Electrical Panel Problems!

From the 1950s to the 1980s, many Federal Pacific/Stab-Lok panels were installed in homes.

These panels/breakers are now considered a safety hazard by modern standards. FPE breakers do not comply with any recent National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements.

Many Federal Pacific Electrical Panels have been tested and found to have high failure rates, with nearly a third showing some type of potentially hazardous breaker malfunction or running the risk of electrical fire.

Failure can mean that when a surge or other power issue such as a short circuit occurs, the breaker(s) do not trip properly. This can result in wires overheating, creating a fire hazard. Burn or scorch marks on the panel box or loose breaker switches are indications that you may have a faulty panel.

There are a few other reasons why you should replace Federal Pacific/Stab-Lok Panels with one that meets modern safety standards in your area.

1. No ground wire to prevent power surges from overloading the breakers.

2. Breakers may not trip correctly when moisture is detected near an outlet, causing the circuit to overload and potentially catch fire.

3. Federal Pacific panel breaker malfunctions are the cause of an estimated 2,800 fires each year.

4. Most insurance companies will not cover a home or property with Federal Pacific/Stab-Lok breaker panel installed.

5. Peace of Mind!

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[jeremymaas]

Thanks for taking the time to create this video, I'm an electrician and have shown your video to probably a dozen homeowners during troubleshooting calls, and your video has convinced many of them that it needs to be replaced and they don't have to just take my word for it. Too bad that your view counter only counted the first view on my phone, and it doesn't increase, but thank you sir!

[davidperry]

When I did site visits as an engineer, FPE panels scare me. If I were a licensed PE and the client is too much of a cheapass to replace them with a new panel, I would have them sign a waiver showing that I am not responsible for any electrical fires and/or denied insurance claims as a result of retaining that existing panel that has been recalled decades ago for fires.

[lyonnightroad]

"I make a bunch of money from foolish home inspectors that have no experience in building or electrical. They read a book and think they know everything, and because they have some persuasion over homebuyers, they feel all powerful...

They always write up the FPE panels to change out on home inspections. I try to tell the homeowners the breakers work, even go as far as to show them. I had one that already had every breaker replaced to the new ones. The home inspector wrote it up as unsafe. When I asked him to back up his statements, he pointed to a home inspection book.

I just give up and up and take their money..."

[lyonnightroad]

There are two kinds of FPE breakers: thicks are fine, the thins are dangerous, I know this is too much nuance for an inspector. you've got some thins on the bottom that can be replaced with etl rated connecticut breakers at $22 a pop. But I know there is no incentive for you not to lie to your consumer and convince them this is a $4000 problem, makes them so happy when you find the chicken little stuff.