Federal Pacific Panels, specifically those equipped with Stab-Lok circuit breakers, have been identified as significant fire hazards. These panels were widely installed in homes across the United States from the 1950s through the 1980s. Due to their high failure rates in tripping under overload conditions, they pose serious safety risks.
At Three Crowns Electric, we’re no strangers to swapping out dangerous panels for safety. In this blog, we will quickly explain why you need to replace your panel if you use a Federal Pacific model.
Federal Pacific Panels are dangerous primarily due to their high failure rates when tripping electrical circuits are overloaded. This failure can result in overheating, which poses a significant fire risk. Some studies have shown that FPE breakers fail to trip in over half of the overload tests.
The consequences of these failures are severe. When a breaker fails to trip, excessive electrical current can flow through the circuit, causing wires to overheat. This overheating can melt the insulation around the wires and ignite surrounding materials.
Despite these dangers, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) never issued a comprehensive recall, primarily due to budget constraints and insufficient data during the initial investigation in the 1980s. However, later studies, including those published by the IEEE, confirmed the fire hazards associated with FPE Stab-Lok panels and called for increased caution among homeowners.
Identifying whether your home has a Federal Pacific Panel is straightforward but crucial for ensuring safety. Here are some key indicators to look for:
For safety, it is highly recommended to have a licensed electrician conduct a thorough inspection of your electrical panel if you suspect it might be a Federal Pacific model. Messing with electrical panels without proper knowledge can be extremely dangerous.
Replacing a Federal Pacific Panel involves several critical steps, and a qualified electrician should always do it. Here’s what the process generally involves:
Federal Pacific Panels pose a significant risk due to their high failure rates in tripping under overload conditions, which can lead to fires. Identifying and replacing these panels will help keep your home safe. If you need your panel replaced, whether it be because it is a Federal Pacific panel, because it is waterlogged, or just to upgrade/relocate it, you can give us a call, and we can help.
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