Federal Pacific Low Voltage Light Switches

[Meandering]

It appears from what I can see, that the FP fuse panel has been replaced with a 200 amp panel. However, the FP low voltage switches remain, along with the transformer.

Anybody know if the switches pose the same fire threat as the outlets? Can the switches remain? Or must they also be replaced. I did not like the wiring on this switch, as my familiarity with them was that initially the ran on bell wire due to the nature of the low voltage.

Any help appreciated.


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[VegasWayne]

Are you sure it was low voltage? RV's and trailers typically have low voltage systems, not houses. I would be very nervous about switching the existing wiring and switches from 12V DC to 120V AC. From what I found on the internet, Federal Pacific manufactured 120V AC systems.

 

[Meandering]

Well,

That's a picture of the transformer. I'm going to go back for a better picture.

My previous experience with these low voltage light switches were that they were momentary switches run on bell wire, while these ones are click switches but appear to be wired with romex, but they lack any UL stamps on the metal brackets. I'm not pulling it apart, just was wondering how to address it. The house is vacant REO.

All the outlets were replaced with standard and GFI outlets.


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[VegasWayne]

The transformer is probably for the doorbell, which is low voltage. The switch appears to be 120V AC, old and ugly and needing a cover plate, but probably functional. Federal Pacific breakers in the panel are the usual hazard that a home inspector would find, not the switches. Check the replaced the outlets with a plug tester. I've seen amateur repairs where the ground on the three-prong outlet is not hooked to anything. They probably had two-prong outlets originally.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

12 v wiring might be bigger since low volts means high amps to get the same power?

I thought about building a house with 12 v system, then I thought about using a DC/AC inverter to get 110v, which is what we did in the oil patch. The juice from a generator was often DC current and so you had to do a 110DC/AC conversion.

I think I'd want an electrician to check that out.

 

[Meandering]

thanks guys.

There is no doorbell, but it's got newer vinyl siding so who knows if it ever had one. Maybe not. It is in an old vacation community. I'm calling all inspections for one reason or another, but seeing older equipment market Federal electric, gave me pause, especially since the breaker had been replaced. And yes, it all appears to be non-professional work. But thanks.

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[Mr Rex]

It was the Federal Pacific "Stab Lok" Circuit breakers that were defective. There other panels, breakers, and equipment are fine. FWIW, Zinsco , Zinsco Sylvania, and GTE Sylvania Zinsco breakers and panels are also potential fire hazards.

 

[Meandering]

Thank you Mr. Rex.

One other small question,

Anybody guess the life expectancy of wall switches? Nothing mechanical lasts forever as safe, so I was just wondering if there is any "scheduled maintenance" for replacing such things? I think life expectancy of CPVC pipe is like 80 years, I know outlets from the 30s, 40s and 50s had to be replaced because they were made for 2 even pronged wires, and the current wires have one larger prong, so that kind of forced replacements. But was just wondering how old switches can be before they start to fail and might become unsafe.


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[VegasWayne]

There were some DC systems in use until fairly recently. Edison promoted DC and Westinghouse AC. The DC systems require nearby power plants and larger diameter transmission wires. They delivered about 100V to the customer. On your car the starter motor is run from 12V DC and it has a fairly large wire to deliver the required current. Current is what kills, not voltage. Static shocks can have a very high voltage (1,000 to 10,000 Volts) and car batteries have been used as torture devices. Here's an article about the "War of the Currents" [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Currents [/URL]

A switch is a simple device. When they wear out the stop working. To don't explode or catch fire.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

We had a wall switch fail after less than 2 years. The cheap plastic cracked inside and it would not turn off. I noticed it said spec grade on it, which I took to mean cheap crapola from China. Other much older switches continue to work fine.

Have replaced outlets not for the 2 slot same size issue, but because they were worn and loose and plugs would come out too easy. Guessing a lot of it is original to the house, aka 1956. Electricity is fun.