Federal Pacific circuit breaker ohm check
#1
12-15-14, 10:46 AM
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
Federal Pacific circuit breaker ohm check
I have two Federal Pacific 60-amp double pole breakers, and both of them are giving really erratic ohm readings. Sometimes it will be 2 ohms, sometimes 60, sometimes several thousand, sometimes a million. Yet when I connect a 12-volt battery and light to it, the light turns on brightly every time. This doesn't make any sense to me 
Sponsored Links
#3
12-15-14, 12:27 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 4,297
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
#4
12-15-14, 01:35 PM
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
When I put both probes on the stabs, or both on the screw terminal, I consistently get less than 1 ohm.
I am aware of the failure to trip issue, but buying a whole new breaker box is not really feasible at this time... and the house actually has two breaker boxes.
I am aware of the failure to trip issue, but buying a whole new breaker box is not really feasible at this time... and the house actually has two breaker boxes.
#6
12-15-14, 07:34 PM
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
The breaker that's currently installed is dead. I have these two other breakers that I could swap in. There is no main breaker, so I will have to get the power company to shut off power before I can change the breaker. So I would like to know that the spare is good before I have them come.
#7
12-15-14, 07:39 PM
When I put both probes on the stabs, or both on the screw terminal, I consistently get less than 1 ohm.
I will have to get the power company to shut off power before I can change the breaker. So I would like to know that the spare is good before I have them come.
#9
12-16-14, 09:19 AM
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
I'm attempting to change the HVAC breaker. There is no main breaker.
The power company says there is no charge to come shut off power, if I give them 2 days notice. Maybe I will just have to do that, and then check voltage drop across the breaker after it's installed.
The power company says there is no charge to come shut off power, if I give them 2 days notice. Maybe I will just have to do that, and then check voltage drop across the breaker after it's installed.
#11
12-16-14, 09:34 AM
Unless there are only six breakers or less there should be a main cut off somewhere else. Or it is a very old installation which given the FPE is probably the case.
So I would like to know that the spare is good before I have them come.
#12
12-16-14, 10:51 AM
If you are not comfortable working in a hot panel I would call and ask for a disconnect. When the truck shows up tell them you are changing a breaker and will be done in 10 minutes to see if they can wait. They could pull the meter, let you do your work and reinstall the meter. This is not something that should take an inspection.
Have a flashlight ready to go along with your tools. Turn off breaker, loosen screws holding wires, remove wires from breaker. Install new breaker, insert wires, tighten screws. Turn on breaker.
Have a flashlight ready to go along with your tools. Turn off breaker, loosen screws holding wires, remove wires from breaker. Install new breaker, insert wires, tighten screws. Turn on breaker.
«
Previous Thread
|
Next Thread
»
Linear Mode
