Are Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Panels Dangerous?

Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels have been the subject of much controversy and concern in the electrical industry for several decades. Some experts have claimed that these panels can pose a risk of electrical fires, due to reported problems with the circuit breaker design and manufacturing.

Studies and investigations have found that Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels can fail to trip when they are supposed to, potentially allowing electrical faults to persist and leading to a fire hazard. Additionally, the breaker contact points in some of these panels have been found to wear out more quickly than in other types of panels, further increasing the risk of failure.

Given these concerns, it is recommended that Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels be evaluated and possibly replaced by a qualified electrician or electrical contractor, to ensure the safety and reliability of your electrical system. If you are unsure whether you have a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panel, you can check the label on the panel cover or contact a professional for an evaluation.

You can read much more about Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels here.

Does My Home Inspection Include An Electrical Panel Inspection?

As part of your Home Inspection, we will inspect the electrical panel and determine if it is the type that has previously known issues associated with it. We will also look at many other factors, both inside and on the exterior of the panel. Even if the electrical panel is not a type known to have issues, there can be be many other things that should be addressed.