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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.

How to identify FPE Equipment: this article series describes how to identify Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electric Panels and circuit breakers in buildings. It 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.

While this article series includes FPE Stab-Lok circuit breaker description and labels, (see links at page left), those examples are provided to assist in the identification of this equipment - tests and field reports indicate that all of the FPE Stab-Lok equipment, electrical panels and circuit breakers sold and installed in the U.S. suffers the no-trip breaker and other problems across all residential equipment models and ages. This includes various FPE Stab-Lok circuit breaker and bus designs including the "NA" (push-in connection) "E" bus, the "F" bus-connected breakers and the Type "NB" circuit breakers that are screw-fastened to the bus.

The Type NB Stab-Lock breakers are screw-fastened to the busbar, but are identical to the NA (push-in) types in all other respects and came out of the same production lines.  There is no reason to consider that they have any different defect profile. - thanks to reader Paul Knor for requesting this clarification.

© 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.

Photo Guide to Federal Pacific Stab-lok Circuit Breakers by Their Labels

Below we provide a photographic library of various types of Federal Pacific (FPE) Stab Lok equipment, including FPE and Federal Pioneer, or Federal Electric labels which permit a consumer to identify the equipment from its exterior as well as circuit breaker labels and other details. You usually won't see these FPE Stablok circuit breaker labels unless the breaker has been removed from th electrical panel for inspection.

Watch out: 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.

Shown (from left to right) are the following FPE circuit breaker labels in five common colors and various text and circuit breaker catalog numbers:

The FPE Stab-lok circuit breaker labels shown just above were provided courtesy of electrical panel researcher David Carrier, and discussed at FPE Pre-1970 STAB-LOKS OK?. At least some of these circuit breaker were typically affixed directly by FPE under UL supervision and form part of the fraudulent labeling history.

FPE Stab-lok Circuit Breaker Patent Numbers & Labels - Pre 1970

Below from left: Federal Pacific Electric Co. circuit breaker patent numbers, label on a pre-1970 FPE Stab-lok 40-Amp circuit breaker, courtesy of electrical panel researcher David Carrier, and discussed at FPE Pre-1970 STAB-LOKS OK?.

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FPE Stab-Lok HAZARDS & REPAIRS WEBSITE

• Dr. Jess Aronstein, electrical engineer, Poughkeepsie, NY, forensic engineering services, independent laboratory testing for various agencies protune@aol.com (independent electrical panel testing, including FPE Stab-Lok panels, to April 2010)
• David Carrier, electrical engineer, 53 Henmond Blvd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 845-430-7527
• 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
• Thanks to home inspector John Spencer, Sherlock Home Inspectors, Inc. in Millington, MI, for photos and discussion of Federal Electric panel identification and hazards 04/2009. Mr. Spencer can also be reached at Saginaw (989) 777-0235, Millington (989) 871-5458, and by email to sherlockhomeinspectors@charter.net
• The remaining photographs on this page were made by the web author
• Thanks to reader Paul Knor, Senior R&D Tech., The Ex One Company, LLC, for requesting clarification regarding the performance of FPE Stab-Lok type "NB" circuit breakers that are screw-fastened to the panel bus. According to Dr. Jess Aronstein who has performed extensive research and testing on FPE equipment: (3/3/2010)
  
  The FPE Type NB Stab-Lock breakers are screw-fastened to the busbar, but are identical to the NA (push-in) types in all other respects and came out of the same production lines.  There is no reason to consider that they have any different defect profile.
  

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.
• The Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electric Panel Hazard Website Safety Information for Consumers. 2009
• Home Inspection Reporting Language for FPE Stab-Lok electric panels and circuit breakers
• Schneider Canada Federal Pioneer circuit breaker recall
• How to Identify Federal Pacific Electric Panels Stab Lok Breakers & History of the Federal Pacific Electric Stab Lok Hazard
• FPE FIRES: Failures continue: FPE breaker fails, results in fires: field reports
• Replacement Electric Panels: Federal Pacific Electric Panel Replacements two cost and method options for FPE panel replacement.
• Federal Pacific Electric Fires Waiting to Happen, Debate Waiting to Be Ended, detailed article
• 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 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 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.
• FAQ: Website Credibility
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