Federal Pacific Panels: The Hidden Danger in Your Home’s Electrical System

Federal Pacific Panels

As the owner of a home in Providence, Rhode Island’s 02907 zip code, you may have heard about the dangers of Federal Pacific panels, also known as FPE panels. Maybe you’ve even been told that your home has one. But what exactly is a Federal Pacific panel, and why is it such a cause for concern?

At B&K Electric, a family-owned and operated electrical business based in Warwick, RI, we’ve seen firsthand the consequences of having a Federal Pacific panel in a home. For over seventeen years, we’ve been proudly serving the residents of Cranston, Warwick, and all of Rhode Island, specializing in electrical repair, panel maintenance, and installation. And we want to share our knowledge with you, our valued customers, so that you can make informed decisions about the safety of your home’s electrical system.

What is a Federal Pacific Panel?

Federal Pacific panels were once a popular choice for residential and commercial electrical systems. Manufactured by the Federal Pacific Electric Company, these panels were installed in homes and buildings throughout the US from the 1950s to the 1980s. They were considered a reliable and cost-effective option at the time, and were installed in millions of homes.

A Federal Pacific panel is essentially the main control center for your home’s electrical system. It is responsible for managing the electricity that enters your home and regulating the flow of energy to various circuits and outlets. These panels typically have a main circuit breaker that controls the entire system, as well as smaller breakers that are connected to individual circuits.

Why are Federal Pacific Panels a Cause for Concern?

In the early 1980s, concerns began to arise about the safety of Federal Pacific panels. It was discovered that these panels were not up to code and were not passing safety inspections. In fact, independent testing showed that up to 80% of Federal Pacific panels failed to trip when overloaded, putting homes at risk of electrical fires.

This is due to a flaw in the design of the panels, specifically the breakers. The breakers in Federal Pacific panels are prone to malfunctioning, making them unable to trip and shut off the flow of electricity when needed. This can lead to an overload on the electrical system, causing sparks and heat that can potentially start a fire. It’s also worth noting that Federal Pacific panels are not designed to handle the increased electricity demands of modern appliances and electronics, making them even more dangerous in today’s world.

While the Federal Pacific Electric Company was aware of these issues, they failed to take the necessary steps to address them, ultimately leading to the company filing for bankruptcy in 1982. And unfortunately, many of these panels are still in use today, posing a serious threat to the safety of homes and their occupants.

What You Can Do About It

Now that you know the dangers of Federal Pacific panels, you may be wondering what you should do if your home has one. The safest and most effective solution is to have the panel replaced by a licensed electrician.

At B&K Electric, we are experienced in identifying and replacing Federal Pacific panels with modern and safe alternatives. Our team of skilled electricians will carefully remove the old panel and install a new one that meets all safety standards and can handle the electrical demands of your home. We also offer regular panel maintenance services to help ensure the ongoing safety and functionality of your electrical system.

Don’t Take a Chance on Your Home’s Safety

As a homeowner, the safety of your family and property is always a top priority. And with the hidden dangers of Federal Pacific panels, it’s important to take proactive measures to protect your home. If you’re located in the Warwick area or the greater Providence area, choose B&K Electric as your go-to licensed electrician for all your electrical needs. Let us help you create a safer and more reliable electrical system for your home.

Topics:

Federal Pacific panels,

electrical safety,

panel replacement