Federal Pacific Panel
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Oh No!
You have a Federal Pacific Electrical Panel. Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panels have gained notoriety over the years for several safety concerns and issues, which is why they are often considered "bad" and have been the subject of numerous recalls, investigations, and legal actions. The company that made them were shut down in the 90s due to a class action lawsuit!
Whats The Big Deal
The primary concern with FPE panels is that their circuit breakers may not reliably trip when there is an overcurrent or short circuit, which is their fundamental safety function. This means that in the event of an electrical fault, the circuit may not disconnect, potentially leading to electrical fires and other hazards.
Faulty Circuit Breakers
In the 1980s, investigations revealed that FPE conducted fraudulent testing of their circuit breakers, claiming they met safety standards when they did not. This raised significant doubts about the reliability of their products.
Deficient Testing and Certification
Numerous independent tests and studies conducted over the years have shown that FPE circuit breakers had a much higher failure rate than other brands. This unreliability poses a significant safety risk. Besides that, FPE panels installed in homes are often quite old today. As electrical components age, they can become more prone to problems and failures, compounding the inherent safety issues.
High Failure Rates
What Do I Do?
Due to these well-documented safety concerns and the unreliability of FPE electrical panels and circuit breakers, many experts recommend replacing them with modern, safer panels from reputable manufacturers. If you suspect that your home has an FPE electrical panel, Give me a call and we will discuss the best course of action, which often includes replacing the panel to ensure the safety of your home and its occupants.