|
|
Post by oggie on Jul 14, 2015 22:23:51 GMT
We get to replace our electric service panel because the one that came with the house is not good (It's a Federal Pacific).
The sparkie that's doing the work wants to know if we want to upgrade the usual replacement with a copper bus.
It would cost $475 more.
Is that worth it? Would a copper as opposed to aluminum be that much safer or durable?
|
|
|
|
Post by copperkid3 on Jul 14, 2015 22:35:49 GMT
Does it drive any better than a normal, gold-plated 'bus'?
Regular, diesel or flex-fuel? Will it have regular scheduled stops or is it an express type?
Is the guy who quoted you the price, named Ralph Kramdem?
|
|
|
|
Post by Rustaholic on Jul 15, 2015 2:23:31 GMT
We get to replace our electric service panel because the one that came with the house is not good (It's a Federal Pacific). The sparkie that's doing the work wants to know if we want to upgrade the usual replacement with a copper bus. It would cost $475 more. Is that worth it? Would a copper as opposed to aluminum be that much safer or durable? I would just go with a standard Square D panel. An AL buss and AL contacts on the Breakers have been fine for years. It is when you have contact between AL and CU that you get the corrosion if you don't use enough AL-OX on the area. Yes I did spend seven years wiring new and old houses with an electrician.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bear Foot Farm on Jul 15, 2015 4:29:35 GMT
Just don't get a Short Skool Bus and you will be fine with either one
|
|
|
|
Post by karenp on Jul 15, 2015 13:00:48 GMT
DH is an electrician, he say the up grade is worth while, but it shouldn't cost that much more. Maybe look into buying the panel yourself.
|
|
|
|
Post by oggie on Jul 15, 2015 14:37:40 GMT
DH is an electrician, he say the up grade is worth while, but it shouldn't cost that much more. Maybe look into buying the panel yourself. The way I understand it, in order to upgrade to the copper bus bars, the electrician would install a higher grade panel and breakers. We pretty much have to chose from what the electrician offers because those are the panels with which he's familiar (plus, I'm sure he probably gets a part of the price of the panel, which is OK with us as long as it's reasonable). My wife, after a bit of Internet research, tends to think that copper is the best way to go. I initially thought that any new panel would be better than the Federal Pacific one that has to go. I haven't worried about the bus bar material in any of the sub panels I've installed in out-buildings on the various places I've lived over the years, but I wasn't actually living in any of those sheds. |
|
|
|
Post by Rustaholic on Jul 16, 2015 2:41:35 GMT
In the seven years I wired houses I never saw any copper busses.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenp on Jul 16, 2015 10:24:02 GMT
DH is an electrician, he say the up grade is worth while, but it shouldn't cost that much more. Maybe look into buying the panel yourself. The way I understand it, in order to upgrade to the copper bus bars, the electrician would install a higher grade panel and breakers. We pretty much have to chose from what the electrician offers because those are the panels with which he's familiar (plus, I'm sure he probably gets a part of the price of the panel, which is OK with us as long as it's reasonable). My wife, after a bit of Internet research, tends to think that copper is the best way to go. I initially thought that any new panel would be better than the Federal Pacific one that has to go. I haven't worried about the bus bar material in any of the sub panels I've installed in out-buildings on the various places I've lived over the years, but I wasn't actually living in any of those sheds. When I read your post to him and said Federal Pacific he just groaned. You're doing well to replace it no matter what you go with. |
|
|
|
Post by Use Less on Jul 16, 2015 10:41:36 GMT
I had to bring an electrician in on an emergency call, oy ve, to replace the panel right as I closed on the house. The insurance company gave me DAYS before the coverage would be suspended. No idea about the copper alternative. Wasn't suggested, don't have. The electrician has been in business 25 years.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2015 14:41:17 GMT
The way I understand it, in order to upgrade to the copper bus bars, the electrician would install a higher grade panel and breakers. We pretty much have to chose from what the electrician offers because those are the panels with which he's familiar (plus, I'm sure he probably gets a part of the price of the panel, which is OK with us as long as it's reasonable). My wife, after a bit of Internet research, tends to think that copper is the best way to go. I initially thought that any new panel would be better than the Federal Pacific one that has to go. I haven't worried about the bus bar material in any of the sub panels I've installed in out-buildings on the various places I've lived over the years, but I wasn't actually living in any of those sheds. When I read your post to him and said Federal Pacific he just groaned. You're doing well to replace it no matter what you go with. The breakers cost a fortune. If we buy a rental with the Federal Pacific panel box it gets replaced 1st thing. |
|
|
|
Post by sawmilljim on Jul 16, 2015 15:06:09 GMT
Makes me glad I do my own work . Nothing wrong with the stab lock FP boxes if not overloaded .Many have lasted 60 years or more. Any new box balanced and not overloaded will out last most people alive today . My personal preference in a box is Bryant Westinghouse now owned by Cutler Hammer a single pole 20 amp breaker is only $5.25 .
|
|
|
|
Post by oggie on Jul 16, 2015 15:46:25 GMT
Ours is a 200 amp box, so I think that a standard panel is probably more than enough.
The only thin that I'm sure of is that the old panel needs to go.
|
|
|
|
Post by sawmilljim on Jul 16, 2015 21:22:03 GMT
Ours is a 200 amp box, so I think that a standard panel is probably more than enough. The only thin that I'm sure of is that the old panel needs to go. Well go to Lowes get your box and breakers and get at it . Just got to be sure your old entry wires will meet todays code ,those pesky folks that they are . Last system I did I met with the inspector and made notes of how he wanted it done . Yea I had to pay his fee ,a rough in fee and a final inspection too. In the old days I changed out some panels without pulling the meter or telling the inspector either . No such thing as a standard panel . |
|
