Federal Pacific Electric (FPE, aka Stab-Lok) electric panels have a history of
breakers not tripping when they should.
The Problem
Circuit breakers are supposed to shut off when current reaches levels that could
start a fire or damage equipment. Due to design and/or quality control problems, the
FPE Stab-Lok circuit breakers do not always work reliably. Testing has shown that
roughly 30% of the 2-pole circuit breakers fail to trip when they should. Virtually 100%
of some lots of these breakers are defective.
Fuses served the same safety function before we had circuit breakers. The situation
with the FPE circuit breakers is the same as the old unsafe (but common) practice of
over fusing or putting a penny in the fuse socket behind the fuse itself to deal with the
nuisance of fuses frequently blowing. There isn't an inspector or electrical contractor
(or even a Realtor) who would not agree that these conditions should be corrected
as soon as possible. The difference is that over fusing is easy to see, but there is
usually no visual clue if the breaker is working correctly or not. The homeowner's
perception is that the breakers work fine. There is no way for an electrician to look at
a panel and know if the breakers will trip when they should.
The Solution
Recently some companies have started making replacement breakers for FPE
panels. In most cases these are manufactured with the same problematic design of
the original, and there is no data that they are more reliable. Also, replacing the
breakers does not address problems with the buss bars in FPE panels that are not
as well documented as the circuit breaker problem. The only solution that addresses
all of these problems is to replace the entire panel.
breakers not tripping when they should.
The Problem
Circuit breakers are supposed to shut off when current reaches levels that could
start a fire or damage equipment. Due to design and/or quality control problems, the
FPE Stab-Lok circuit breakers do not always work reliably. Testing has shown that
roughly 30% of the 2-pole circuit breakers fail to trip when they should. Virtually 100%
of some lots of these breakers are defective.
Fuses served the same safety function before we had circuit breakers. The situation
with the FPE circuit breakers is the same as the old unsafe (but common) practice of
over fusing or putting a penny in the fuse socket behind the fuse itself to deal with the
nuisance of fuses frequently blowing. There isn't an inspector or electrical contractor
(or even a Realtor) who would not agree that these conditions should be corrected
as soon as possible. The difference is that over fusing is easy to see, but there is
usually no visual clue if the breaker is working correctly or not. The homeowner's
perception is that the breakers work fine. There is no way for an electrician to look at
a panel and know if the breakers will trip when they should.
The Solution
Recently some companies have started making replacement breakers for FPE
panels. In most cases these are manufactured with the same problematic design of
the original, and there is no data that they are more reliable. Also, replacing the
breakers does not address problems with the buss bars in FPE panels that are not
as well documented as the circuit breaker problem. The only solution that addresses
all of these problems is to replace the entire panel.
Remember, for your family's protection, to ask the electrical company before you hire them to show you their state contracting license, their
individual electrical license and weather or not the company has liability insurance.
individual electrical license and weather or not the company has liability insurance.
| FPE Panels and FPE Stab-Lok Information |
If you feel like your current FPE panel or any other type of
panel and service loop is unsafe, please give us a call.
Guaranteed Electrical Services has the experience and
knowledge to make the changes go as smoothly as possible,
giving you the peace of mind knowing the repairs or
upgrades were done right and completely up to code. All of
our panel and service upgrades are warranted for 60
months.
panel and service loop is unsafe, please give us a call.
Guaranteed Electrical Services has the experience and
knowledge to make the changes go as smoothly as possible,
giving you the peace of mind knowing the repairs or
upgrades were done right and completely up to code. All of
our panel and service upgrades are warranted for 60
months.
The information presented in this page
can be found at the links listed below:
can be found at the links listed below:
| Putting Faith Based Honesty and Integrity Back Into Service |
…”Set an example of good works yourself, with integrity and dignity” - Titus 2:7
| TECL# 24943 |
| Christian Electricians Local Electrical Service & Repair |
