Federal Pacific Electrical Panel

[BreJune]

Does FHA accept the Federal Pacific Electrical Panel?

 

[Dublin ohio]

Whether they accept or not. Point it out. FPE Stab Lok panels are dangerous. The breakers are crap, so are the buss bars just google it. When I was an electrician. We used to say that you could arc weld with an FPE breaker (they many times don't trip, even with a direct short)

 

[sputnam]

Whether they accept or not. Point it out. FPE Stab Lok panels are dangerous. The breakers are crap, so are the buss bars just google it. When I was an electrician. We used to say that you could arc weld with an FPE breaker (they many times don't trip, even with a direct short)

If you decide you need something to do... and are in NC for a while... I need to upgrade the service in this house. The bid I've gotten so far seems outrageous.

 

[Doug Wegener]

I have a stab lok panel on my house. It was built in 1965. Never been a problem.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Google it. You will be "shocked" at what you read about them.

 

[Mile High Trout]

Whether they accept or not. Point it out. FPE Stab Lok panels are dangerous. The breakers are crap, so are the buss bars just google it. When I was an electrician. We used to say that you could arc weld with an FPE breaker (they many times don't trip, even with a direct short)

My 70's home was filled with stab lock point of use plug in items. When my electrician buddy pulled a few of them out they were blackened and had been that close to catching fire. We did a complete home retrim which included every single point of use item switch out. Then we hit the non fpe panel with all new tabs and tightened the boot. When my electrician told me he was going to do a tune up of the box I thought here we go again with the turn signal fluid routine. But it's true. New tabs, tightening the legs, all new equipment interior, really solved a lot of unknown vampire drain and my electric bill went down by half.

When it comes to FPE panels they are dangerous because of the fire hazards associated with aluminum wiring. They can pig tail connect and couple with various insulators and different wires if only the panel has aluminum, it can be certified by an electrician. Still simply better practice to swap out the box. Always take a photo of the FPE sticker, note that in the report; Subject to verification the FPE electrical panel is acceptable for health and safety of home and residents. Disclosed. Disclaimed. Redirected. Problem solved the seller gets an electrical cert or a new box and you get a 1004d order. Easy.

Best for the residents too, there is very real world fire dangers. If you ever get shocked by touching a switch to flip a light on, call that in a similar manner. If you see missing tabs in the panel or tie ins where there is multiple circuits jacked into one tab, or if the panel is missing the interior cover plate, call all of that. Imagine going outside during a breaker switch event in the dark and touching around blindly without a protective interior cover plate, instant death. Electrical is among the easiest to call items.

 

[Sadie]

I think the biggest problem with them is not only do they fail, but they give little warning they are going to fail. They can work for years before melting down so to speak. I had one for about 20 years with no problems and when it was replaced, the electrician said it looked fine. But it might not have been fine the next day. I think the failure rate is not that high, but it is a gamble to keep it. You can disclose and move on or condition for replacement. Your choice. but disclose to CYA.

 

[Dublin ohio]

When it comes to FPE panels they are dangerous because of the fire hazards associated with aluminum wiring.

Aluminum wire is an issue in general when using the smaller gauges. The large gauges are still widely used. But you have to use connectors rated for aluminum wire and treat the connections with a anti oxidizing compound. Aluminum wire is subject to thermal creep. It expands and contracts substantially more than copper. You have to make sure your connections are tight. FPE panel were not the only ones that had a problem with aluminum wire. When aluminum wire came out there were basically no panels that were rated for aluminum wire. They were made with copper connections. Aluminum and copper are not compatible. You could pigtail them and use a compatible connector to connect copper wire to aluminum wire. But with a panel that old, why. They figured that out and newer equipment has dual rated connections. They are labeled co/al or CU/al. It's mostly the breakers with FPE They overheat and sometimes neither the magnetic or thermal work correctly. Then they start to arc. I have seen the plastic cases on FPE breakers disintegrate in my hand. That is what caused to blackening. You could create a dead short on an FPE breaker and the would not trip. Sound like the electrician replaced everything in the non fpe panel except the enclosure. But glad it worked out. I would have replaced everything. But it would have cost me a fraction since I could do it myself

 

[sputnam]

I would have replaced everything. But it would have cost me a fraction since I could do it myself

You want a working vacation to NC? I need to upgrade the service in this house and the quotes I've gotten are brutal.