What circuit breaker will interchange with federal pacific?

Answer 1

There is no breaker that will fit a FPE panel except a FPE. The breakers are still being manufactured and are available at Lowes and Home Depot stores, but they are expensive. The failure rate of FPE breakers is worrisome and if I had one in my home I would change it.

Federal Pacific has been out of business since the early 80's The current breakers being sold at Home Depot etc, are NOT manufactured by Federal Pacific since that company no longer exists. They are made by aftermarket companies. The FPE problems are not associated with the newer products, HOWEVER, there may be issues with the older FPE panels themselves. It is important to inspect the panels carefully and see that there are no burned or arcing areas and that all screws on the bus bar are securely tight and the bus is not damaged in any way. The breakers must fit properly and SECURELY in to the panel bus bar and the panel cover must hold the breakers securely in place as there are no actual screws to hold the breakers in place. If the breaker fit is loose or sloppy, there is a problem.To clarify the answer to the question, there ARE other options to Federal Pacific or the aftermarket manufactured products. Federal Pacific has a "sister" company in Canada called Federal Pioneer. They are still in business and still being installed today. Although there was a recall on some of there breakers several years ago, there is not the notorious history to Federal Pioneer and they have continued to improve on the product designs.The Federal Pioneer breakers are available in Canada at very competitive prices. There are some sellers on ebay as well, but the shipping costs may be a bit high if you order one or two breakers only.Federal Pioneer is marketed by Schneider Electric of Canada. Check online for further details on the products and availability. You can also buy US made breakers manufacturers like "American" "Challenger" and "Connecticut" electric and a few others. Old, used or NOS "Federal Pacific" breakers have been determined to have high failure rates and should not be used as replacements. Existing Federal pacific breakers should be replaced even if they "appear" to be functioning normally.

Keep in mind that the Federal Pacific panels themselves may not meet current codes or standards and should not be used for new installations or "expansions". Replacements of existing breakers are usually "grandfathered" in but once again, the breaker panels themselves should be checked out thoroughly for damages and ALL screw connections should be tight and secure and breakers should be secure in the bus bar. Covers should be securely installed. It may not be cost effective to replace ALL breakers as opposed to replacing the entire breaker panel itself. Weigh out the costs carefully as well as the problems and costs of replacing the entire panel. Keep in mind your "future needs" when making this determination.

Answer 2

One option that could potentially interchange with Federal Pacific circuit breakers is a Cutler-Hammer breaker, as they have been known to fit in some of the same panel models. However, it is crucial to consult with a licensed electrician or the manufacturer to ensure compatibility and safety for your specific application.