Regarding the thread above about the C-H electric service panel, I'm now
convinced that the holddown screws on the main breakers are required and
should be there.

So this is for a new panel; what about older existing ones? F'rinstance,
my friend with his old Federal Pacific panel (ugh, yes, I know, but it's
working fine); his main breakers are backfed. Should they have holddown
screws? Do such panels even have threaded holes for such screws?


--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism

David Nebenzahl wrote:
....
... Federal Pacific panel ...
... Should they have holddown
screws? Do such panels even have threaded holes for such screws?

No and no...

--

"working fine" means that the breakers trip if there is an
overload. You sound like you don't know the FPE problem that
lead to thier replacement.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
.com...

So this is for a new panel; what about older existing ones?
F'rinstance,
my friend with his old Federal Pacific panel (ugh, yes, I
know, but it's
working fine); his main breakers are backfed.

David Nebenzahl wrote:
Regarding the thread above about the C-H electric service panel, I'm now
convinced that the holddown screws on the main breakers are required and
should be there.

So this is for a new panel; what about older existing ones? F'rinstance,
my friend with his old Federal Pacific panel (ugh, yes, I know, but it's
working fine); his main breakers are backfed. Should they have holddown
screws? Do such panels even have threaded holes for such screws?

The code requires an "additional fastener". It isn't necessarily a
screw. SquareD uses a block on the rail.

For the specific FPE panel it depends on when it was installed. The code
requirement was probably added in 1990. If the panel was installed under
the 1987 or earlier code it is compliant.

I don't know what FPE uses (or if it ever had anything). One of the weak
points of FPE is that the breakers come unplugged easily. I don't
remember how FPE installs main breakers - I don't remember they had the
unplugging problem.


"Working fine" - FPE panels work fine until you need a breaker to trip.
Then the breaker probably will (but maybe won't). The problem was
probably products manufactured 1965-1980. I expect you have seen plenty
of information on FPE.

--
bud--

On 7/23/2009 8:38 AM bud-- spake thus:

David Nebenzahl wrote:

Regarding the thread above about the C-H electric service panel, I'm now
convinced that the holddown screws on the main breakers are required and
should be there.

So this is for a new panel; what about older existing ones? F'rinstance,
my friend with his old Federal Pacific panel (ugh, yes, I know, but it's
working fine); his main breakers are backfed. Should they have holddown
screws? Do such panels even have threaded holes for such screws?

I don't know what FPE uses (or if it ever had anything). One of the weak
points of FPE is that the breakers come unplugged easily. I don't
remember how FPE installs main breakers - I don't remember they had the
unplugging problem.

The main breakers are installed just like all the others: held in at the
bottom under a metal ledge and clipped to the power buses. And I can
attest that these breakers do *not* come unplugged easily. I had a hell
of a time removing one to replace it; had to hook something under the
top of the breaker and pull hard to remove it.

"Working fine" - FPE panels work fine until you need a breaker to trip.
Then the breaker probably will (but maybe won't). The problem was
probably products manufactured 1965-1980. I expect you have seen plenty
of information on FPE.

Yes, I know all about the reported problems with FPE panels.

I've worked on 5 houses on the same block, friends and neighbors. All of
them have FPE panels (whoever sold them in Oakland did a hell of a job
back in the 50s and 60s). None of them have any serious problems. The
breakers in them trip properly on overloads.


--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism