Hi, does anyone know where I can get parts for a Federal Pacific breaker box? I have the breaker, I just need the socket that goes on the bus bar, where the breaker pushes into. I don't know how else to describe it but the breakers I have are Stab-Lock brakers, they hook into the box at the top, then they have copper spades that push into the bus bar(I believe this is the term for the terminal the breakers go into). I have extra places for more breakers, but it appears that you have to purchase the sockets extra, as the extra slots, just have full metal plates in the place where the socket would go. Any suggestions? I realize that I should replace the whole breaker box, but I cannot afford this at this time and we need to get our stove running!
Thanks,
djhurt1

 

Did you try Electrical Supply? Thats the only place I can think of.

 

I am not familiar with the federals but i can say that i am not sure what you are trying to do is correct. breakers just fit into panels either with screws or they snap in like you describe , but i have never had or herd of buying anything additional to get a breaker to fit. Some panels have extra knockouts and no buss behind them for breakers this does not mean the panel can take more breakers only that that cover is used on more than one panel. If there is no buss left to snap the breaker onto then your panel is probably full.

 

Federal Pacific boxes are not exactly the best in the world. I would either add a supanel or replace the main panel to a bigger one.

 

I agree with what Sparky said. If there are no places in the bus for new breakers then your panel is full even if the front plate has more knockouts.

 

Well, I think I will replace the whole panel. I was working on it the other day and the breakers were literally just falling out constantly. I'ts obviously not a very good design. Thanks for the input people and I do appreciate it.
djhurt1

 

http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpefire.htm
will give you an idea of why electricians are so leery of these panels. The brand name was sued out of existence because of these problems.
--
Tom

 

The brand is still widely used in Canada.

 

I have seen in some panels where the enclosure (box and cover) are used in several models. The only difference would be the inside mounting plate (breaker bus bars and such). In that case it would seem possible to simply replace the whole insides, although I would suspect that it will cost the same to just replace the panel to a new one. The most you'll gain will be 2 or 4 slots. I just worked with a Siemens panel (outdoor) in which both a 8 and 12 circuit version was available. The boxes were identical (same number of knockouts, faceplate). Of course it won't be up to code to do this, but it would seem doable.

 

I have a whole bucket full of breakers left from those. I throw them away also. Finally got rid of the last federal I owned a couple of years ago,,, good riddens. Cheap insurance to replace it.

 

djhurt1,

Instead of replaing the entire panel you should consider just replaing all the older FPE breakers with new ones made by American Circuit. These are UL listed and pass all required trip tests. It would be a lot cheaper.