What steps should be taken to minimize risk with these panels connected to a 200A service?
Asked by Cody Soto 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 14, 2024
How serious are these panels? What’s the best way to lower any potential risks? I noticed there’s a 200A service connected to them.
Replacing the panels is recommended as they pose a fire hazard.
Consider replacing it with a new 200 amp panel. You will need a permit, inspection, and utilities drop for this upgrade.
Lucas resham making that money$$$$$
Remember, the golden rule is: if it’s working fine, it’s best to leave it be or replace it when it’s not in use
The issue is that federal panels do not “function” properly.
Incorrect response for FPE panels. You may not realize they are not functioning properly until a breaker needs to trip, but fails to do so. Your home catching fire should not be the first sign of a problem. Federal Pacific has a well-deserved negative reputation. Replace this immediately.
Rzesiek Jaros they do though. Take some time to research FPE before making uninformed remarks. FPE was flagged because they released a large number of breakers that lost their UL listing. However, you can find online which batches are reliable and which ones failed, so perhaps you should try to educate yourself to avoid looking uninformed in front of your peers.
Perhaps you should consider doing some research. Federal Pacific was caught lying about their compliance with UL standards. They lost their UL listing over time but continued to claim they were “UL Listed” on the packaging and kept producing breakers that had a failure rate of up to 60% for many years. They never had batches of reliable breakers.
Yeah, the black handle red lable are the problematic ones. I’m already aware of this. Thanks, boss man.
Oh, and by the way, in Canada, FP was actually used until… I think 8 or 9 years back? They were still being installed new until production ceased
Isn’t it ironic?
You go tell him!!!
Appreciate you validating what I said
And they destroy houses, what a fool
You know, some people claim and others just guess, but those aren’t necessarily facts, just opinions
Who is anyway? I’m not claiming that all of these products are completely safe and effective, but blaming them for all the fires is like saying you can’t use water to drive ground rods or you can’t connect 10s to a 50 amp AC.
Is always on top of the latest facts and information. He constantly updates and documents everything for our clients. All good!
I always swap them out whenever I can, lol.
Is doing well in his business, haha!
Hey, have you checked on that Federal Pacific breaker box in your place? It’s really important to replace it as soon as possible.
I touched it, you’re done for ☠️💀☠️💀☠️💀☠️💀
Change it out. It’s already at 200 amps. Doesn’t necessarily require a utility drop. If anything, consider running a line from the meter
Known for causing fires! Perfect way to get insurance money for a new home after the current one burns down because the breakers fail to trip… Haha
Equipment that can potentially cause fires.
Um, well, it’s quite surprising that the building is still standing there. But then again, those Federal Pacific panels are known to be hazardous.
You can definitely find aftermarket Zinsco breakers. I don’t think there’s an aftermarket option for Federal breakers, they’re just not great.
Here in Canada, there are replacement FPE Stab-lok breakers available that are still being produced to this day by Schneider Electric, which has owned Federal Pioneer Electric since the 1990s. Federal Pacific Electric rebranded as Federal Pioneer Electric in the 1970s here in Canada. I have noticed that in Ontario, most electricians still believe that FPE Stab-lok panels are reliable and refuse to replace them. However, I am aware that the FPE Stab-lok panels and breakers have problems, such as breakers coming loose from the busbar, breakers failing to trip during short circuits, or sometimes failing to trip at all during an overcurrent condition, including the newer FPE Stab-lok panels and breakers from the early 2000s based on what I have heard.
It’s time for a change. Those are dangerous for starting fires
Insurance companies often refuse coverage for homes with Federal Pacific Electric panels. It’s best to get them replaced.
Definitely time to replace that super old Federal Pacific panel! You might want to consider upgrading your service as well.
You have the ability to weld using 15 amp branch circuits connected to that panel.
You really should consider upgrading to a 200 amp panel from the old 100 amp FP panel. It might be working fine now, but you’re taking a big risk by not making the switch.
Although there are rumors of it being a fire hazard, a thorough inspection, connection check, and breaker replacement can make it a reliable panel.
Please make the change immediately!
I am in the process of replacing 10 of these panels in an apartment building. The insurance company strongly advised to replace them as soon as possible or else they would terminate the policy. Additionally, other insurance companies declined to provide coverage for the building with those panels in place. It seems like insurance companies are actively seeking reasons to discontinue policies.
Absolutely sad, federal
Erase picture… move on.
Increase the modification to demolish
The film crew working on the Puerto Rico house used this outdated panel and it needs to be replaced with a new one to comply with the NFPA 70 code.
Et rid of the Stab-loc, it’s time!
Make sure to have 911 on speed dial, and everything should be okay.
JUST AND ONLY: Make sure to have 911 on speed dial, and everything should be okay.
Okay, I’ve decided I’m going to change it out. 😂 It seems like the most reasonable thing to do. Thank you to everyone for your advice.
Oogle is much more efficient and there’s no need to wait for approval to answer a question. You could have solved this days ago when you took the photo and had an electrician replace that dangerous situation.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, buddy. I’ve come across mixed messages about these panels, so I’m gathering different perspectives.
