Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok panels were common in American homes for decades. Testing found that many of their breakers did not meet the UL standard for tripping during an overload. The CPSC closed its review without ruling them safe. Most electricians recommend replacing an FPE panel rather than repairing it.
What a Federal Pacific panel is
Federal Pacific Electric was a large maker of breaker panels. Its most familiar line was called Stab-Lok, named for the way the breakers push onto the panel. These panels went into a great many homes built in the decades after World War II, including homes across the West Valley.
A breaker has one main job. When a circuit draws more power than its wires can safely carry, the breaker trips and cuts the power. That protects the wires from overheating. The concern with Stab-Lok breakers is that some may not trip when they should.
What the government found
In 1980, the parent company of FPE told the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that many FPE breakers did not fully meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requirements. CPSC testing confirmed that the breakers failed certain UL calibration tests. Those tests check that a breaker carries its rated load and trips in time during an overload.
In 1983 the CPSC closed its investigation. It said the data available did not establish a serious risk. In 2011 the agency added a note to that release. It said the Commission closed the matter without deciding whether the breakers are safe, and it asked homeowners and electricians to read the release carefully.
So the honest summary is this. The breakers failed tests that matter, and no agency has ever cleared them. That is why many electricians and home inspectors flag these panels.
How to tell if you have one
You can usually check without touching anything inside the panel. Open the outer door only, the way you would to reset a breaker, and look for these signs.
The words Federal Pacific, FPE or Federal Pioneer on the door or the label inside it
The word Stab-Lok printed on the label
Breakers with a red or orange stripe or tab on the handle
Breakers in a thin, rounded style that looks different from newer panels
Signs that call for attention now
Some signs mean the panel should be looked at soon, whatever brand it is.
A panel door or cover that feels warm to the touch
A burning smell, buzzing or crackling at the panel
Scorch marks or melted plastic around a breaker
A breaker that will not stay on, or one that feels loose
Lights that dim or flicker when a large appliance starts
Replace or repair?
Most electricians recommend replacing the whole panel rather than swapping breakers. Replacement breakers for these panels are hard to find, and new ones made to fit the old design do not fix questions about how the panel itself was built.
A new panel also solves other problems older homes tend to have. It gives you room for more circuits, it can be sized for central AC, a spa or an EV charger, and it brings the service up to current code. A panel replacement requires a permit and an inspection.
Some home insurers and buyers’ inspectors also ask about these panels. If you are selling, refinancing or changing insurance, it helps to know what you have before someone else points it out.
What to do next
Do not remove the inner cover or try to test breakers yourself. The parts behind that cover stay live even with the main breaker off.
Call us at (602) 999-2770 and a real person answers. Tell us what the label says and what you have noticed. We will tell you plainly whether it needs to be looked at, and you will hear the price before anyone drives out. Our work carries a two-year warranty on labor and material, and we are licensed under AZ ROC #341966.
A hot panel, a burning smell or smoke is not a wait-and-see problem. If you see smoke or fire, get out and call 911.
Common questions
Was there a recall on Federal Pacific panels?
No. The CPSC closed its investigation in 1983 without a recall, and in 2011 it clarified that it never made a finding that the breakers are safe.
Can I just replace the old breakers?
Most electricians advise against it. Replacing the full panel is the more reliable fix and lets the panel be sized for what your home uses today.
Is it safe to keep using my FPE panel until it is replaced?
If there is no heat, smell, buzzing or damage, you can usually keep using it normally while you plan. If you notice any of those signs, call an electrician right away.
