The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) began an investigation in the early 1980s and hired electrical experts to test FPE Stab-Lok switches installed in homes from 1960 to 1985 that did not fully meet the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. The CPSC concluded the investigation in 1983, stating in a press release that “Based on the limited budget of the Commission, the known hazards that the Commission has identified and must address…and the uncertainty of the outcome of such a costly investigation, the Commission has decided not to allocate additional resources to the FPE Circuit Breaker investigation”. The CPSC said the data did not show “that circuit breakers pose a significant threat to consumers.”

Even though the CPSC investigation has been closed, one of the testing team members, Jesse Aronstein, continues to talk about the dangers of FPE Stab-Lok panels. An electrical engineer with a PhD in materials science, Aronstein wrote a peer-reviewed article to illustrate the fire damage that these types of Federal Pacific Electrical panels cause. Based on information gleaned from fire reports, Aronstein and co-author Richard Lowery calculated that FPE Stab-Lok panel failures result in 2,800 fires, 13 deaths, and $40 million in property damage each year.

Is it safe to own an FPE Stab-Lok panel?

The problem with the FPE Stab-Lok is that it can function normally until it suddenly stops working. Only one short circuit or overcurrent is required. The CPSC recommends that this type of panel be inspected by a qualified electrician “to look for any signs of overheating or malfunction among the circuit breakers.” However, having tested over 4,000 switches, Aronstein says that you can only identify a failed Stab-Lok switch by first removing it and then checking it. This process can be more expensive than installing a new, less risky panel from Federal Pacific Electrical or any other brand.

How can you tell if you have a Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok panel?

If your home was built during this time period of 1950 to 1990, it may contain one of these panels. Typically, the front cover of the panel is labeled “Federal Pacific” or “FPE”. Inside the box, look for a label that says “Stab-Lok”. Normally circuit breakers will have a red stripe across each switch.

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