Charlie:
Patrick up in Jersey Village, and she says, “I’ve been having a problem with a particular fuse going off.” It seems to be an electrical day today. He says it’s a Federated Pacific fuse box.
Tom:
Federal Pacific. He might have wrote federated.
Charlie:
He did. He did write federated.
Tom:
It’s actually Federal Pacific.
Charlie:
Maybe he meant venerated.
Tom:
Whatever.
Charlie:
Anyway.
Tom:
That’s the name of it.
Charlie:
Regardless.
Tom:
FP.
Charlie:
Whatever it’s divine intention, it’s 35 years old, okay? Like all things of men, it does not last, right? “I went online,” he says, “and found a story about how this fuse box is a fire hazard.” He wants to know, “Should I replace the box,” and I say I have to quote Socrates once again: “A question well asked is half answered.”
Tom:
Yes. Actually, they’re recommending that all of those be replaced because they are old and they are somewhat subject to have some problems. Quite frankly, I think it’s a little over-blown because it creates a lot of work for people too, but if he’s having problems with it … My mother has one at her house. It’s perfectly fine. There’s never any problems, but if you’re starting to have problems with it, then the answer would be, “It’s probably a very good idea to have it replaced.”
Charlie:
Your instructions, Mom: Mom, if you smell smoke, let me know, right?
Tom:
Usually what happens is the breakers start going bad, and people try to jiggle them and jaggle them and keep it working and, you know, when it goes bad, it goes bad.
Charlie:
What is it, Federal Pacific?
Tom:
Federal Pacific.
Charlie:
Yeah. It is the only product … You know, the … Right Touch Electric, they never say anything bad about anything? This is the only thing they something bad about is that product.
Tom:
Yeah. This one, and then there was one before that called Zinsco. They probably don’t even see them anymore. I had them in my beach house until Hurricane Ike
Charlie:
…..self-incinerated by now?
Tom:
Those were a mess, but those are the 2 that kind of came and need to be all replaced. Eventually, they’ll all be gone.
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