Do You Have a Federal Pacific Panel? Here’s Everything You Need to Know!

Circuit breakers or breaker panels are a crucial part of your electrical system. They act as a safety mechanism by automatically shutting off power to a circuit when it detects an overload or short circuit, preventing potential fires. However, not all circuit breakers are made equally and may not always function properly. For instance, older breaker panels manufactured by Federal Pacific Electric (FPE), particularly their Stab-Lok circuit breakers, have been known to malfunction and may not always trip properly, posing a safety risk. 

FPE panels were widely used in homes built before the 1980s but cannot be installed in new homes today. They are considered safety hazards as they don’t meet modern safety standards, such as the National Electric Codes (NEC) requirements.

In this blog, we will guide you on how to know if your home has a FPE electrical panel and explain why these panels are considered a significant safety concern.

Identifying a Federal Pacific Electric Circuit Breaker in Your Home

FPE panels may not always function properly, posing a fire risk, so make sure you don't have one in your home. Here is how you can identify if your breaker panel is an FPE panel or not.

• Labeling: Look for labels that say "Federal Pacific," "Stab-Lok," "FPE Stab-Lok," or "Federal Pioneer" on the panel or circuit breakers. 
• Color coding: FPE breakers often have a distinctive red or orange faceplate. 
• Logo: Check for the logo of the Federal Pacific Electric Company on the panel cover. 

If your home was built before the 1990s, there is a high chance that you may have an FPE panel with Stab-Lok circuit breakers. If you have FPE circuit breakers or any other older panels, make sure to consult a licensed electrician for breaker panel replacement. 

You might wonder why Federal Pacific Electric panels are considered safety hazards and why you need to replace them. In the following section, we will overview some of the potential reasons that make these panels unreliable and unsafe for modern electrical systems.

The Hazards of Federal Pacific Electric Circuit Breakers

The primary function of circuit breakers is to protect against electrical overloads and ensure a safe electrical supply to your home. However, research data demonstrating the failure rates of FPE circuit breakers, show that they may not trip properly in case of an overload, potentially leading to overheating of wires and fire risks.

In 1980, after Reliance Electric (who had purchased FPE) reported that many FPE circuit breakers didn't comply with UL requirements. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) then investigated the case and found some FPE Stab-Lok breakers failed UL tests, but couldn't link these failures to a hazardous situation.

The CPSC investigation concluded in 1983 with no determination of safety or accuracy of the manufacturer's position, citing limited budget and the high cost of further investigation. While there's no federal mandate to replace FPE panels, experts and home inspectors commonly recommend it due to potential safety hazards. 

That means FPE panels can be dangerous to have in your home, but you may wonder why they are so hazardous. Well, Experts warn that FPE circuit breakers may have the following major faults that make them a major safety concern:

Not Comply With Modern Safety Codes

While Federal Pacific Electric circuit breakers may have been considered safe when they were first manufactured, due to advancements in electrical safety standards, they are now considered unsafe by experts. The major safety concerns related to these breaker panels include the potential for overcrowded wiring, spring-mounted bus bars, breakers that may still be active when seemingly "off," and outdated design of split-bus breakers.

Design and Manufacturing Flaws

Federal Pacific Electric panels are considered to have significant design and manufacturing flaws that affect their performance. Some of the issues with the breakers include:

• Loose connections between the breakers and the bus bars.
• A tendency for breakers to not trip properly when overloaded.
• Breakers can get jammed within their sockets, causing overcrowding within the panel and potentially preventing them from tripping when needed. 
• Potential for breakers to unexpectedly trip when the cover is removed.
• The materials used to construct the FPE circuit breakers are often considered weak.

The manufacturing defects in FPE panels can pose significant electrical hazards, potentially leading to overheating and fires. Therefore, replacing them with modern, compliant service panels is strongly recommended. Many insurance companies will not cover homes with FPE panels due to the increased risk of electrical incidents, that’s another reason you must replace your old breaker panel. 

Replace Your Federal Pacific Electric Circuit Breaker with Randy’s Electric  

Working with outdated electrical panels, like FPE panels, can be dangerous and requires expertise to handle safely and according to code. That’s why you should have a licensed and knowledgeable electrician like Randy’s Electric to replace FPE or other old circuit breakers in your home. Our skilled and certified electricians will ensure your breaker panel is replaced safely with a modern, compliant electrical panel.

Randy’s Electric ensures that every work in your home is done according to the highest standard of safety and quality. Whether you require a home electrical inspection or breaker panel replacement in the Twin Cities, count on us for all your electrical needs.

‍FAQs

How much does it cost to replace an FPE panel?

Replacing an FPE panel typically costs between $1,500 and $4,000 on average. The exact cost can vary depending on factors like the panel's amperage, location, and the complexity of the job involved. You can call a residential electrician to get an exact estimate for your FPE panel replacement. 

‍What breaker will replace a Federal Pacific Electric circuit breaker?

A UL-listed circuit breaker, a circuit breaker that has been evaluated and certified by UL Solutions, can replace an FPE circuit breaker. Contact a certified electrician in Minneapolis–Saint Paul for safe and reliable circuit breaker replacement service.

‍Will a Federal Pacific Electric panel pass an electrical inspection?

No, a Federal Pacific Electric panel will not pass an electrical inspection, as most inspectors will flag it as a major safety hazard. Moreover, these electrical panels do not comply with National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements and should be replaced with safe, compliant options. It is recommended to replace outdated panels with new, safer options.