Changing the Electric Panels for Real Circuit Breakers
I had an elctrician (not licensed) take a look at my circuit breaker panels. He told me that the company that made them (Federal Pacific) is no longer in business since the circuit breakers DON’T ever ‘break’ (i.e., turn off automatically). Obviously a concern. He can change them, and there is no need to change…
I had an elctrician (not licensed) take a look at my circuit breaker panels. He told me that the company that made them (Federal Pacific) is no longer in business since the circuit breakers DON’T ever ‘break’ (i.e., turn off automatically). Obviously a concern. He can change them, and there is no need to change the 3 meters. He’s quoted me $2300 for that job itself. He also pointed out that he can’t find the circuit breakers that this company used (needed for additional ac lines we want to have installed.
QUESTION 1: Do I need a licensed electrician to do the panel box changes? Pros/Cons?
Thank you
Get a licensed electrician. If you needed an outlet or a ceiling fan installed it might be a different story. But this guy will be working with live wires, and a screew-up could seriously injure him or even kill him if you’re not confident in your CPR (not likely but…). I’m an electrical engineer and still I hired electricians to do some box work (they added a few circuits). It wasn’t too expensive and it gave me peace of mind. There are usually two guys, so you don’t have to worry about what to do if something goes wrong, and in my case they worked as safely as I would have. (The reason there are usually two guys is because you have to work for 10 years for a licensed electrician before you get your license…)
BTW That quote is a little high anyway.
You defintiley need a licensed electrician and it’s true about Federal Pacific. They use to be one of the largest, best companies for electric parts, but then they got GREEDY! They cut corners making cheaper parts to the point that their breakers, often didn’t work! They became known as the “no blow” breaker…Their reputation was shot from then on and the company went under.
Another thing, remember that when you use a licensed electrician you are covered by your insurance policy for the building.
I know a great elctrician. Been doing these types of upgrades in brownstones for years. Will probably beat the quote you got. Lots of ref’s as well. I’d be happy to pass on his info. Feel free to contact me at: kencarabello@hotmail.com
I know a great electrician who can give you an even better price than that.
The info you got about Federal Pacific is indeed correct. I just bought a place with the same breakers and everyone from the engineer to the electrical contractors urged me to get rid of them ASAP. When you upgrade, you might also think about evaluating your amp situation- you should file that…
I will email you!
Hi
Yes you defintiley need a licensed electrician. We just had tons of electrical work done by a very good, licenced guy whose details i can provide if you like.
He charged us $2500 to replace the switches on all three of our panels, run new wiring for dedicated ciuircutis upstairs and dowstairs, strong enuf for air conditioners, installed new light switches and code light switch boxes for EVERY switch in the house. Installed code boxes inside the walls for every light fitting on the parlour floor, and had a guy come fix the holes he had to make in the walls. I have never had such a great experience with a worker — and we have had some BAD experiences in the past. His name is neville, he is very freindly old trinidadian guy, who worked for us til late every night then hung out in the back yard drinking wine (and a glass of rum on fridays). Ill send you his details by email if you want them. But please, dont use a non licensed electrician, its way too dangerous
Hi
Yes you defintiley need a licensed electrician. We just had tons of electrical work done by a very good, licenced guy whose details i can provide if you like.
He charged us $2500 to replace the switches on all three of our panels, run new wiring for dedicated ciuircutis upstairs and dowstairs, strong enuf for air conditioners, installed new light switches and code light switch boxes for EVERY switch in the house. Installed code boxes inside the walls for every light fitting on the parlour floor, and had a guy come fix the holes he had to make in the walls. I have never had such a great experience with a worker — and we have had some BAD experiences in the past. His name is neville, he is very freindly old trinidadian guy, who worked for us til late every night then hung out in the back yard drinking wine (and a glass of rum on fridays). Ill send you his details by email if you want them. But please, dont use a non licensed electrician, its way too dangerous