Federal Pacific Breakers: A Warning for Homeowners in Providence, RI

Federal Pacific Breakers

If you are a homeowner in Providence, RI, specifically in the zip code 02907 area of Cranston, you may have heard of the ongoing controversy surrounding Federal Pacific breakers. As a responsible homeowner, it is crucial to understand the potential dangers of these breakers and how to address them to ensure the safety of your home and family. As a licensed electrician specializing in electrical repair, panel maintenance, and installation, B&K Electric is here to provide you with all the information you need to know about Federal Pacific breakers.

At B&K Electric, we are a family-owned and operated electrical business based in Warwick, RI, just a short drive from Providence. Our roots are deeply embedded in the local community, and we take pride in offering exceptional customer service to all our clients. With over seventeen years of experience, our highly trained and knowledgeable electricians have been providing top-notch services to residents in Cranston, Warwick, and all throughout Rhode Island. We are your go-to electrician for any home or business electrical needs in the Warwick and greater Providence area.

As a homeowner, it is essential to keep your electrical system in optimal condition to avoid any potential hazards. This includes regularly maintaining and updating your electrical panel, which is the heart of your home’s electrical system. However, one crucial aspect of panel maintenance that often goes overlooked is the type of circuit breakers used in the panel. In the case of Federal Pacific breakers, this can have severe consequences.

Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) was a prominent manufacturer of electrical panels and circuit breakers from the 1950s to the 1980s. They supplied millions of homes in the US, including many in Providence, with their circuit breakers. At the time, FPE was considered a reputable company providing quality products. However, in the early 1980s, it was discovered that their circuit breakers had a high rate of failures, leading to fires in homes across the country.

The issue with Federal Pacific breakers lies in their design and construction. These breakers were built with a unique Stab-Lok mechanism, which locks the breaker into the panel and connects it to the power source. The design flaw in these breakers is that the connection could become loose, resulting in potential arcing, overheating, and ultimately, fires. In addition, these breakers were not adequately tested and certified by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an organization that sets safety standards for electrical products, before being sold in the market.

In the late 1970s, there were multiple studies and reports showing alarming failure rates of these breakers. The most notable was conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 1983, which found that Federal Pacific breakers had a failure rate up to 60% in some cases. Despite these findings, FPE did not recall or fix their breakers, primarily because they were no longer in business.

As a result, many homes in Providence and across the country still have these faulty breakers installed in their electrical panels. To make matters worse, it is estimated that only a small percentage of these failures are reported or recognized, meaning the actual number of homes at risk is potentially much higher. This is why it is essential for homeowners in Providence and the surrounding areas to be aware of the potential dangers of Federal Pacific breakers and take action to ensure their safety.

So, what can you do if you have Federal Pacific breakers in your home? The first step is to have a licensed electrician, like B&K Electric, inspect your electrical panel. Our highly trained electricians will be able to identify if you have Federal Pacific breakers and determine the best course of action. This could include replacing the breakers with newer, more reliable ones or upgrading your entire electrical panel.

It is crucial to note that not all Federal Pacific breakers will fail, and some may continue to function properly for years. However, the risk of potential failure is significant and not worth taking for the safety of your home and family. As the saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry.

As a homeowner in Providence, RI, it is crucial to be aware of the potential dangers of Federal Pacific breakers and take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of your home and family. At B&K Electric, we understand the importance of a well-maintained and updated electrical system for your home’s overall safety. It is our mission to provide exceptional services and educate homeowners about potential hazards like Federal Pacific breakers. Don’t hesitate to contact us for all your electrical needs and inspections in the Warwick and greater Providence area.

Topics:

Federal Pacific breakers,

Electrical panel maintenance,

Electrical repair