can someone shed some light on my panel?
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2,513 Posts
FPE... Google the name...
Amplicity of panel
Basically you have a 100 amp breaker that feeds your circuits.Panel may or may not be capable of more amperage.
The determining factor is what are your stabs rated for on that panel .It's simple to figure out , either look at the internal panel and look for a rating or get the manufacture info and look it up on the web.
Also you may have more amplicity available,you would need to know what size conductors are feeding that meter socket . Hope this helps.:vs_worry:
Basically you have a 100 amp breaker that feeds your circuits.Panel may or may not be capable of more amperage.
The determining factor is what are your stabs rated for on that panel .It's simple to figure out , either look at the internal panel and look for a rating or get the manufacture info and look it up on the web.
Also you may have more amplicity available,you would need to know what size conductors are feeding that meter socket . Hope this helps.:vs_worry:
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11,194 Posts
That is an old FPE stablok panel. It is exterior mounted in an area subject to salt laden fog on occasion. The corrosion is worse inside the rain cover than outside. Behind the dead front may be even worse.
I don't think the OP should mess with it. Call an electrician to pull the dead front and assess the condition. Only then should the decision of adding a breaker be made.
Depending what is found, it may be time for a panel replacement.
I don't think the OP should mess with it. Call an electrician to pull the dead front and assess the condition. Only then should the decision of adding a breaker be made.
Depending what is found, it may be time for a panel replacement.
I was trying to get a quote.. had an electrician call me so I texted him these pictures and he told me he would.not touch it cause it's pacific electric box. I am renting...
.now what ...?says 2450 to replace it.. do they even sell these breakers anymore?
.now what ...?says 2450 to replace it.. do they even sell these breakers anymore?
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11,194 Posts
Since you are renting, you can't touch that panel. Technically, the landlord has to contract the work, even if he has you pay for it. He is not under an obligation to add circuits for an addition load that you want to bring in.
It does not surprise me that the electrician refuses to touch that box. Some will, but others will not. They don't feel the small job is worth the risk of having been the last person to touch it if (or when?) there is a major incident with it in the future.
Have you even told your uncle that you will be asking him to add a breaker to a FPE stablok box ? He might not want to touch it.
The breakers are still being made, at least in the most popular sizes. Connecticut Electric -UBI and American Circuit Breakers make them. Someone else may as well.
It does not surprise me that the electrician refuses to touch that box. Some will, but others will not. They don't feel the small job is worth the risk of having been the last person to touch it if (or when?) there is a major incident with it in the future.
Have you even told your uncle that you will be asking him to add a breaker to a FPE stablok box ? He might not want to touch it.
The breakers are still being made, at least in the most popular sizes. Connecticut Electric -UBI and American Circuit Breakers make them. Someone else may as well.
I am in california...we have a small back house that I discovered a Westinghouse house panel in a closet In a room. those breakers looks a bit newer then those on the actual main pe panel. I see eBay has some going like 40$ a breaker. but I read up on pe breakers and they're known for not triping when need. weve lived here for almost 10 years..and there were times our electricity did trip so. I dunno how dangerous were talking here. the electrical guy just looked at the pic and called me back and was like no way in he'll I'm touching that ..lol I just bought a leave and this trickle charging is soo slow. and I hope it's okay that I'm charging 120v on a PE panel. I check on it every hour and it seems fine. just need a solution soon.
the most I would draw at night would be 2- 3 hrs tops to get my car to 80% usually have like 20 to 30 % left..is that too much on this pe panel? say for a 40a or 30a breaker..cause the trickle charging stays connected for even lone5w period.. posting a greater Concern?
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11,194 Posts
There is a 5 fold increase in power requirement between the level 1 and level 2 chargers. You seem to be getting along with the level 1 charger,even though its slow.
The risk of adding the level 2 load is much higher, particularly since we do not know what the existing load on the service is, nor the actual condition of that panel. As I said earlier, I am a bit concerned with 50 or 60 years of Bay Area fog may have done to it.
If you can't get an electrician to inspect it and ok the additional load, you can live with what you have, trade the electric for a hybrid vehicle, or find a different place to rent.
I assume you have a list of charging stations or a phone app for them.
The risk of adding the level 2 load is much higher, particularly since we do not know what the existing load on the service is, nor the actual condition of that panel. As I said earlier, I am a bit concerned with 50 or 60 years of Bay Area fog may have done to it.
If you can't get an electrician to inspect it and ok the additional load, you can live with what you have, trade the electric for a hybrid vehicle, or find a different place to rent.
I assume you have a list of charging stations or a phone app for them.
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