If it's anything like a NYC arrangement where a second apt feeder passes thru it , CH makes a breaker retrofit kit. Otherwise I have mounted a new panel over the old using chase nipples and bushings, securing the new to the old panel cover screw patern and passing the wires into the new one in front. Not the prettiest job but effective for block walls/rigid conduit/ and passing feeders.

 

I have done both ways you said. Used the CH retro kits they work alright most of the time but we usually just replace the panel and either mount 16x16 box halfway over old panel with chases into new panel and just use another box cover to cover rest of old panel or I have also taken 2 box covers and put LBs from one cover into new panel and made connections from the other half then covered with cover. Legal up ehre and inspectors never had a problem.

They do not like covering over old panel with new panel though like Shockdoc has mentioned as they are worried you could cover up connections. I'll post a pic of a recent one I did if I can find it.

 

Ok here is one I have done recently. I reused the old panel cover and just removed the old hinge cover. Now the main feeders I put the LB into the actually cover. I also installed 2 1" LBs for the load wires into the 16x16 cover which you can see the cover on the ground where I am to install the 1" LBs. I cut that cover in half so I would have more room in the top to do connections and installed another 16x16 cover which could be removed to reach connections with no problem. And like I said totally legal here and inspectors would rather this than directly over the existing panel.

 

Please send a pic of the finished job.

 

I need to return sometime this week to finish installing data plates that were on order into the wiremold that was below the panel so I'll try and remember to take some pictures then of the completed product.

 

I have to repair a fuse panel in a highrise building and the feedrs for the whole section of the building run through the existing panel so changing it is really out of the question. is there another way to fix this fuse panel. maybe a retrofit for breakers or something thanks

With that in mind, how do you propose to do the work? Are you going to do it hot or schedule a shutdown?

If doing it hot, you'd better be a sole proprietor working for yourself or you will face severe penalties from OSHA. If you are an employee and your boss expects you to do it hot, then he's an idiot. If you are going to work it hot yourself, you're an idiot too.

If you're doing a shutdown, then what's the big deal? Plan ahead to minimize the downtime and swap the whole panel out.

There is, IMHO, no way of doing this safely without a shutdown. The currents involved at any voltage will make trying to manipulate those feeders hot a very dangerous proposition.

EDIT: To clarify why I am being so harsh, unless there is something really special about those retrofit kits, I see NO WAY to make a swap without having to disconnect the feeders and move them over...thus it must be done with a shutdown if it is to be done safely.

 

From what I understood was that those were just feeding through that panel not actually attached to it. Maybe I'm wrong so hopefully the OP can clarify.

 

Here is the finished product

 

Were the cookies for you? :laughing:

 

I wish haha. They had a conference going on right after I finished. I should of snagged a few for the road.