4 12 years ago

Where is your data to show that this is a real safety issue in the real world? The folks that deal with safety and have the statistics of the real safety hazards, ie NEC, UL are aware of the fact that you can have 15 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit. The NEC specifically allows it. As Bud suggested, if you disagree, take it up with them. I suggest you have your data available that shows this is in fact a real safety issue.

There a hundreds of millions of 15 amp receptacles out there and there are plenty of 10 amp, 18 gauge ext cords available. Some of those circuits have 15 amp breakers, some 20 amp. Should be easy to show us the devesatation being caused. Statistics please. And also the statistics are going to show a clear difference between the fires, etc caused by those on a 20 vs 15, right?

Nonsense. As has been told to you a dozen times now, you can buy a 10 amp extension cord and plug it into a 15 amp receptacle on a 15 or 20 amp circuit. To say that the ampacity of the conductors has nothing to do with it is ridiculous. There are lights in my house that have 18 gauge cords, UL listed, no fuses in the lights for additional protection. The ampacity of the cords is basically the core of your safety issue. An 18 gauge, 10 amp extension cord is not rated to support 15 amps or 20 amps. You could have a partial short in one of those lights so that it draws 15 amps, exceeding the rating of the cord conductors.

Who is the "you" that is ignoring exactly what? At least tens of millions of homes have been built with 15 amp receptacles on 20 amp breakers, as allowed by the NEC. They have been inspected. More of those will be installed, inspected and pass electrical inspection this week.

As Bud said, take it up with the NEC folks and UL. They are the experts that matter and apparently they don't agree with you or this would not be permitted under the code. I'm sure they will give it the attention it deserves.

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The Daring Dufas 12 years ago

Many people don't understand that circuit breakers in North American electrical systems have both a thermal trip and a magnetic trip. The thermal part works like a slow blow fuse so motor starting loads don't immediately kick the breaker but there is also a magnetic trip for when there is a short circuit. That's why the table lamp with the 18awm cord will trip a breaker if the light switch under the bulb shorts out but you can also slowly add loads to a circuit until the breaker will trip after a predetermined amount of time. If a breaker panel is hot due to circuits carrying heavy loads, other breakers will trip from the heat before normal overload current is reached. Of course there are all sorts of different ratings for breakers like HACR for breakers used for HVAC loads but your standard breaker won't trip immediately when a microwave oven or window AC starts up but short the cord and it will trip immediately. ^_^

TDD

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Malcom "Mal" Reynolds 12 years ago

krwless goes to the hospital with her mother to visit her Grandpa. When they get to the hospital, she runs ahead of her mother and bursts into her Grandpa's room. "Grandpa, Grandpa," she says excitedly, "as soon as my mom comes into the room, make a noise like a frog!" "What?" said her Grandpa. "Make a noise like a frog because mom said as soon as you croak, we're all going to Disney World!"

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krw 12 years ago

The idiot liar takes a month to come up with some lame lie that no one will ever read. Malformed is such a dumbass. But that goes without saying because he is a lefty snot-nosed kid living under mommy's skirts.

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Malcom "Mal" Reynolds 12 years ago

I do accept your excellence in your ability to lie daily

Malformed is such a dumbass. But that goes without

thank you for admitting that you are a no one

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krw 12 years ago

It really is amazing that you so pathological that you are compelled to make such obvious lies.

I've never claimed to be anyone special, Malformed. I leave that up to you idiot lefties. *YOU* are the ones who think they know what's good for everyone else. *YOU* are "special" (as in education).

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