Federal Pacific Fpe
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question about a panel change out(old FPE)?
i have been asked to change 4 federal pacific electric panels. they are probably just going to be subpanels mainly, just one smaller main. i have never done a panel change before, but have installed and wired several panels in a classroom environment. my "main" question is how will i disconnect power to the main, will the owner need to schedule an appointment with the utility, and if so, will i need to be involved? my second question is, how tight should i torque the lugs? i have 10mm and 3/8 inch allen wrenches, will these be big enough? i have smaller. my final question is what if i run into knob and tube? is it legal to terminate K&T in a new panel, if not, how would i do it?
i have went threw a 2 year NON UNION apprenticeship(no jobs ever) and attended a 2 year high school electrical trades program. i know a lot. no clue on wiring methods though, ie fishing wiring through masonry and running long lengths of conduit and pulling it, installing switchgear.
well to start with if you aren't a liscensed electrician you should be supervised by one....but im not here to lecture about the laws and dangers of what your doing....with that said....if your changing out sub panels then kill the power at the main panel if its a main then you can either work it hot or call the utility company to kill power but they may have a trip charge for this...as far as the knob and tube, I would terminate it all into a Junction box and splice it to romex......go from the jb with romex to the new panel.....In all honesty if you run into K&T the whole houses really needs to be rewired its a danger and a time bomb. in the very least you should re run the heavy loads with new wire. as far as the torque spec's it should be listed in the info with the new panels....good luck and pray nothing ever goes wrong...these are the kind circumstances licensed electricians are even weary of.