Federal Pacific Panel

FPE Federal Pacific – Stab-Lok® panels were once a popular choice for builders and homeowners, but the lack of reliability of the breakers are serious safety concern and are now being recalled. So what do you do? Here we answer all the questions you have:

1. Why should I replace my FPE Federal Pacific – Stab-Lok®
2. Do I have to replace the whole panel, or just the breakers?
3. How many homes have these defective FPE Stab-Lok® breakers?
4. What do FPE Federal Pacific – Stab-Lok® breakers look like?
5. How do I know if my Panel is a FPE Federal Pacific – Stab-Lok®?
6. Will a FPE Stab-Lok® pass an inspection?
7. Will a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok® panel affect my insurance?

What is involved in changing out my FPE Stab-Lok® panel?

Here’s why you should replace your Federal Pacific panel.

• Breakers do not function properly when under load
• The age of a FPE Stab-Lok® far exceeds the recommended life span of an electrical panel
• The panel lacks the ability to safely and reliably supply the electrical needs of a modern home
• The replacement components are increasingly difficult to obtain
• Breakers were UL rated using fraudulent testing practices by FPE Stab-Lok® – resulting in the delisting of the UL rating

In 1981 CPSC initiated a specific investigation of FPE’s full-size two-pole Stab-Lok® breakers. The results clearly demonstrated that a significant number failed the UL standard tests, and that some would jam with the contacts closed on individual pole overcurrent conditions. There was no basis for disagreement by FPE/Reliance as to the nature of the defects.

In Canada, Federal Pioneer (Schneider Canada) manufactures Stab-Lok® circuit breakers and panels. A recall was announced (by Schneider and The Ontario New Home Warranty Program) of two of their15-Amp models manufactured between mid-1996 and mid-1997. The announcement states that “In some circumstances these breakers may not trip. … “If the circuit breaker does not perform as intended, there is potential for property damage and/or personal injury.”

 (Source Jesse Aronstein,  Ph.D., P.E. https://inspectapedia.com/fpe/FPE_Stab_Lok_Hazards.php)

So, Should your FPE Federal Pacific – Stab-Lok® breakers be replaced?

The presence of an FPE panel in a home should be classified as a “Safety Defect”. The FPE Stab-Lok® breakers are primary safety devices of questionable operating reliability.

FPE Federal Pacific – Stab-Lok® falsified it’s breaker testing thresholds and it was discovered after Exxon® acquired the company in the 80’s. The safety concern and delisting of CL and UL approval was because the breakers do not trip at the required 135% range. More so, some of them do not trip at all and remain open.

If there is a power surge or fault in the circuit, the breaker’s function is to stop certain electrical sequences that could, if allowed to proceed, lead to fire. If the breaker is defective, fire is more likely to result.

There is no question that the FPE Stab-Lok® panels should be replaced for this reason alone. To further the argument of replacement, most manufacturer recommendations are that a panel be upgraded every 25-30 years. This is to ensure up to date safety features and the panel functions properly with the ever changing electrical needs of a modern home.

How many homes have these defective FPE Stab-Lok® breaker?

We do not know for certain, Federal Pacific Electric Company (FPE) Stab-Lok® breakers were manufactured and installed in millions of homes from the 1950’s to 1980’s. Being almost 40years since the last production these panels should be replaced for a model that is current in safety requirements and has the capacity to properly supply the increasing electrical needs of modern home.