How far back in years to go on houses? 5-10years?

[Transplanted99]

Good tips guys, keep em coming!

[Ralph_Kirk]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Probably old Federal Pacific panels. My house had a Federal Pacific Stablok when I bought it. I had it replaced prior to moving in.

Doing some more reading, Federal Pacific panels appear to be linked as problematic with aluminum-wired homes (built mostly between 1965 and 1975). Aluminum wiring creates heating/arcing issues when connected with copper (such as at switches, receptacles, et cetera--everywhere).

Federal Pacific panels apparently were very slow to break faulty circuits, which compounded the issue when aluminum wiring connectors began to fail over time.

If a house had the combination of FP panels and aluminum wiring, replacing the panel at least gave you a panel that would reliably break a faulty circuit...but the circuits were still faulty. So if the house has aluminum wiring, additional steps have to be taken to remediate that problem.

So aluminum wiring is also something to check in houses built from 1965 to 1975, before it was prohibited by code. There may be some older houses with aluminum wiring, too.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Ralph_Kirk

Doing some more reading, Federal Pacific panels appear to be linked as problematic with aluminum-wired homes (built mostly between 1965 and 1975). Aluminum wiring creates heating/arcing issues when connected with copper (such as at switches, receptacles, et cetera--everywhere).

Federal Pacific panels apparently were very slow to break faulty circuits, which compounded the issue when aluminum wiring connectors began to fail over time.

If a house had the combination of FP panels and aluminum wiring, replacing the panel at least gave you a panel that would reliably break a faulty circuit...but the circuits were still faulty. So if the house has aluminum wiring, additional steps have to be taken to remediate that problem.

So aluminum wiring is also something to check in houses built from 1965 to 1975, before it was prohibited by code. There may be some older houses with aluminum wiring, too.

My house doesn't have aluminum wiring but I researched the model of FP panel in it and it has been implicated in a lot of house fires regardless of whether the house had copper or aluminum wiring. I wouldn't spend the night in the house until the panel was replaced (200 amp GE).

You are correct that there are houses built prior to 1965 with aluminum wiring. I know someone whose 1950s house has it.

[Komeht]

I would easily take a well cared for well built house that was 75 years of over 95% of the tract home crap that is new.

[seat21d]

Originally Posted by Komeht

I would easily take a well cared for well built house that was 75 years of over 95% of the tract home crap that is new.

Almost there...I love my 74 year old house.