My electrician says that several of my breaker switches are arc-ing and that is what is causing the issues with my bathroom exhaust fan and the way small appliances are working in my kitchen. He says if two breaker switches are having a problem, all are probably wearing out. He says that breaker switches are phased out every 5 years or so and eventually replacement switches won’t fit the box I have. In fact the switches I have (original to this complex - built 1989) are no longer available and the newer ones (currently being phased out) luckily do still fit. He recommends replacing all of the switches now to avoid needing a whole new box for a lot more money in the near future. I do not have a price quote yet, but materials will be about $170, quote expected later this week approx $700-$1000. Suggestions.
6 Responses to “when is it time to replace a breaker box.”
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Talk to another electrician, it seems this guy is trying to soak you. His price is outrageous. Circuit breakers are reliable and last a very long time. Breakers just don’t wear out. While there will invariably be failures in any given item, I think what he is telling you is stretching the truth.
Having a couple of spare breakers is not a bad idea. Replacement of a faulty breaker is very simple even for a novice.
he is full of crap,
did he go to rip off school .
tell him he needs to go back to school,
Unless you are using the breaker switches as an on/off switch, they don’t “wear” out. While there can be natural failures in any product, it normally doesn’t happen in breakers. If there is arcing, it could be loose wire.
Breakers rarely wear out. Just keep a couple extras for the future if one or 2 does go bad. I know of many 40 + year old homes with the original breakers.
It depends on the brand. Some of the top quality makers like ITE and Square D last for years, others like FPE last a few years, some have been so unreliable, no top professional will use them. Bulldog was one of those. If the arcing is in the connection from the buss to the breaker, it’s time to replace the whole thing and use a top brand, Breakers are about $7-$20 each depending on the brand and ratings. A panel is less than $100, a days labor is about 8x$100 so I find the guesstimate to be about fair for many markets. If you have a midnight type contractor, who will warrant the work if something goes wrong. The professional craftsman spends 4-5 years to learn the trade and has a family to support and must allow for call backs if something goes wrong. As expensive as it seems now, paying the price for a peofessional is cheaper than a fire or a funeral if something goes wrong.
ahhh yes the old.”bad breaker” ploy. this guy is a hack and should not be trusted to perform electrically sound work. talk to someone you trust to find the name of a real electrician. ask to see their certification, if your state requires one. a certified journeyman electrician is financially and criminally responsible for their work