Let’s cut through the noise – those panels are problematic. Anyone suggesting otherwise is just plain wrong. No room for conflicting opinions here.
Listen, there’s no way around it. As the homeowner, you’ll run into issues if you ignore this. My hands are tied due to liability concerns, so don’t cheap out – invest in a new sub-panel with the right OCP for the wire gauge.
LH hey, so this independent home inspector I hired actually said it didn’t need immediate replacement. I know, hard to believe right? That’s why I’m double-checking here.
Interesting observation. I’ve experienced other brands not tripping as well 🤔
Most home inspectors just complete a 3-hour online course and lack real knowledge.
Remember, those who can’t physically do the job end up as home inspectors or working at Home Depot.
Make a change and it will cost you, but it won’t affect your home.
Arbage
There’s no way that panel has a 200-amp capacity; it’s clearly a 100-amp panel. It makes no sense to upgrade the capacity and leave that panel in place. Absolutely ridiculous!
It’s highly advisable to get a replacement. Around 25% of those panels have been linked to house fires. My mom has one of those panels in her garage that has been there for 60 years. Nevertheless, we are planning to replace it soon.
I was changing a light fixture in a house with old bx wiring that looked just like this picture. The outer cloth insulation had crumbled around the hot wire and when it touched the metal grounded box, it sparked a lot right in front of the customer who was watching me work. They assured me the switch was off. I tested the wires with my voltage tester and the breaker never tripped. I even double-checked the panel, all breakers were still on even after such a big spark from hot to ground. I’ve never seen 120 volts spark so intensely on a 15 amp breaker before. Federal Pacific panels are really risky. I always make it a point to let my customers know that I won’t work on a FP panel unless it’s being replaced.
I was at my church fellowship hall yesterday and noticed that it has a Challenger breaker box from the early 90s. I did a bit of research and found out that some Challenger breaker boxes have been recalled. Have you heard anything about this?
The issue is that the box isn’t grounded. Just because it’s made of metal doesn’t mean it’s properly grounded. This is a common occurrence in old houses. I’m pretty sure the switch was turned off. In older homes, the wiring was done in a way where the hot wires ran through most of the fixture boxes, and the electrician would connect the white wire to the switch. It’s a common sight in old houses.
My company refuses to work on them. Homeowners only choice is to replace the panel
Hey ! If you’re interested, click on the link below to apply. We’re looking for applicants who are serious about the opportunity.
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I wouldn’t even think of removing that panel cover without replacing it first. Homeowners tend to take legal action against electricians and contractors for house fires linked to such panels, targeting the most recent contractor who worked on their property.
Feel free to click the link below if you’re interested in applying
*https://wa.me/message/DC75D3CB252SJ1*
We’re specifically looking for applicants who are serious about the opportunity
Dangerous tree branches!!
Hey, if you’re interested, check out the link below to apply. We’re looking for dedicated candidates only.
Panels that can start fires
Hey there, click on the link below if you’re interested in applying. We’re specifically seeking committed applicants.
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Switch it out.
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If it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it!
These have been banned for years. Breakers fail to trip. Recently, I had to swap out two 200 amp federal pacific panels in a property some individuals purchased before the bank would provide a loan.
I don’t think they’ve been outlawed anywhere, but I could be wrong. Can you think of any other panel brand with 60-year-old breakers that still work like they did when they were first installed? Panels with breakers that old should definitely be replaced.
Where exactly are they outlawed?
Despite the negative publicity, there hasn’t been any official recalls or bans that I’m aware of.
Check out https://www.nextgenelectricnj.com/federal-pacific-panel-breakers/
Check out https://www.nextgenelectricnj.com/federal-pacific-panel-breakers/
Banned might be a more appropriate term. Check out https://www.nextgenelectricnj.com/federal-pacific-panel-breakers/
Haha…!
That sales pitch from a contractor’s website is ridiculous. Better luck next time.
The origin of the fire.
Just as problematic as these Zinsco panels
It all comes down to how much you enjoy dealing with house fires
Uh oh no go. If you’re not an electrician, steer clear of those stab lok breakers 😂
I don’t mess with them. I had a suspicion I was seeing something negative. 😂
Is the worst
They have pretty good switches. The effectiveness of the over current protection might be in doubt though. Also, make sure to check the circuit after turning one off; there have been instances where it was still on. The safest bet would probably be to remove the wire.
Upgrading is essential – you can’t place a value on safety or life.
It’s time for a replacement.
Federal Pacific introduced a replacement breaker called American, but despite that, I wouldn’t recommend using the panel. Federal Pacific was found to have falsified their test records, causing the breakers to trip only in cases of extremely high amperage. I once owned a house where I couldn’t replace the panel for free due to being the second owner. I made sure to inform all the neighbors about this issue.
Appreciate it, Fred. I’ll make sure to replace it soon.
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Thankfully, no one is claiming they were recalled anymore.
Because those breakers don’t trip easily. I remember being in a crawl space and not wanting to go back out to turn the breaker off, so I shorted it directly, but it never tripped. The story behind it goes back to the war era when women were taking over men’s jobs and retaliating against wage cuts by sabotaging equipment.
Insurance companies refuse to provide coverage for homes with these types of panels in my neighborhood.