Federal Pacific(stab-lock) comment?

[crichiii (Christopher Rich III, NJ Lic#24GI00063000)]

Hello Everyone… Does any one have a comment for the Fed Pacific panels. I haven’t seen one in a while and was curious how you all write them up! I always recommend further evaluation by a sparky, but I am curious to see if anyone goes into depth with their comment!

Thanks in advance,
Chris

[jcampbell (Jeffrey Campbell, CMI)]

The panel was manufactured by Federal Pacific Electric Company and employs Stablok breakers and other components that have been alleged to be defective. However, the panel is old and the company is now out of business, and although field reports of defects and dangers were never apparently substantiated by laboratory tests they have been numerous and serious enough for us to recommend either upgrading the panel or seeking a second opinion. Also, you can learn more about this issue from Dan Friedman at www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm.

[mboyett (Michael Boyett, TREC #7290 (Ret) Boerne, TX)]

…

The home is equipped with a Federal Pacific brand electrical panel which have been shown to be problematic. Independent laboratory testing indicates some models of these panels are prone to problems that can lead to failures of the panel, fire hazards, lack of proper protection of circuits and other serious issues. I recommend a careful, detailed analysis of these panels by a licensed electrician to determine if any corrective action is needed.

[jcampbell (Jeffrey Campbell, CMI)]

I don’t want to stir anything up but i was once corrected in that no all Fed Pacific panels are problematic… but rather the Stab-Lok variety… Is that correct anyone? Sparkies?

[mboyett (Michael Boyett, TREC #7290 (Ret) Boerne, TX)]

That’s why I word mine the way I do.

[cmeyer (Charles J. Meyer, 24GI00076200)]

Verbiage was borrowed some time ago from another member (possibly the Pope?)

The home is currently equipped with a Federal Pacific stab-Lok load center which are considered problematic by industry professionals due to their high failure rate. Failure of any component within the electrical system can result in fire and/or electrocution. Recommend evaluation by a licensed electrician.

[jhugenroth (Joe Hugenroth)]

I think they have a bad enough history to justify recommending they be replaced.

[mnahrgang (Mark Nahrgang, C.R.I.)]

There is a Federal Pacific Electric “Stab-Lock” service panel in the house. There are some studies that show that its 220-volt circuit breakers fail to trip in response to an over-current or a short circuit. Since the Consumer Products Safety Commission has not issued a formal product recall, we cannot definitively call these panels defective. We recommend, for your peace of mind, to consult a qualified electrical contractor to get their opinion on this matter. There does not appear to be any current concerns in relation to currently installed panel.

[jpope (Jeffrey Pope, CMI)]

@jcampbell

I don’t want to stir anything up but i was once corrected in that no all Fed Pacific panels are problematic… but rather the Stab-Lok variety… Is that correct anyone? Sparkies?

That is correct.

[roconnor (Robert J. OConnor)]

@jcampbell

I don’t want to stir anything up but i was once corrected in that not all Fed Pacific panels are problematic… but rather the Stab-Lok variety…

See this article … IMO one of the best on the issue written so far.

http://www.codecheck.com/pdf/electrical/240overcurrent/FPE%20Article%20from%20DH%20-%20Nov2003.pdf

[swaskewicz (Steven C. Waskewicz, CMI)]

Nice Article Robert, thanks a bunch. I’ll provide that document with my reports
if/when I come across more of these, as I’ve seen before.