g/electrical • Posted by u/panel_pete • 13 days ago

Before/after on a 200A panel replacement — Square D QO200

Customer called with a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok that had been on a home inspector's report for 3 years. Owner finally pulled the trigger after selling the house fell through over it.

Pulled the old FPE, installed a Square D QO200L200PG with a 30-space box. Took the opportunity to separate the neutrals and grounds throughout, add AFCI on the bedroom circuits, and label everything properly.

Previous electrician had used push-in connectors on 10AWG — on a dryer circuit. Those came out immediately.

Threw in a couple pics of the before and after. The before is genuinely terrifying.

💬 4 replies

4 replies

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u/breaker_bob • 13 days ago

Push-ins on 10AWG dryer circuits are how houses burn down. Good catch. I've seen 6AWG on push-ins too — some contractors clearly never read the device ratings.

114

u/conduit_king • 13 days ago

That before picture is nightmare fuel. Good work getting that out.

104

u/sparky420 • 13 days ago

FPE Stab-Loks keep me employed. Nice clean install — I like seeing the neutrals and grounds separated properly. Too many guys skip that on replacements.

101

u/nec_nerd • 13 days ago

200-amp service, 30 space, QO — solid choice. Did you run the new meter base or was that already 200A? Some of these older FPE installs were undersized at the meter too.