2. misc-audio
  3. 188459-20253

Is it time for new breakers?

Based on online reading, breakers last from 30 to 40 years assuming they don’t get tripped or suffer surges often. Less than that if they have tripped often, run "hot" or in a lightning prone area without suppression.

So, if your breakers were installed before 1984 it’s time to re-assess them.

Separately, some homes before then were built with Federal Pacific panels and those need to be removed ASAP, and anything else which used the stab-loc design. 

Definitely get whole-house surge suppressors. They won’t prevent every surge but will keep your fire alarms, Wifi thermostats, automated light switches and compute controlled washing machine running longer.

As of the 2020 NEC Arc-Fault breakers were required, and the 2023 requires even more devices be GFCI protected. Fortunately if you skipped the first generation AFCI, the second generation (CAFCI) is smarter and more reliable.  All of these are important safety upgrades you might as well make.

erik_squires
hilroy48
104 posts
 

I am an electrician by trade, I installed a square D QO panel in my house in 1990. There is no need whatsoever to replace breakers. Why would I spend all that money to upgrade when it isn't required? New housing has to follow current code. which is a money driven business. 

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,382 posts
 

My house was built in 86 and had Federal Pacific which I replaced in the 90s. The new arc fault breakers are $40 each. Old style is $8. When I replaced my panel I remeber the new panel (200amp) was about $150 and the breakers $4 each. I did it myself on a Saturday. If you have 20 breakers at $40 each that is $800. Not really outrageous but seems a lot to those of us used to paying 1/10 that.

A problem that my neighborhood has is the gas meter is directly below the electrical panel--not allowed by code now. So if you call an electrician to replace your FPE breakers, he will have to bid the job to move the box and bids have all been well north of $10K.

Jerry

erik_squires OP
15,805 posts
 

@carlsbad2 I had no idea FP was still bein installed in 1986, I thought they went out of business by 1980. 

You are definitely not wrong about how much more expensive breakers are now than they used to be.  In 2023 the new code adds GFCI requirements for a lot of appliances that used to not.  Washer, dryer, range, microwave, etc. and each of those adds $20 to the breaker costs as well.

More to discover