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We recommend that residential FPE Stab-Lok electrical panels be replaced entirely or the entire panel bus assembly be replaced entirely, regardless of model number or year of manufacture. We recommend against replacing individual FPE Stab-lok circuit breakers. We do not sell circuit breakers nor any other products. For more information see FPE REPLACEMENT PANELS and FPE REPLACEMENT BREAKERS. This page assists in identifying Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok electrical panels and circuit breakers. More FPE information is in the links at page left.

This document describes how to identify Federal Pioneer Stab-Lok Panels in buildings. the "Federal Electric" marking appears on some generations of residential electrical equipment which better known in the U.S. as Federal Pacific Electric or FPE or FPE Stab-Lok.

A visual inspection of Federal Pioneer Electric panels indicates that the design of these components is (or was) essentially identical to the problematic FPE Stab-Lok design. This is information for building inspectors, home buyers, home owners, electricians exploring the background of possible hazards associated with Federal Pacific Electric Stab-lok circuit breakers and service panels.

Also see details about Federal Pioneer electrical panels, found at FEDERAL PIONEER in CANADA.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

A Photo Guide to Federal Pioneer Electrical Equipment

Canadian FPE panels were made and look about the same as Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok Panels, have an identical bus design (not visible without disassembly), but are labeled "Federal Pioneer".

We have received a few field reports of Federal Pioneer electrical panel failures (not nearly as many as in the U.S.) and there has been a limited Federal Pioneer product recall in Canada. Currently we do not know if the Federal Pioneer electrical equipment failure rate or only the reporting rate differs from the Federal Pacific Stab-Lok product marketed in the U.S. However an inspection of the equipment shows that it appears to be substantially the same product as the FPE line, and it has been subject to a product recall.

Readers who own a Federal Pioneer electrical panel should see:

• FEDERAL PIONEER in CANADA (of the FPE Stab-Lok product)
•   What Are Federal Pioneer Panel Concerns?
•   Federal Pioneer Warranty Alert
•   Federal Pioneer Electrical Circuit Breaker Recall
•   Field Reports of Federal Pioneer Problems
•   Other Federal Pioneer Concerns
•   Are Recent Federal Pioneer Stab-Loks Safe?
• FPE Stab-Lok HAZARDS & REPAIRS WEBSITE
• Federal Pacific Electric Panels: Fires Waiting to Happen

Residential Federal Pioneer electrical panels, at least older and pre-recall models, can be expected to have similar hazards and failures as those discussed for FPE Stab-lok equipment.

We have no data concerning the performance of Federal Pioneer industrial or commercial electrical equipment and we have not received failure reports for it. We discuss this concern in detail at Are Recent Federal Pioneer Stab-Loks Safe?

To identify the circuit breaker panels and breakers discussed at the FPE information website you should look for the product name "Federal Pacific Stab Lok" or "Federal Pioneer Stab Lok" on the equipment.

Below we provide a photographic library of various types of Federal Pioneer electrical panel covers and labels which permit a consumer to identify the equipment from its exterior as well as circuit breaker labels and other details.

Since there is risk of dangerous or even fatal electric shock, only an expert such as a licensed electrician, electrical engineer, or home inspector should physically remove the front cover to permit inspection of the panel bus and other interior features.

Photographic Guide to Federal Pioneer Electrical Panels

This is the interior of the Federal Pioneer electrical Panel shown at the top of this page. You can observe the characteristic FPE Stab-Lok circuit breaker connection bus design.

Below are additional Federal Pioneer electrical panel and label photos

The safety of old and more recently-manufactured Federal Pioneer Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers is discussed in detail at Are Recent Federal Pioneer Stab-Loks Safe?

Residential Federal Pioneer electrical panels can be expected to have similar hazards and failures as those discussed for FPE Stab-lok equipment.

We have no data concerning the performance of Federal Pioneer industrial or commercial electrical equipment, such as shown in this photograph, and we have not received failure reports for it.

