Beware of Stab-Lok® Circuit Breakers
By Andrew Gough, ACMNA Board Member
Data Scientist – MBA – Electrical Engineer
Do you live in a classic Arcadia home that was build in the 1950s? Do you still have some outlets in your home that are only 2 prong (no ground terminal)? If yes, you should check your electrical panel to see if you have Stab-Lok circuit breakers, which are a serious safety hazard for your home.
Circuit breakers are responsible for preventing damage to your electrical system by interrupting the flow of electricity when an overload, short circuit, or other fault is detected. They are important safety equipment in preventing home fires and electrocution deaths.
Stab-Lok breakers are dangerous because they do not function properly as circuit breakers! Testing by the Consumer Product Safety Commission has shown that 1 out of 3 breakers are defective. A study in 2011 estimated that FPE Stab-Lok breakers may be responsible for as many as 2,800 fires, 13 deaths, and $40 million property damage every year.
Stab-Lok® circuit breakers were manufactured by Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) and sold in the 1950s through 1985, and they were used in millions of homes—including homes in Arcadia. FPE eventually stopped making them, but other companies acquired the rights to manufacture Stab-Lok systems – boxes, panels, and breakers – until about 1990. Today, two companies still make Stab-Lok type products: Connecticut Electric produces breakers under the name UBI, and Schneider Electric makes breakers and panels under the name Federal Pioneer. However, these replacement brands are no safer than the FPE originals.
Identifying FPE Stab-Lok Breakers
• The breaker box door usually says “Federal Pacific Electric” or “FPE”.
• Once you open the door, you will usually — but not always — see the words “Stab-Lok” in the center or on the side of the breaker panel.
• A website called InspectAPedia supplies photos and further steps for identifying FPE Stab-Lok panels and breakers.
· The replacement Stab-Lok brands went by at least a dozen names. Most — but not all — will have the word “Stab-Lok” in the center or on the side of the breaker panel.
· Still unsure? Ask an electrician to remove individual breakers from the panel — you could be electrocuted if you do it yourself — and look for the E-shaped and F-shaped openings that are unique to Stab-Lok breakers.
What To Do If you Find Stab-Lok Breakers
You need to call an electrician to have the entire panel replaced. The new panel equipment, breakers, and labor will cost a couple thousand dollars. High quality, reputable brands for panels and breakers are General Electric and Square-D. Do not delay making this important safety improvement to your home.
The panel replacement is also likely to ease the future sale of your home. A good home inspector will check the electrical panel for Stab-Lok breakers, and if they are found, recommend they be replaced.