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Glossary

Federal Pacific Panel

Federal Pacific Panel

It's an outdated type of electrical breaker box installed in millions of homes between the 1950s and the 1980s. You shouldn't wait to replace this box because the breakers often fail to trip when overloaded. These defective panels create a major fire hazard and will definitely cause problems during a home inspection.

Reviewed by John HomesUpdated July 20, 20263 min read

Origin

The Federal Pacific Electric company manufactured these specific electrical boxes under the Stab Lok brand name. The trade name became infamous after safety investigators discovered the company falsified their testing results.

How you'll see it used

  • The home inspector noted a Federal Pacific panel in the garage and recommended we ask the seller for a 2000 dollar credit to replace it before closing.
  • My insurance agent called to say they would drop my homeowner policy next month if I didn't hire an electrician to swap out the old Stab Lok breaker box.
  • The electrician handed me a quote for 2500 dollars to remove the Federal Pacific panel and install a modern 200 amp Square D box.

What is a Federal Pacific panel?

A Federal Pacific panel is an outdated type of electrical breaker box. You will find them in millions of homes built between the 1950s and the 1980s. The Federal Pacific Electric company manufactured these specific electrical boxes under the popular Stab Lok brand name. They were cheap and easy to install. Builders used them everywhere during the postwar housing boom.

The trade name became infamous years later. Safety investigators discovered the company falsified their testing results. The panels did not actually meet basic safety standards. Today, these defective panels create a major fire hazard. They will definitely cause problems during a home inspection. If you are going through the Buying a Home process, your inspector will flag this panel immediately.

Why this panel is a major hazard

Your electrical panel acts as the traffic cop for your home. It takes power from the utility company and sends it safely to your outlets. When a circuit gets overloaded, the breaker is supposed to trip. Tripping shuts off the power instantly.

Federal Pacific Stab Lok breakers have a very high failure rate. They often fail to trip when overloaded. Instead of shutting off, they keep letting electricity flow. The wires get hotter and hotter until they melt. This defect causes thousands of house fires every year.

The danger is so well known that many companies refuse to provide Home Insurance to houses that still have them. You might lose your existing coverage or face much higher monthly premiums until you replace the box.

How to spot one in your home

You can figure out if you have one of these panels with a quick visual check. Go to your basement, garage, or utility room and look at your main electrical box.

  • Check the outside cover for the Federal Pacific Electric name or logo.
  • Look for the words Stab Lok printed on the center of the panel cover.
  • Open the metal door and look at the breaker switches. Stab Lok breakers usually feature a signature red stripe across the tip of the switch.
  • Look for breakers that are painted orange or have orange labels.

If you see any of these warning signs, you need to take action. Don't ignore the problem just because your electricity seems to work fine right now.

Never try to test a Federal Pacific breaker by deliberately overloading a circuit. The breaker might lock in the on position and start a fire inside your walls. Always hire a licensed electrician to inspect and replace your panel.

What replacement costs

You can't repair or upgrade a Federal Pacific panel. You must replace the entire unit. This is a complex job for a licensed electrician. They will pull a permit, remove the dangerous old box, and install a modern panel. They will then reconnect all your circuits safely and have the city inspect the work.

This total replacement usually costs between 1500 to 3000 dollars. Prices vary based on your local labor rates and the size of your home. Many homeowners use this opportunity to upgrade their electrical service from 100 amps to 200 amps. Upgrading your total power capacity will push the cost closer to 3000 to 4500 dollars. You can read more about standard electrical updates in our Electrical guide.

Replacing this panel is a big upfront expense. However, it is one of the most critical safety updates you can make to an older house. It also makes your home much easier to sell in the future.

Frequently asked

Can I just replace the bad breakers in my Federal Pacific panel?

No, you can't just swap out the breakers. The entire panel design is defective and dangerous. You must hire an electrician to replace the whole box with a modern, safe brand.

Will a Federal Pacific panel fail a home inspection?

Yes, a home inspector will always flag this panel as a major safety hazard. If you are selling your house, buyers will almost certainly demand that you replace it or give them a credit to do it themselves.

Are Federal Pacific panels illegal to have in my house?

They aren't illegal to keep in an existing home, and nobody will force you to rip yours out. However, they don't meet current safety codes, and many insurance companies will refuse to cover your home until you replace the panel.

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