Robert Jones Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 This home was built in 1986. There are a mix of breaker brands to include Stab Lok. The label on the inside of the cover states Federal Pacific Electric. I am going to call it as always due to brand name alone, but, have any of you seen this setup? Click to Enlarge 49.17 KB Click to Enlarge 39.56 KB Click to Enlarge 43.91 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbinspect Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Very common. Especially in Ryan Homes around that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 I don't recall seeing a FPE Stab-Lok panel in a home quite that recent, but that's not to say that it wasn't an older panel (possibly unused) installed in the home. Nonetheless, the Stab-Lok series breaker is the issue, not the age. In fact, they were installed in earlier panels under different names such as No-Ark. But I suspect you know it's a problem already--regardless of the presumed age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Jones Posted January 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 I am guessing this was some left over stuff the builder had. 1986 just seems a little late for an FPE/Stab Lok installation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbinspect Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 It's always fun trying to remove the cover without tripping breakers on those panels. [:-gnasher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 When the original FPE went out of business, the plant manager and a bunch of employees bought up the remaining stock and the rights and they continued to sell FPE products until just a few years ago when that class action lawsuit was initiated. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 When the original FPE went out of business, the plant manager and a bunch of employees bought up the remaining stock and the rights and they continued to sell FPE products until just a few years ago when that class action lawsuit was initiated. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Wasn't that law suit in New Jersey only? Is it still active? I only remember it vaguely (one of the side benefits of aging). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 1986 just seems a little late for an FPE/Stab Lok installation. That's right about when they closed up shop. There's plenty of those around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Wasn't that law suit in New Jersey only? Is it still active? I only remember it vaguely (one of the side benefits of aging). I was asked to give a deposition for the plaintiffs attorney. About 3 months later I called the attorney for some info and he told me the suit was settled out of court and the settlement was 'sealed'. No further info available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie R Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 The class action suit in New Jersey found FPE guilty and New Jersey residents had until 2005 to file a claim. You can read it here - http://www.inspectapedia.com/fpe/FPEnotice12-05.htm Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 The 'settlement' was sealed. How much did each 'claim' get paid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Davenport Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 I installed FPE panels,switchgear, and meterstacks in apartment complexes in 1983/1984. Apartments still there. FPE panels, and meterstacks still there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 That's another subject altogether. We have many apartments that were converted to condos and some condo/townhouse developments that were built with FPE. Of course I recommend my client have the panel replaced, but when I show them the meter room and see 30 other main disconnects with FPE on them, I really don;t know if replacing one will really help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Home Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 Are ALL FPE stab-loc breaker bad? I see them often in here in Canada. Even in new homes... built by some high end builders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 New Homes? FPE went out of business and stopper production in the mid-80's and the staff bought up the stock and continued to sell it. I doubt that you're seeing it in new homes unless the builders got a hell of a deal on 25-year new-old-stock equipment. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Home Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 I heard they moved operations to Canada. The name changed from Federal Pacific to Federal Pioneer. And, yes I have inspected many new (under 1 yr old) with these panels. More on this here... http://www.inspectapedia.com/fpe/Federal_Pioneer_Panel_Safety.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hi, Thanks for that link. It looks like Schneider Electric must have bought the rights and has resumed production on the other side of the border. I guess the Stab-Lok story is about to play out a new chapter. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Home Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 Yup... I AlWAYS recommend (in writing) that the panel be replaced. But verbally, I explain the entire story and leave the final decision to the buyers. No one so far has backed out of the deal or replaced the panel. But again the real estate market is HOT in Toronto (still). Houses are being sold for more than the asking price in the dead of winter!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspector37620 Posted January 31, 2010 Report Share Posted January 31, 2010 Market will be hotter when those panels light up. Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted January 31, 2010 Report Share Posted January 31, 2010 FYI...... Schneider Elec also bought Square-D a couple of years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted January 31, 2010 Report Share Posted January 31, 2010 I have seen recent replacement Stab-Lok type breakers made in China. How's that for confidence inspiring...a Chinese clone of a defective original! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msteger Posted January 31, 2010 Report Share Posted January 31, 2010 I have seen recent replacement Stab-Lok type breakers made in China. How's that for confidence inspiring...a Chinese clone of a defective original! That means those replacement Stab-Lok breakers are defective for two reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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