Federal Pacific Electric Panels are a Fire Hazard
you have one of these FPE Stab-Lok circuit breaker panels, our advice is simple.
Get rid of them immediately.
How Dangerous are Federal Pacific Panels?
- Breakers that had never been switched manually failed 25% of the time in the double-pole test and 51% of the time in the single-pole test. They then locked up in a way that would prevent them from tripping at any time in the future.
- Breakers that had been switched manually failed 36% of the time in the double-pole test and 65% of the time in the single-pole test.
When the electrical load was only increased to 100% above rating, there was still a significant failure rate.
- Breakers that had never been switched manually failed 1% of the time in the single-pole test.
- Breakers that had been switched manually failed 1% of the time in the double-pole test and 10% of the time in the single-pole test.
What Do These Test Results Mean?
When a breaker fails to trip, this has two effects.
- The excessive electrical current is probably caused by a short circuit, malfunctioning electrical equipment, or plugging too many devices into the same circuit. The breaker’s job is to shut down dangerous levels current to prevent further damage. If current continues flowing through the system, there is a high risk that equipment could catch fire or you could be electrocuted.
- The breaker itself heats up to hazardous levels due to the high current. This can distort it and prevent it from working properly. In extreme cases, the breaker can cause a fire.
FPE Falsified Safety Tests, But Breakers Never Recalled
Reliance then discovered that FPE had been engaging in some highly questionable practices. One of the things they found was that FPE had developed a sophisticated way to fool UL’s testing processes and get certificates even though the Stab-Lok was not up to standard. They fired many senior FPE executives, sued the previous owners, UV Industries, and stopped production of the Stab-Lok. UL also withdrew certification from the Stab-Lok.
Publically, Reliance admitted in 1980 to a “possible defect” and that the certification process had involved “improper practices”, but continued to insist no recall was necessary.
Other companies continued to make their own versions of both the panels and breakers based on FPE’s defective design well into the 1990s.
What to Do If You Have an FPE Panel in Your Home

On the other hand, don’t be complacent. Just because you haven’t had a problem yet, you can’t afford to ignore it.
As Aronstein puts it: “The presence of a Federal Pacific panel in a home should be classified as a Safety Defect. There is no question but that the Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels should be replaced. There is no practical and safe alternative.”
Electrical expert Douglas Hansen noted: “Federal Pacific panels have at least five design issues that are no longer allowed by code: the gutter space, the wire bending space, spring-mounted bus, breakers that are on when down, and the split bus service equipment.”
So take action today. It’ll take you less than five minutes to check your panel to find out if it is one of the affected models. Most FPE panels can be identified by one or more of the following methods:
- The words Federal Pacific or Federal Pacific on the outside
- The FPE logo on the outside
- The words Federal Pacific Electric Company on a sticker on the inside of the door
- The word Stab-Lok on the breakers
If you see any of these, call us right away, and we’ll help you take care of it.
However, even if you don’t see any of these indicators, it’s still possible that you still have an FPE-style box. Some of the early models didn’t have the FPE name or logo. The sticker may have been replaced. And some aftermarket breakers don’t carry the Stab-Lok name, or may not have the name in a visible place.
Whatever you do, don’t try pulling out your breakers or opening up your circuit breaker panel to hunt for clues. You could easily electrocute yourself and, if you disturb any wiring, you’re likely to increase the fire risk. If you’re in any doubt at all about whether your circuit breaker panel is safe, call us, and we’ll take a look. Our team of experts are trained to recognize all models of FPE panels.
Advice for New Home Buyers
Ensure that your home inspector checks the circuit breaker panel. If you discover an FPE panel, insist that the seller has it replaced before you take possession of the property. Alternatively, budget for a replacement and have the work done before you move in.
Do FPE Panel Owners Have any Legal Recourse?
Sadly, no. Federal Pacific Electric is no longer in business. A class action lawsuit in New Jersey was closed in 2005. There is a company called Federal Pacific which makes electrical equipment, but they’re not related.
How Does Rytec Handle FPE Equipment Replacements?
Before we do anything, we’ll do a full inspection on your panels to verify whether you’re at risk. We’ll give you an honest assessment of what needs to be done to make your property safe and fully code compliant.
If you have an FPE panel, we’ll recommend a full replacement. Some electricians will offer to save you a little money by installing aftermarket replacement breakers instead, but this really isn’t a good idea. The danger is caused by design flaws in both the main unit and the breakers, so replacing the breakers isn’t sufficient. In addition, even if you change the breakers, your panel will still have the FPE logo on it, which will raise all sorts of red flags in any future home inspection.
Replacing the entire panel is a much safer option for many reasons. When we replace the panel, we will also make sure that your new circuit breaker panel is optimized for your actual electrical usage, and we’ll ensure that it’s fully code compliant. This will reduce the risk of future outages as well as reducing the risk of fire.
