Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) circuit breaker panels are at risk for breaker malfunction and fire. If you own a home built between 1950 and 1990, chances are you might have a Federal Pacific circuit breaker. Produced by the Federal Pacific Electric company, these breakers are now considered a safety hazard. A New Jersey court ruled that Federal Pacific Electric fraudulently labeled these faulty breakers as meeting certain safety standards. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission did not issue a product recall due to budget issues. You should replace them with a circuit breaker that meets modern safety standards. Studies have shown that up to one in four Stab-Lok breakers, a known FPE breaker, are defective and run the risk of malfunction or electrical fire. If you find that you have one of these breakers, we can replace them with a new breaker that is up to standards.
How to know if you have a FPE Breaker:
- “Federal Pacific” or “FPE” is written on the front of the panel
- “Stab Lok” breakers are painted red and possibly will have “Stab Lok” written on the front of the panel or inside on the door cover.
- The breakers will have a red stripe across each switch
There are a few different types of panels and configurations that really must be replaced. Many older panels still have a configuration with a unified neutral and ground which also does not meet current code.
If your panel is more than 10 years old or if you regularly have to deal with tripping breakers, give us a call for a free thermal scan.