FPE- Stablok update from the IAEI

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Hey fella's...figured you would like to read this FPE update information....enjoy....well it has been around awhile...lol

http://magazine.iaei.org/magazine/99_c/stablok.htm

Here are some interesting excerts....( man electricians feel vendicated when stuff like this is posted, this is why electricians evaluate panels.....for other latent issues not just because they are FPE )

Direct QUOTES from the IAEI newsletter* ( International Association of Electrical Inspectors )

Why then, are there supposedly authoritative statements being circulated that imply that FPE Stab-lok® circuit breakers and loadcenters are not up to snuff?

There are no authoritative statements. But, around 1981, FPE conducted a major recall of certain industrial circuit breakers. The publicity relating to this recall and the concurrent CPSC investigation of residential circuit breakers could certainly have engendered confusion.

What about the web site1 that alleges that FPE Stab-lok® panels and circuit breakers "are a latent hazard and can fail, leading to electrical fires?"
It’s a free country. Anyone can publish information on a web site whether or not the information is correct. In support of his allegations, this individual cites many of the documents produced for the CPSC investigation which was discontinued in 1983. The CPSC has retained the right to reopen its investigation and has not done so. Further, this individual has never contacted FPE nor has he reported any electrical fires to FPE.

How should we respond to home inspectors who state that FPE Stab-lok®loadcenters and circuit breakers are hazardous and should be replaced.
Unsupported recommendations should be disregarded. However, loadcenters and circuit breakers, whether manufactured by FPE or others, should be evaluated for code compliance, i.e., proper installation, application, and maintenance. Evaluation should be done by a licensed and qualified electrician and/or a qualified electrical inspector. FPE equipment should be treated in exactly the same manner as any other similar equipment.

Notice: Since some people like to start crap.........I just want to make clear these are excerts from the full copyright protected article to which I posted the actual LINK to first.......just wanted to clear that up.....

[Joseph Hagarty]

Paul,

Your posted update is 7 years old....

IAEI News>Issue Listing>May/June 1999 >Federal Pacific Electric Co. Stab-lok® Update

Any more recent developments?

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol.....JOE.....I said it had been around....lol......just found it interesting in regards to the IAEI's stance is all....lol...

ie

Hey fella's...figured you would like to read this FPE update information....enjoy....well it has been around awhile...lol

and no I know of no additional updates so that means that actually and more probably no reports have been logged againsts FPE systems to be deemed unsafe anymore so than Cutler Hammer, Square D and others in the eyes of the IAEI....

Hey...it might be old but I found it interesting as I was just going back over old issues.......

[rcooke]

Originally Posted by jhagarty

Paul,

Your posted update is 7 years old....

IAEI News>Issue Listing>May/June 1999 >Federal Pacific Electric Co. Stab-lok® Update

Any more recent developments?

Still made sold and approved in Canada 50% of all new homes Have FPE panels in them .
Roy Cooke

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol...sorry Joe...that was the name of the article...not ME saying it is an update.....was being kinda funny their...I can see it did not get understood....sorry

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Oh yes...they still make the replacement breakers now and they are every bit as UL approved as the old FPE breakers were.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

hmmm...interesting Roy....I was not aware they still had anyone manufacturing the loadcenters for new construction in regards to the stablok style......hmmm....see I dont know Canada very well at all...down here in the lower 48.....the loadcenters were done back in the middle 80's......they only manufacture the breakers now.

[Andrew Cox]

So, where does that leave a HI who recommends eval by an electrician? If the "official" literature denies a problem, how long before a client gets PO'd and calls us on it? I know everyone says the FPE equipment is questionable at best, but is there backup documentation to support it?

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol...Clarrification..... DONE = no longer make the loadcenters
THEY = the company that purchased the rights to market the stablok style in the replacement market...lol

Have to watch it..someone will in and say now PAUL federal pacific co. no longer is in business...ahhhh...DUH......figured I would stive off those remarks...

[Paul W. Abernathy]

DAMN.....now I opened a can of WORMS on that one.....Greg...care to JUMP in...lol

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Andrew,

Actually for years I have said EVALUATE them the same way you would any electrical panel...I do not like blanket statements personally....

The online symantics that started the FPE thing was more so to blame of the groups that do the training like ITA and other training venues that took the online information as the authority and honestly do not have any REAL experts on the board of directors making the choices........and then it probably steam rolled from their....

Usually the issue is they are undersized anyway....so that has ya covered their.......and to be honest with you I have had many issues with Cutler Hammer and Square D heating up and melting down....so it becomes an interesting arguement.....would you say...

I am most certainly NOT the person to MAKE a new direction in the industry...lol.....but I found it quite interesting of an article to say the least...

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by acox

So, where does that leave a HI who recommends eval by an electrician? If the "official" literature denies a problem, how long before a client gets PO'd and calls us on it? I know everyone says the FPE equipment is questionable at best, but is there backup documentation to support it?

well...hmmm......I guess the people who post things online of pictures of melted down breakers and so can confirm it.....plus I am one of the guys who things breakers 30 years old should be replaced anyway...lol....yeah I am old fashion......

problem is as the article says..ANYONE can post their opinion online I guess.....but when the final documents came out they said it was not a safety concern.....because while even if they did have a problem with tripping...it would most certainly do so in order to protect the conductors....and we know that is the primary function of the OCPD anyway...

so it is quite interesting and I would love greg, speedy and Joe T take on it......

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I only posted this because I found it interesting.......I will assume the IAEI is refering to this website- http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpefire.htm

Now......I guess It come down to who do you believe......and are they isolated situations...

heck if I know....I know Electrical Issues, I know the NEC and CODE....but I am in NO way in a position to write the book on FPE....lol....

I did not post it because it forms MY opinion...I posted because I figured it would stir a good conversation....lol...nothing more.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Hey ROY...here is some recall info for ya....you probably already have it..

http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/schneider.htm

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

It should be noted that this article was published by a representative from FPE.