Defective electrical components Electrical systems in residential structures can and do require some attention over time. While the wiring itself will normally last a lifetime some of the other components of the system will require replacement. The National Association of Home Builders has published its research into the typical lifespan of building systems and components at Inspectapedia site at http://www.inspectapedia.comis a great source of information on all these panel types. Mr. Friedman goes into great detail and includes information from the Consumer Products Safety Commission and from a number of research facilities which have conducted testing on several of these panel brands. Searching for any of these brands in Google, Bing or any other search engine will bring up a wealth of sites with information. As with any information from the internet you should be careful of the information that you receive. Anecdotal, misleading and just plain wrong information can be posted by just about anyone and with some small amount of effort and this info can appear to be legitimate. The following information is reprinted from D. Friedman’s Inspectapedia site. Federal Pacific Electric (FPE Stab-Lok®) was a widely-distributed electrical panel brand throughout the United States and under the Federal Pioneer brand, also in Canada very similar product continues to be sold. For years, anecdotes and field reports about FPE Stab-Lok® hazards and defects have been discussed at professional conferences and occasionally in the media. Field reports of recalls, poor and even fraudulent manufacturing & labeling, house fires, and injuries have been reported attributed to this product. Independent testing confirms that FPE Stab-Lok® circuit breakers fail to trip, at times as much as 70-80 percent of the time. We have found no data indicating that circuit breakers from other manufacturers fail at anywhere near this high rate. The equipment is a fire and injury hazard.
Replace FPE Stab-Lok® equipment: Given these facts, FPE Stab-Lok electrical panels and circuit breakers should be considered an un-due fire and injury risk and we recommend that the equipment be replaced completely. (Do not purchase and install replacement circuit breakers) [1] FPE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT: Partial Summary Judgment decision dated 8/15/2002 -http://inspectapedia.com/fpe/FPEJudgement8-15-02.pdf - by Judge Bryan D. Garruto, J.S.C., Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division: Middlesex County, Docket No L_2904-97. [2] FPE Exxon Scandal Article "Exxon Buys a scandal Along With a Company", Business week,July 21, 1980, p. 66. [3] 2008 - 2007 FPE Stab-Lok TECHNICAL REPORT (revised) - http://inspectapedia.com/fpe/FPE-Hazards-Revised-070525.pdf - an updated test report of independent testing 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). [4] Example: Dateline Journal (NJ), Feb 3, 1999, p. 1; and Letter, J. Aronstein to Richard Stern, Office of Compliance, US CPSC, 7 March 2006, FPE Circuit Breakers - Field Incidents of fire and personal injury" - http://inspectapedia.com/fpe/CPSC-FPE-3JA.pdf [5] [6] 2010 - "FPE Stab-Lok® Breakers," Dr. Jess Aronstein, to U.S. CPSC, 0/29/2010, Independent testing of 830 circuit breakers from a 63-unit New Jersey condominium, & personal communication Consumers should report FPE failures and inspection/reporting issues to the U.S. CPSC; also report FPE Stab-Lok equipment failures, FPE home inspection or FPE hazard reporting issues to us FEDERAL PIONEER equipment: Schneider Electric produces a version of this equipment in Canada under the name Federal Pioneer A Canadian Federal Pacific recall in 1997 - http://inspectapedia.com/fpe/schneider.htm - There has been no "recall" in the U.S. though there is no doubt that the product is hazardous and should be replaced. Even more information on Federal Pacific Electric “Stab-Lok” panels is available at the Inspectapedia site http://www.inspectapedia.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm . Also here are a couple of sites of electrical contractors who also state serious concerns with FPE “Stab-Lok” and several other brands of equipment. The equipment in your home may seem to be functioning as it was intended. The equipment may appear to be in good condition. The equipment may have never been a problem in the past. The bottom line is that if there have been problems with this brand or type of equipment and it should be examined by a licensed, qualified and competent electrical contractor. While the wiring in your home may last a lifetime, the breakers, switches, receptacles and the connections to this equipment are mechanical. Mechanical actions wear out over time. They are subject to failure, loose connection, heat & cool cycles, vibration and a host of other issues. The mechanical components of a home’s electrical system require inspection and maintenance and occasional updating. If you have panels that are marked as FPE “Stab-Lok”, Zinsco, Sylvania, “Push-o-Matic”, or Trumbull have them checked.If the panels, breakers or any components appear to be of an older type, have them examined. There are tons of issues with some of the older equipment and the manner in which many of the systems were installed and maintained. If you have a home that was built 30 or more years ago you should definitely have an electrical contractor go through the system to check for problems. |
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