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Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panels - Reliance Electric Co. Press Release cites Product Defects, Improper Practices
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• Press Release cites improper practices used by FPE to obtain UL Listing for most of FPE's circuit breakers and notes testing which indicates "possible defects."

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.

This web page explains the issues and recommends solutions for people looking for a replacement FPE Stab-Lok circuit breaker. We do not sell circuit breakers nor any other products.

From Reliance Electric Company
Date-Stamped July 7, 1980 Division of Product
Def....Compliance and Enforcement, CPSC [United States Consumer Product Safety Commission]

For more information contact:
Ricard B. Ainsworth, Jr.
(216) 266-5834

For release: Saturday, July 5, after 4 p.m.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Reliance Electric Company has notified the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that it is investigating a possible defect in the past production of the Stab-Lok line of two-pole, 220 volt circuit breakers made by its recently acquired subsidiary, Federal Pacific Electric Company, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey.

It appears that Underwriters Laboratories labels for most of FPE's circuit breakers were obtained through improper practices, a Reliance spokesperson said. Reliance emphasized that current production of these breakers meets the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories tests.

An in-house test by Reliance indicated the possible defect. Reliance has retained Southwest Research Institute, an independent testing laboratory, to conduct further tests.

Reliance has also identified similar problems with some three- pole Stab-Lok and molded case circuit breakers. Further testing on these breakers is being conducted. These type circuit breakers are used predominantly in commercial and industrial applications.

Reliance and Federal Pacific Electric will work with the CPSC in determining whether further action is required.

Although Reliance has not determined whether a significant hazard exists with regard to these devices, the company has stopped its shipments of the product in question and has requested that distributors stop further sales until tests are completed and evaluated.

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More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• The Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electric Panel Hazard Website Safety Information for Consumers. 2009
• Home Inspection Reporting Language and discussion for FPE panels
• Schneider Canada Federal Pioneer circuit breaker recall
• 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
• 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 used to obtain UL Listing for most of FPE's circuit breakers and notes testing which indicates "possible defects." 1980, Reliance Electric Co.
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