In a message dated 10/21/2005 10:38:28 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
rob@sherweng.com writes:
After that I did some research on FPE, and found there were know
problems with their breakers not opening under a serious fault. I had
the panel replaced within the month.
73, Rob, NC0B
Hi Rob, these are called "stab-lock" breakers, indeed they are old and
electricians run for the hills when they see them in a house Hi Hi. Good that
you
had them changed. Lately, some banks will NOT loan money on a house that is
fitted with fuses. Truly, fuses are probably the most reliable BUT it is
too easy to screw in a 30A fuse in a 15 A circuit, that is a recipe for
DANGER!
It is for this reason that breakers are required. Someone is less likely
to open up an electrical panel and start changing breakers as easily as a fuse
can be replaced. The new electrical code for bedroom circuits now call for
"arc-fault" circuit breakers. They cost about $50.00 each. They detect
arcing connections that could cause a fire, and then shut down the circuit.
BUT...don't plug in a lamp with the switch on or else your breaker will trip.
In
fact you can't plug anything in that has a load high enough to cause a
momentary spark at the outlet or else there goes the breaker. Louie
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