5-Gang Overhead Service Replacement — 4-Unit Building, Silver Lake, CA
Project Snapshot
| Property Type | 4-unit multi-family + 1 house meter (5 meters total) |
| Location | Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA |
| Original Equipment | Blakeman Brothers (Federal Pacific) 5-gang main service; Federal Pacific (FPE) sub-panels in 4 apartments + FPE house panel; Stab-Lok breakers throughout |
| Owner’s Goal | Replace all Federal Pacific equipment to comply with insurance requirements and improve safety/reliability |
| Scope | Install new Siemens 5-gang service; replace 4 apartment sub-panels + 1 house panel; upgrade grounding/bonding |
| Grounding & Bonding | Two ground rods and bond to the main cold-water pipe |
| Agencies | LADWP Service Planning (meter spot & meter set) • LADBS Electrical Inspection (final) |
| Outcome | Passed LADBS inspection and finaled; LADWP installed and energized the new meters |
Background
The building’s original equipment consisted of a Blakeman Brothers (Federal Pacific) 5-gang main service and Federal Pacific sub-panels with Stab-Lok breakers in each apartment and the house panel. The owner opted for a full replacement to satisfy insurance requirements, eliminate nuisance tripping, and improve reliability and safety for tenants.
Challenges We Solved
- Tight service alcove with overhead conductors and limited working clearances.
- Single outage window affecting all four units plus house loads.
- Agency coordination requiring LADWP meter spot approval and timely LADBS inspection to restore power quickly.
Our Plan
A) Site Walk & Sizing
- Surveyed service location, clearances, and conductor paths; verified new meter stack placement and labeling for 4 units + house.
B) Utility & Permits
- Coordinated with LADWP Service Planning to obtain the official meter spot.
- Pulled the LADBS electrical permit and aligned inspection with the cut-over day.
C) Owner/Tenant Communication
- Provided advance notices for the outage window; sequenced work to bring circuits back online promptly after energization.
Installation — What We Built
Primary Service (5-Gang Overhead)
- Installed a Siemens 5-gang meter stack / meter-main, set plumb and weather-tight, permanently labeled for 4 apartments + house.
- Replaced service raceways and conductors; all terminations torqued to manufacturer specifications (torque-marked).
Grounding & Bonding
- Installed two 8-ft ground rods with listed clamps and a continuous grounding electrode conductor.
- Completed cold-water bond at the main copper water line (with bonding jumpers as applicable).
Sub-Panels (4 Units + House Panel)
- Removed all Federal Pacific sub-panels and installed new Siemens load centers sized for each unit and house loads.
- Separated neutrals/grounds, installed new breakers, torque-sealed terminations, and added clear circuit directories.
Inspection & Energization
- LADBS inspection: passed and project finaled.
- LADWP field crew set the new meters and restored service.
- Post-energization checks: polarity, voltage, breaker operation, and spot thermal review.
Results & Benefits
- Insurance Compliance Achieved — Documentation provided showing all Federal Pacific service equipment and Stab-Lok panels/breakers were removed and replaced.
- Safety & Reliability — Modern Siemens equipment, corrected grounding/bonding, and clean terminations reduce trip and overheating risks.
- Minimal Disruption — Coordinated outage; tenants notified and restored methodically.
What’s Included in Our Multi-Family Service Upgrades
- Utility coordination (LADWP meter spot and scheduling for meter set)
- Permit pulling and LADBS inspection management
- Siemens service equipment and sub-panels
- Grounding electrode system & water-pipe bonding
- Permanent directories/labels for each unit and house loads
- Close-out packet for insurance and property records
Ready to Replace Federal Pacific Equipment?
Need Federal Pacific panels and Stab-Lok breakers removed to satisfy insurance?
