The Danger of Federal Pacific "Stab-Lok" Electrical Panels.

[JP]

The Danger of Federal Pacific "Stab-Lok" Electrical Panels.

These electrical panels, where used by builders in the 1960s and 1970s, are considered unsafe. The problem is that the breakers often will not trip when they should. That can lead to overheating and fires.

These circuit breakers have a failure rate of approximately 25 percent.

I have personally seen Federal Pacific breakers not trip when a direct short is placed on a cable and held there, it’s sort of like arc welding.

You can identify them by the Federal Pacific and Stab-Lok branding on the panel cover.

If you have this panel in your home you are taking a big risk! Your next home improvement project should be to have the panel replaced.


Picture of Federal Pacific panel.

[Benny]

I have one of these panels in the house I'm about to move in to...

http://www.bennyvision.com/albums/2006_ANDRAS_HOUSE_ELECTRICAL_REMODEL/2006_12_16/small/2006_12_16_Federal_Pacific_panel_breakers_lining_up-small.jpg
http://www.bennyvision.com/albums/2006_ANDRAS_HOUSE_ELECTRICAL_REMODEL/2006_12_16/small/2006_12_16_Federal_Pacific_panel_inside_1-small.jpg
http://www.bennyvision.com/albums/2006_ANDRAS_HOUSE_ELECTRICAL_REMODEL/2006_12_16/small/2006_12_16_Federal_Pacific_panel_inside_2-small.jpg
http://www.bennyvision.com/albums/2006_ANDRAS_HOUSE_ELECTRICAL_REMODEL/2006_09_22/small/2006_09_22_Federal_Pacific_panel_1-small.jpg
http://www.bennyvision.com/albums/2006_ANDRAS_HOUSE_ELECTRICAL_REMODEL/2006_09_22/small/2006_09_22_Federal_Pacific_panel_2-small.jpg
http://www.bennyvision.com/albums/2006_ANDRAS_HOUSE_ELECTRICAL_REMODEL/2006_09_22/small/2006_09_22_Federal_Pacific_panel_3-small.jpg

Lucky me.   

[JP]

If I were you I’d have it replaced as soon as you are able to. It’s going to be a hard one because it is recessed in the wall. Good Luck!

[Benny]

Actually, the "in wall" part isn't that bad.  It's a basement wall, so I can just pry off the paneling to get to it.

This is definately a fixer-upper, but that's going to be the first project.  If you visit my website and check out the other
images I didn't link to, you can see a BUNCH of horrifying electrical stuff going on.  It's the stuff of nightmares, let me
assure you.

I have not decided yet if I'm going to contract it out or do it myself - I'm very comfortable with basic branch circuit
residential, but I'm a little more uneasy about replacing the main by myself.  Any advice on what a panel replacement
might run, ballpark?  I'm guessing about $1000, but that's just it, a guess.

Also, any recommendations on brand?  I guess I'd lean towards Square D, just because that's what I've always dealt
with, but if there's a better brand out there for reliability/safety, I'd like to hear about it.

[JP]

How much it costs varies depending what needs to be replaced and the area in which you live. How dose the outside stuff look? Is the power coming in overhead or underground? Is your existing service cable a 200 amp cable, and is it in good shape? The ones we do usually cost between $600 and $2000 for a home service.

You can save a lot of cash by buying your own panel and breakers, and even other supplies.

Square D is a good panel, if you have extra money look into the new arc fault breakers they give you the best protection. I’m not sure how much they cost, but I would think they are double if not triple of what a normal breaker would cost.

[Benny]

As far as I can tell, the service looks fine.  Once I get relocated, I'm going to have the electric co-op send someone out
to take a look at their stuff.  It's an overhead feed, BTW.

Not so sure about the feed from the meter can...  But, that's only about 10-12 feet, so if that needs to be replaced, it
shouldn't be too terrible.  It appears to be in good shape, but I am not sure if it's sized right.

I've done a lot of looking, and most arc fault breakers seem to run in the $30 range each, retail.  Ouch.  I'll have to look
at electrical suppliers, too...  Money is the only thing holding up this project, really...  I've known for a year it has to be
done, I just need the money to do it.

If I do buy the hardware and hire it out, I'll need:

1) panel
2) breakers

What else would be required for a full panel replacement?  I have assorted j-boxes etc for the branches that aren't long
enough, but what else might be needed?  The neutral/ground bus comes with a new panel, yes?

[JP]

Read this page I have a list of most of the basic supplies.

http://www.wireityourself.com/electrical_service.html