If Your Electric Panels Are Made By One Of These Brands, Replace Them—it Could Be A Fire Hazard

Although responsible for safely distributing power to your home, breaker panels often fly under the radar for many homeowners. However, given their importance, you should check the brand name and consider upgrading your electrical box, as some are infamous for being unsafe and posing a fire hazard. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Carl Murawski, a licensed electrician, shared his thoughts on the matter, explaining, "Based on my experience as a licensed electrician, homeowners should strongly consider replacing Stab-Lok and Federal Pacific electrical panels." Continuing to reside in a home with these electrical panels may cause a serious safety risk to you, your family, and anyone living under your roof.

"The breaker panels have experienced multiple breaker failures since their installation, which mainly affects breakers that fail to activate their tripping mechanism during overload or short-circuit situations," says the expert. He explains, "The failure of a breaker to trip allows wiring to continue heating, which leads to a major danger of electrical fires. That fundamental failure undermines the most important safety function of the panel." Moreover, Murawski suggests that homeowners should take care of known issues to minimize the risk of unwarranted fires. He recommends, "Homeowners need to replace faulty panels while updating their electrical infrastructure to handle contemporary power requirements, and they should hire licensed electricians to conduct inspections during property purchases and renovation projects." Follow a few due diligence steps before hiring someone to work on your home to ensure safety guidelines are followed.

You might be wondering why Federal Pacific Electric, which was once among the most popular panel manufacturers, is now being shunned. Shedding light on this, Murawski reveals in his exclusive interview with House Digest, "While many Federal Pacific and Stab-Lok panels were code-compliant at the time they were installed decades ago, that does not mean they meet modern safety expectations." And therein lies the issue. He continues, "The breakers have proven to be faulty in independent tests, which also match the results from multiple years of real-world usage." And although they're risky and can cause irreparable damage, the onus to replace them falls on the homeowner. Our expert concurs, "The combination of safety concerns and legal restrictions makes these devices unacceptable to electricians, home inspectors, and insurance companies even though they exist without complete prohibition in all areas." So, you should consider replacing these electrical panels immediately.

That being said, this isn't the only name brand you should be concerned about. Murawski shares, "Older Zinsco panels serve as a common electrical issue because their breakers do not function reliably according to electricians." And though Federal Pacific Electric and Stab-Lok are the worst offenders, you want to exercise caution if your home's panel is quite old. He agrees and recommends, "The evaluation process should include all aging panels that use outdated breaker technology and show signs of corrosion or overheating regardless of their manufacturer."

In case you find that your current electrical panels are Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok, don't panic. Get ready for a replacement instead. Murawski explains in his House Digest exclusive, "Homeowners who have Federal Pacific or Stab-Lok panels should prepare for a complete panel replacement because I recommend against using any kind of partial solution to handle the situation." This is because having individual breakers won't solve the underlying issues, and the system will remain faulty. Instead, pony up for a full replacement.

Our expert continues, " A contemporary panel replacement system creates enhanced safety features, which simultaneously boost property market appeal for insurance companies and potential home buyers while delivering adequate power support for modern electrical requirements, including electric vehicle charging, heat pump operation, and high-power appliance usage." And if you don't like its appearance, hide the eyesore of an electrical panel in your home by installing a cabinet around it.

Not sure whether you should replace your old electric panel or let it be for a few more years? Murawski suggests heeding warning signs. Consider replacement if "The panel enclosure and breakers show heat signs when touched, and lights flicker and power problems occur repeatedly, and breakers do not activate when electrical loads exceed their capacity." Listing another indicator you should keep an eye out for, our expert adds that finding visible burn marks paired with corrosion, rust, and a burning smell near the panel requires immediately contacting a professional. Additionally, he suggests evaluating any electric panel that's older than 50 years.