. If you live in an older home, you may want to double check your panel. Due to the increased electrical load on modern homes and devices, Zinsco panels are likely to suffer overload and subsequent melting. If your home relies on a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel, it’s time to replace them.

Should I replace a Federal Pacific panel?

The bottom line is that Federal Pacific breaker panels should almost always be replaced. The risk from having circuit breakers in your home that don’t do their important job of preventing fire and overload is too great.

Is there a replacement for Federal Pacific breakers?





From Federal Pacific to Stab Lok.

Today, FPE circuit breakers have been replaced by Stab Lok circuit breakers which a constructed using a special design that results in a much lighter and smaller breaker.

Should I replace an old electrical panel?

Your Electrical Panel Is More Than 25 Years Old

Even if your home’s electrical panel shows no signs of wear and tear, homes today have more electrical needs than in years past, so even if your panel doesn’t need to be replaced, it may need to be updated.

Are Federal Pioneer panels safe?





The Federal Pioneer panel is the Canadian equivalent of the Federal Pacific panel, complete with fire hazards. An inspection of Federal Pioneer panels in 2017 showed that 38% of those tested failed to trip when there was intense electrical activity. That’s a 38% chance of an electrical-based fire. We hate those odds.

Are Federal Pacific panels bad?

Investigations indicate that Federal Pacific Electrical (FPE) panels contain defective circuit breakers that create a substantial risk of fires. Some estimates indicate that these dangerous electrical panels cause around 2,800 fires and more than one dozen deaths each year.

Are Federal Pacific panels recalled?

Despite this information and the number of electricians and home inspectors who warn against this equipment, FPE Stab-Lok panels were never officially recalled. Millions of homes were built with FPE Stab-Lok panels between 1950 and 1990.

How much does it cost to replace a Federal Pacific electrical panel?

$1,500 to $4,000



The cost to replace a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel ranges from $1,500 to $4,000. Since these are older systems, this includes some upgrades to wiring. If you have one, you’ll want to call a pro as soon as possible to upgrade.

Can you still buy Federal Pacific breakers?

While Federal Pacific Electric has been out of business for many years, Federal Pacific panels and breakers are still in millions of homes around the country.

Will insurance cover Federal Pacific panels?

If you’re wondering, “Will a Federal Pacific panel pass inspection?” the answer is no. Electrical fires are one of the top causes for residential fires, and cause an estimated 500 deaths and $1.3 billion in property damage each year. This isn’t a risk that most insurance companies want to take on.

What is wrong with Federal Pacific electrical panel?



Federal Pacific Electric “Stab-Lok” service panels and breakers are dangerous and can fail, leading to electrical fires. The problem is that some 240-Volt FPE circuit breakers and possibly also some 120-Volt units simply may not work.

When were Federal Pacific panels recall?

Federal Pacific and Zinsco Electrical Panel Replacement Service. Federal Pacific and Zinsco are both manufacturers of electrical panels that were recalled in a class action law suit from 2002.

Are Federal Pacific panels outlawed?

Are Federal Pacific Panels Illegal? It’s not illegal to have a Federal Pacific panel in your home. The CPSC never issued a formal recall but rather gave a warning about the problems with the breakers and their risk to property and personal safety.

Are Federal Pacific fuse panels safe?

Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panels



And they were installed in millions of homes. But these panels are extremely unsafe. Why they’re unsafe: FPE electric panels’ circuit breakers fail to trip when they should (when there’s a short circuit or circuit overload).

Who owns Stab-Lok?

The “Stab-Lok” circuit breaker and panel produced by Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) installed in hundreds of thousands of homes in the Bay Area may cause house fires, according decades of documentation and electrical experts interviewed by the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit.

Are Federal Pacific breakers CSA approved?

It’s been known for many decades that FPE Stab-Lok® breakers were a problem. Despite the fact that they are CSA approved, (Canadian Safety Standards), these breakers, when overloaded, have a possibly of not tripping when they were suppose to..