Federal Electric Service Panel

[bk406]

Precisely why an A/C unit should be on its own circuit.

 

[Beez]

If this happens, it is an issue. It usually means that the electrical service is not big enough for the house. It can occur in houses that only have 100 amp service. If this happens in new houses, the electrical needs to be looked at. It's not normal.
For comparison, I have 2 large air conditioners (2 zone) and heat pump for the pool with 200 amp service. All 3 have kicked on at the same time numerous times. Never had a light dim, ever.

Did I mention the house has only 100 amp service? Another known issue that got shoved to the back burner... :x

 

[bk406]

Did I mention the house has only 100 amp service? Another known issue that got shoved to the back burner... :x

Thats why your lights dim when your A/C kicks on. The initial current draw on start up taxes the system.

 

[gkruske]

I'm a home inspector, and every time I see the old FP Stab-Loc's, I print off a 5 page notice on the d*** things for the buyer. Most of the time, the seller bucks up and has the panel replaced since they are a known hazard.

On the other side of the coin, I ran into a pool subpanel that was full of aluminum wiring. Not sure how that passed code, but I wrote that up pretty quickly.

Neighbor 2 houses down (35 year old house) finally had their panel, which was wired with aluminum, go up in smoke a couple weeks ago.

Plenty of things to watch out for and keep in mind with subpanels, especially the older ones.

 

[vln]

How do you tell if you have a FP panel/breakers? My house was built in 1971 and my previous house as built in 95 and both had lights dimmed when the air turned on, but oh well.

Also, what does failed open/closed mean?

 

[Bama Rambler]

The name "Federal Electric" will be on the panel and breakers.

Failed open means the the device fails in the open position (i.e. No electricity can flow through it) and cannot be reset.
Failed closed means that the device fails closed (i. e. Power flows through it all the time) and cannot be tripped or opened (i.e. Turned off).

 

[vln]

Thanks. I just checked, both were made by GE. Thank God. I didn't want to spend $3000 for a panel and then a sub panel.