frequent indoor power outage

15 years ago

Recently, started to have power outages within minutes of using either my elec dryer, toaster or microwave (not at same time). Have baseboard heaters in five rooms with one spare bedroom shutoff.

Checking service panel shows no individual breaker tripped, nor is the Main Switch out of position. Turning the Main Switch off and then on, does nothing (actually feels mushy - no firm snap on). I can do this 5/6 times - nothing, but if I wait 2/3 minutes, I can get a firm click ON and power is back (almost like the connections needed time to cool down).

At times, power will stay back on, but a few times ONLY for 2/3 minutes.

Cycle will then repeat when I use the aforementioned appliances the next day.

I had Sparky check the service panel connections for looseness, and I noticed individual breaker connections were slightly loose, but the Main Switch was firm.

My big question (remember I'm just a homeowner, so pse excuse any dumb questions) - shouldn't something be tripped and physically noticed in the service panel when power goes out.??

Other than that, I suspect the Main Switch may need to be replaced. The unit is a Federal Pacific 200 amp, 24 circuits, installed in the mid 60's. I'm hoping someone can shed some light on the subject, particularly the availablility of a replacement Main Switch. Dome some research and see where many individuals condemn the Fed Pacific unit and suggest replacement with the Square D. Can't afford a complete makeover right now - and hope I can just get my present unit fixed.

Electric Co checked incoming and said everything fine on their end, and commented on the Main Switch. Sparky too said Main Switch may be bad and will look into getting replaced.

Appreciate any comments, and pse forgive my newbie status. Thanks in advance . . .

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Comments (8)

tlewis_hvac
15 years ago
It definitely sounds like the main 200 amp switch.
mr_havac
15 years ago
There are 2 words in this post that make me cringe! They are Federal Pacific! No I'm not an electrician but I've heard from several that if ever a brand of electrical panels were capable of burning down a house it would be them. Do yourself a favor, have an electrician check your system out for your sake and the sake of everyone in your house. There's a saying "sometimes when precious seconds count the fire department is minutes away!"
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benek
Original Author
15 years ago
As I indicated, Electrician did a service check. Hopin' someone would comment on the lack of a breaker and/or main switch physically tripping.
I can opt for a service panel replacement but was told that a square-D 30 unit box would be twice the length of my present 24 unit box (requiring some modifications to basement wall) and would cost > $ 1100.
I too have heard the horror stories re Fed Pac, but they all seem to come from non-electricians. I just want to replace my Main Switch for now, if that's possible.
tlewis_hvac
15 years ago
That brand of Main Switch will end up costing you around 250 installed, so you would be a quarter of the way to a new panel. You can just replace the switch, but by the end of it you will have spent 1400 dollars.
kalining
15 years ago
You had better replace that panel A.S.A.P. I have the same
problem, well HAD the same problem. I fixed it but due to a
safety issue i can't tell you what i did. Your buss bars are separating. The screws are coming loose on the main
strips under all the breakers. You can't see them unless you remove all breakers. My main breaker would trip
" without " the handles moving. It was a 125 amp breaker and would trip on 60 amps. It was red hot and actually burned one contact leg. I had to freeze the breaker before
i could reset it. My double throw breaker on my pool heater
would also trip " without " the handle moving. Drove me nuts for a week. I decided to quit being lazy one day and
checked for power at the pool. Low and behold, no power.
Breaker didn't trip. So i thought. It tripped. Handel didn't move. Is your load balanced ?
benek
Original Author
15 years ago
Appreciate your comments. What drove me crazy was the Failure of the Main Switch to Trip. When Sparky checked my connections, I did notice most all breaker screws were slightly loose, even tho the Main Switch was firm.
I was hoping to replace the Main Switch, but after researching all the probs connected to the Fed Pac units, and especially the responses from this terrific forum, I did call Sparky today and gave him the go ahead to replace with the QO Square D load center.
Thanks to All for their great help and education. Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays.
davidandkasie
15 years ago
the failure to trip is the problem with FP breakers and why they should be replaced. google it, don't just take our word for it.
benek
Original Author
15 years ago
Just an update for those kind enough to help me thru my situation.
Replaced my Fed pac unit with the 30 unit QO Square Deal.
When we puled the old unit out, found bus bar seperations in two breakers to my kitchen outlets feeding my microwave, toaster and coffee machines. Also, the Main Switch was heavily corroded.
Thanks again for your input.

frequent indoor power outage

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frequent indoor power outage

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