Federal Pacific (FPE) Panel: What CPSC Found and What to Do

Short answer: Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok panels turn up in many homes built from the 1950s through the 1970s. CPSC testing confirmed that some FPE breakers fail certain UL calibration tests, but in 1983 the agency closed its investigation without deciding whether they are safe, so the practical step is a licensed electrician’s evaluation of any original panel.

Check a specific house: an FPE Stab-Lok panel is rated low for homes built from 1950 to 1979. Open the House Age Decoder with 1965 loaded →

What an FPE panel is

The electrical panel (also called the breaker box or service panel) is where power from the utility is split into the circuits that run through the house. Each circuit is protected by a breaker that is supposed to trip, cutting power, when the circuit is overloaded or shorted.

Federal Pacific Electric made panels and breakers sold under the name Stab-Lok. In 1979, Reliance Electric, then a subsidiary of Exxon, acquired FPE. Many of these panels are still in service in houses from the postwar decades, which is why home inspectors so often mention them.

What CPSC found, and what it did not find

The federal record is the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s investigation, opened in 1980 and closed in 1983. The key points from CPSC’s closing announcement:

Date	What happened
June 1980	CPSC began investigating after Reliance reported that many FPE breakers did not fully comply with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requirements.
1980 to 1983	CPSC testing confirmed that the breakers fail certain UL calibration tests, which check whether a breaker trips within set time limits during overloads.
March 3, 1983	CPSC closed the investigation, mainly about 2-pole residential breakers made before 1979, without finding that the data showed a serious risk of injury.

Two parts of that announcement matter most for a homeowner:

CPSC said it was unable to link the test failures to a hazardous situation, and it did not have enough data to accept or refute Reliance’s position that the breakers trip reliably at most overload levels.
CPSC said that closing the case did not determine whether FPE breakers are safe. It cited the cost of further testing and its limited budget, and said it could reopen the investigation if new information warranted.

In other words, there was no federal recall and no federal finding that the panels are safe. That gap is why opinions differ and why many inspectors recommend an electrician take a closer look.

Why older panels deserve attention in general

Panel brand is only part of the picture. In 1996, CPSC reported that problems with home electrical wiring cause more than 40,000 fires a year, that wiring systems were the leading cause of fire deaths involving electrical equipment over the previous decade, and that older homes are the most vulnerable. Wiring components wear out, and older systems were not designed for today’s appliance loads.

The same concerns apply to any original panel in an older home: age, past modifications, signs of overheating, and whether breakers or fuses match the wiring they protect. CPSC’s home electrical safety checklist notes that a fuse of the wrong size can let too much current flow and overheat wiring, and it says unusually warm outlets or switches may indicate an unsafe wiring condition that an electrician should check.

Some inspectors also flag other older panel brands, such as Zinsco. We did not find an official federal finding on those panels, so this guide does not rate them. If your inspector names any older brand as a concern, treat it the same way: get a licensed electrician’s opinion.

How to tell if a house has one

You do not need to open anything to find out. The brand is normally printed on the panel’s label or door, and the inspector will note it in the report.

Look for the name “Federal Pacific Electric,” “FPE” or “Stab-Lok” on the panel door or label.
Check the inspection report. Most home inspectors record the panel brand, its rating and any concerns.
Ask the seller whether the panel is original or has been replaced, and when.
Check the build year. Panels from the 1950s to the 1970s are the ones CPSC’s investigation covered; a panel installed later is a different product.

Do not remove the panel cover or touch breakers to inspect them. Opening a panel exposes energized parts. This site does not give instructions for electrical work; leave it to a licensed electrician.

Warning signs to mention to an electrician

These are reasons to call a licensed electrician sooner rather than later, whatever the panel brand. From CPSC’s checklist:

Outlets or switches that feel unusually warm or work erratically.
Any shock from an appliance other than static, which CPSC calls a sign of an extremely hazardous wiring condition.
Fuses that do not match the circuit’s wiring size.
Breakers that trip or fuses that blow repeatedly; CPSC advises finding the cause rather than simply resetting or replacing them.

What insurers and buyers usually run into

Insurers often ask about the panel brand and age when writing a policy for an older home. Some may require an electrician’s evaluation or an upgrade before offering coverage; the specifics vary by company and state. Our guide to home insurance for older homes explains the factors regulators list.

For buyers, an FPE panel is usually a negotiation and planning item rather than a reason to walk away. The electrician’s written findings help you decide whether to budget for a replacement.

Questions to ask

The home inspector

What brand and age is the main panel, and is it original to the house?
Did you see signs of overheating, corrosion, double-tapped breakers or amateur modifications?
Would you recommend a licensed electrician’s evaluation of the panel?

The seller

Is the panel original? Has it ever been replaced or upgraded? Is there a permit?
Have breakers tripped often, or have there been any electrical problems or repairs?
Has an electrician ever evaluated the panel? Can I see the report?

Your insurance company

Do you ask about Federal Pacific or other older panels?
Would an FPE panel affect eligibility or premium?
Will you require an electrician’s evaluation or a panel replacement, and by when?

The electrician

Is this panel in good condition for its age, and are the breakers properly matched to the wiring?
Do you recommend repair, monitoring or replacement, and why?
Will a replacement require a permit and inspection?

What to do if you have one

Get a licensed electrician’s written evaluation, especially before buying or before adding major loads.
Share the evaluation with your insurer if they ask about the panel.
Plan a budget for replacement if the electrician recommends it. Costs vary widely by house and region, so get local quotes.
Check the rest of the wiring. Homes from the same era may also have aluminum branch wiring, and older houses may have knob-and-tube wiring.

Common misunderstandings

“FPE panels were recalled.” CPSC closed its investigation without a recall.
“CPSC said they’re safe.” CPSC said explicitly that closing the case did not determine whether they are safe.
“If the lights work, the panel is fine.” Breaker performance only shows up during an overload or fault. That is why an evaluation matters.

Quick answers

Do I have to replace an FPE panel?

No federal rule requires it. Your insurer, lender or local code requirements for other work may, so ask them and get an electrician’s opinion.

Are all old panels dangerous?

Not necessarily. Age, condition and how the panel was modified matter. A licensed electrician can tell you what applies to yours.

Before-you-buy checklist

Note the panel brand and age from the inspection report.
Ask the seller about panel replacements and electrical problems.
Book a licensed electrician’s evaluation if the panel is FPE or very old.
Call your insurer with the panel brand before closing.
See what else is typical for the era with the House Age Decoder.

Federal Pacific (FPE) Panels: How to Tell and What to Do