Our Photo Guides to Identification of Federal Pioneer and Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers Are Presented in the Topics Listed Below

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FPE Stab-Lok HAZARDS & REPAIRS WEBSITE

• Timothy Hemm, Yucala, CA, contributed the photographs of FPE equipment installed in California buildings. Mr. Hemm can be contacted at TimHemm@yahoo.com
• Arlene Puentes, an ASHI home inspector in Kingston, NY, contributed the page top and example photograph of a bank of FPE adjacent electrical panels. Ms. Puentes can be contacted at ap@octoberhome.com
• Jon Bolton, a home inspector, the Inspectigator, FL, contributed the "camouflage" breaker. Mr. Bolton can be contacted at teamattitude@hotmail.com
• Mary DeMuth, a property owner, contributed the Texas Federal Pacific Electric Load Center photos, May 2006.
• Thomas M. Pino, a professional home inspector, contributed photos of the 100A Texas FPE panel used in a condo. www.sweetwaterhomeinspection.com. Mr. Pino can be contacted at sweetinspect@houston.rr.com or at sweetwaterhomeinspection@yahoo.com
• The remaining photographs on this page were made by the web author

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
• Aluminum Wiring Information Website Aluminum Electrical Wiring Hazards and Repairs: in-depth authoritative info, photos, documents including selection of proper vs. ineffective repair methods. E.g.: Ideal 65 "Twister" purple connector fails in field and lab testing with aluminum wire.
• Ampacity of an Electrical Service: How to determine the electrical service size or ampacity entering a building
• Circuit Breaker, a bad one fails to trip failure at aluminum bus-to-circuit breaker connection - field report and photographs
• Electrical System & Wiring Hazard Inspection, Detection, Cause, Remedy, Prevention - Main Electrical Page
• Electrical Panels, How to Inspect in buildings, safety for electrical inspectors, electrical panel, fusing, wiring defects, defective products. Inspection Class Presentation

• The Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electric Panel Hazard Website Safety Information for Consumers.
• 2007 FPE Stab-Lok TECHNICAL REPORT - an updated test report of independent testing (a large 1.2MB PDF file) using a larger pool of FPE Stab-Lok circuit breakers than the older CPSC and Wright Malta tests found significantly higher failure rates of FPE Stab-Lok circuit breakers, including a look at critical safety failures (breaker failed to trip at 200% of rated current or jammed) which found up to 80% failure rate for FPE Stab-Lok GFCI circuit breakers (n=4), 12% failure rate for double pole FPE Stab-Lok circuit breakers (n=120), and a 1% failure rate for FPE Stab-Lok single pole circuit breakers (n=345).
• FPE FIRES: Failures continue: FPE breaker fails, results in fires: field reports
• Federal Pacific Electric Fires Waiting to Happen, Debate Waiting to Be Ended, detailed article
• Home Inspection Reporting Language and discussion for FPE panels
• Home Inspection Reporting Language and discussion for FPE panels
• How to Identify FPE Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electric Panels - is yours one of these? ALSO: A History of the FPE Stab-Lok Issue.
• Federal Pacific Electric Panels: Fires Waiting to Happen, Debate Waiting to Be Ended
• How to Identify Federal Pacific Electric Panels Stab Lok Breakers & History of the Federal Pacific Electric Stab Lok Hazard
• Replacement Circuit Breakers for FPE Stab-Lok Electric Panels? are not recommended
• Replacement Panels for FPE Stab-Lok load centers - options include conventional complete panel replacement and a less costly replacement of the panel interior load center/bus assembly
• Schneider Canada Federal Pioneer circuit breaker recall
• 1983 CPSC Investigation of FPE Circuit Breakers Safety Information for Consumers
• 1982 Reliance Electric Co. SEC Quarterly Report: Note C. reports litigation between Reliance and UV Liquidating Trust and contends that "... improper and deceptive practices were employed for many years to secure UL listings for Federal Pacific's circuit protective products..."
• 1980 Reliance Electric Co. Press Release: improper practices used to obtain UL Listing for most of FPE's circuit breakers and notes testing which indicates "possible defects." 1980, Reliance Electric Co.
• 1980 FPE - Exxon Buys A Scandal Along With A Company improper practices used to obtain UL Listing for most of FPE's circuit breakers and notes testing which indicates "possible defects." 1980, Reliance Electric Co.
  
  
• Safety Hazards and Safe Inspection Procedures for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
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