Paul
I like the photo of the ostrich with its’ head in the sand, …er I mean the outlet, on the original link
http://magazine.iaei.org/magazine/99_c/stablok.htm
I think the author, who’s name was left out of the IAEI letter, also has had his head in the sand a little too long…
( I notice that they did provide their attorneys name, in case any one has questions)
(…as if that isn’t an admission that they do have some type of problem. Don’t call us…call our attorney…
OK a statement in the IAEI article said that the load center was not the focus of the investigation and the complaints…
Let’s assume that the load center is acceptable…and you can just replace the circuit breakers with new replacements.
I know that you can, I have seen them at Lowe’s…however, for the cost of a few FPE breakers,
… you can have a nice Siemens load center preloaded with a 200A main and a starter set 15A breakers. The additional circuit breakers for Siemens are considerably less expensive.
Pick your favorite panel brand and compare prices. It is shocking what they charge for the FPE breakers, but it is understandable. When you have a product that lacks sales volume, the price is naturally more. Simple economics.
OK so the next argument might be that the FPE breakers cost more, but you save all that labor on not installing a new panel. Sure, but most people would hire an electrician to replace all those expensive FPE breakers. That still takes some labor, and while it is less, how much are you saving?
By the way did you notice that the IAEI added this statement to the article;
“This information is neither approved nor disapproved by the International Association of Electrical Inspectors.”
I don’t believe they have ever made a statement about the FPE panels.
However I am not afraid to make a statement on my reports every time I find an FPE panel. And the recommendation is to always replace. Cheap insurance for everyone involved. It cost alot more when the house, the belongings, and maybe the occupants, have been burned to a crisp. Can anyone even imagine the expert witnesses coming out of the woodwork to testify how bad these panels are, and the inspector should have reported it. Gives me chills.