If your home was built before 1990, your main electrical panel may be outdated. This poses significant security risks. There is a safety device in your control cabinet. These are either circuit breakers or fuses. If excess current flows through your electrical panel, the safety device will shut off the power to prevent your wires from overheating.
Many older homes have unsafe electrical panels. One of the most important parts of your home is the circuit breaker panel. If your panel does not have a power supply of at least 100 amps, you will need to have an inspection performed by a licensed electrician. Your electrical system must be properly maintained to ensure the safety of everyone in the home.
There are two specific circuit breaker panels commonly used between 1950 and 1990 that have dangerous design flaws. These are Federal Pacific Electric and Zinsco panels with Stab-Lok circuit breakers. These panels can function properly for many years. In the event of a short circuit or overcurrent, the panel may overheat and cause a fire.
Federal Pacific Electric Panel
The Federal Pacific Electric or FPE panel became very popular in the United States. This panel has been installed in millions of old homes. This panel is not safe because your circuit breakers will not trip when they should, such as in the event of a circuit overload or short circuit. This caused thousands of fires across the United States.
According to many reports, even when your FPE panel is turned off, the circuit continues to receive power. Even if your circuit is turned off, you could receive an electric shock if you try to work on the circuit. If your home was built between 1950 and 1980, you may have an FPE panel. Look for the words “Federal Pacific Electric” on the cover of your circuit breaker box.
The circuit breakers in this panel were manufactured under the Stab-Lok brand. This name is found on Federal Pacific Electric circuit breaker boxes.
Zinsco Panel
Zinsco panels became very popular in the 1970s. Although Zinsco no longer exists, this panel can still be found in many homes. The circuit breakers in this panel often melt. This prevents the circuit breaker from tripping in the event of an overload or short circuit. If you have an electrical problem, the power supply may cause a fire due to melted wires.
If the Zinsco name is on your panel, you will need to have it replaced. The Zinsco panel was renamed Sylvania or GTE-Sylvania. These panels have the same safety issues and need to be replaced.
Issues Resulting From Increased Electrical Loads
Over the last fifty years, the average home’s electricity consumption has increased significantly. This happened for many reasons including computers, gaming systems, multiple televisions and cell phones. All devices consume electricity. The United States Census Bureau reported that more than fifty percent of all homes in the United States were built before 1970. That was before these devices were invented.
Before 1970, a two-wire 60 amp supply was common. The current minimum is a 100 amp three-wire connection. The right service depends on the electrical load in your home. You may need up to 200 amps. Until you update your home’s electrical system, it will remain outdated and pose a potential threat to your safety.
According to experts, Zinsco and FPE circuit breaker panels pose a risk of injury, electric shock and fire. Reasons why these panels are dangerous include:
- Panels do not meet current safety codes
- Panels contain defects from the manufacturer
- There are serious design flaws
- There are potential issues with the breakers in FPA panels including:
- Loose connections
- When in the down or off position, the panels may be active
- Overcrowding
- They split easily
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has found that the materials used for these circuit breakers are often weak under UL 289 testing conditions. This means that if your circuit breakers don’t trip, your electrical panel could start a fire. FPA panel circuit breaker malfunctions are responsible for approximately 2,800 fires each year. The fact that Federal Pacific Electric is now bankrupt does not prevent the harm and danger resulting from their negligence.
The electricians couldn’t remove the circuit breakers because they melted together. This will prevent your circuit breaker from tripping. The amount of electricity entering your home can then become dangerous. This caused so many fires. Another serious problem is circuit breaker blowing. This results in an arc explosion.
Call McBride Lighting & Electrical to Upgrade Your Home with a Safe, Efficient Electrical Panel Today
At McBride Lighting & Electrical, we perform electrical panel replacement, repair, and maintenance in Denver and surrounding areas of Colorado. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers. So if you find a Zinsco FPE panel in your home, call us immediately. We offer specials and coupons. Additionally, we are available 24/7 for emergency service!
