Residential Electrical Safety Advisory - Hazardous Federal Pacific Stab-lok Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) testing of the Federal Pacific Electric Stab-lok type (FPE Stab-lok) residential circuit breakers has determined that they pose a fire hazard. These hazardous circuit breakers and electrical panels are found in millions of homes today. Although FPE has not made these breakers since 1986, American Circuit Breaker Corporation continues to sell them today.
What exactly is the hazard? The problem is that breakers do not trip when they should. Circuit breakers are designed to “trip” when current reaches a dangerous level that could start a fire or damage equipment. Testing has shown that approximately 30% of the FPE 2-pole circuit breakers failed to trip when required. The unknowing homeowner has no indication that they are subjecting themselves to the potential devastation that an electrical fire can cause.
To rectify the problem the entire electrical panel must be replaced by a qualified electrician. Homeowners need to inspect their electrical panel for the “Stab-Lok” or “Federal Pacific” on the exterior panel or on the inside of the hinged, electric panel door.
Please call us at 919-772-2282 for assistance in determining if these circuit breakers and electrical panels are present in your home. FPE Stab-lok Electrical Panels and circuit breakers were manufactured from the 1950’s to the mid 1980’s - homes built during that time period should be inspected.