The electrical service panel is the heart of the home’s electrical system. Without a properly functioning panel, electrical items do not function. Many older homes have these outdated service panels, but most homeowners never give thought to replacing their service panels.
There are millions of people today who have panels that are more than 40 years old. Many no longer protect their electrical systems and homes from short circuits or overcurrents.
Federal Pacific Electric Company (FPE) was one of the biggest manufacturers of circuit breaker panels in North America from the 1950s all the way up to the 1980s. Millions of their panels were installed in homes across the country. Yet, as the years passed, electricians and home inspectors often found Federal Pacific Electric panels failed to provide proper protection to homeowners. Businesses in commercial buildings also have these panels still in service. Experts now say that FPE panels can appear to work fine for years, but after one overcurrent or short circuit, they can overheat. This may result in an electrical fire. These service panels can also be found in commercial building as well. Meticulous Home Inspection performs commercial inspections and we have seen these panels in deli's, laundromats, shoe stores, coffee shops, etc.
In a class action lawsuit, a New Jersey State Court ruled that the Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Company “violated the Consumer Fraud Act because FPE knowingly and purposefully distributed circuit breakers which were not tested to meet UL standards…” An expert who investigated the potential hazards of Federal Pacific Electric panels stated under UL 489 test conditions, that FPE panels fail to trip at a much higher rate than standard panels.
When a breaker fails to properly operate, or ‘trip’, an large amount of power from the outside electrical supply surges into a home’s panel and circuits. When this happens, it cannot be stopped or shut off manually – it is the job of the circuit breaker to automatically shut off the power. Electricity will burn until it runs out of fuel or the wires melt. The panel could overheat and catch fire, causing serious harm to a home and its occupants. Many Federal Pacific Electric panels and breakers have operated properly for many years. But if and when they do not work properly, fire can be the result.
What do I do if I have one?
If you have a Federal Pacific Electrical panel in your home, it is recommended you have a licensed electrician evaluate this panel as it should be replaced with a modern service panel. Many thousands of these panels are still in service, but few homeowners know about them. Often times it is when a homeowner is selling their home, an inspector performs an inspection for a buyer and will, if he/she is properly trained, point out this scourge of the electrical world. Properly trained and licensed New York State home inspectors - like the ones employed by Meticulous Home Inspection - will always recommend that this panel be replaced with a modern circuit breaker panel.
