Federal Pacific Stab lock?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

bill@usps06492

Member
Location
Connecticut
My nephew just purchased a condo, and like all new homeowners he wants to do some remodeling. I noticed that he has an old FED-PAC "stab lock"sub panel for his unit, 24 circuits, these where apts, late 60's or early 70's vintage, that were converted into condos back in the 80's(the unit is all electric, heat elec baseboard, 18k btu ac unit built in, elec range, 40 gal elec hotwater etc....) . Should this panel be chaged out? Other than the cost, and trouble of getting new breakers for it, is there any danger leaving the panel as is. I did pull off the cover and checked where the CBs stabbed onto the buss, and everything looked fine, no ALUM wire. I didn't notice any burns or charring on the breakers, but that is not a sure sign that something else might be wrong. Has anybody ever delt with this situation before, and what are the best panels to replace them with, (SQ D GE CUTLR HMR). I already checked with a local supply house about just changing out the guts but was told that thats only for industrial 3 phase panels. What's the history on the FED-PAC trouble??
Bill
 
bill@usps06492 said:
I already checked with a local supply house about just changing out the guts but was told that thats only for industrial 3 phase panels.
Click to expand...

They are wrong. But putting a replacement interior into a 40 year old "loadcenter" box will probably be extremely difficult and expensive. So unless the box is cemented into the wall, replacement guts would not be cost efective.
 
Replaceing guts parts only is going to cost roughly $500. I base this figure on one I did recently. For the setting I was in, the money was worth it for a residentual setting like your describing just doing a panel swap would be the most economical way to go unless its encased in concrete like Jim suggested.
 
bill@usps06492 said:
I already checked with a local supply house about just changing out the guts but was told that thats only for industrial 3 phase panels.
Click to expand...

Not according to this thread that was posted earlier this week. Even has pictures of the replacement kit.
 
hillbilly1 said:
Just Google Federal Pacific if you don't want to stay in the condo another night!
I've melted off 3" of #12 copper and it still not trip!
Click to expand...

I have tested numerous small frame MCCB and found some of most manufactures with issues. Not defending FPE, just some input.

The real issue I always saw with the FPE Stabloc is the breaker to bus connection.
 
brian john said:
I have tested numerous small frame MCCB and found some of most manufactures with issues. Not defending FPE, just some input.

The real issue I always saw with the FPE Stabloc is the breaker to bus connection.
Click to expand...

That would mirror my non-empirical experience. Another issue here in sunny blistering hot AZ is if the panel is exterior or interior; northside or southside. Heat, dirt and water can really deteriorate FPE panels.

FWIW $500 - $5000 is nothing compared to a life, to most people.
 
federal pacific replacement breakers, watch out.

federal pacific replacement breakers, watch out.

I recently had to have a replacement for a bad federal breaker overnighted to me. An apartment complex had a unit's 125 amp stab lock not reset. So it took a while to get a replacement. So today I thought I would see what I could get to keep in stock. I was hoping for a better price than $355. I was looking on ebay for a refurbushed 125 amp stab lock and found this guy selling one. ($10) He said it was " refib" I emailed asking what that meant. he says he refurbushes them buy shorting them out to test if it trips then cleaning it. Thats a scary thought. Did this guy put over 125 amps across this thing to test it. If he did I don't think I'd ever trust it to work a second time, since they may not have worked when it was new.
 
brian john said:
The real issue I always saw with the FPE Stabloc is the breaker to bus connection.
Click to expand...
I keep hearing that, but yet they still use Stab-locs in Canada and their website claims that bus connection is superior to other designs. Is this the same design that many had trouble with here in past years or have they changed it?
 
On many residential FPE panels, the only thing holding the breaker into place on the buss is the panel cover. This is especially true with the 1/2 size breakers. Only two little fingers grap the buss, and even the slamming of a door can dislodge the breaker. (I replaced a panel 3 years ago with this exact problem).

Save a fire: rip it out and replace it!

Check this out:

http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm
 
Last edited:
I have limited residential experience with FPE as Square D was king around here when I did residential BUT the few calls I remember were with issues with the 1/2 size breakers making poor connection (as someone else noted)
 
Last edited:
I would repalce it asap. I would be worried about sleeping there.

Think of it this way - since there is so much discussion about FPE stablok panels being dangerous - wouldn't you want to get rid of it? why try to cheap out on life safety?

http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm

go to this link and you will change your mind - anyone who says different either doesn't know what they are talking about or is trying to sell you something.

Bottom line - change it out. FPE panels are a latent fire hazard.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top