Certain electrical panels are dangerous for reasons of fire or shock hazard. Some of which have been recalled, others not recalled but are known to be potentially dangerous for various reasons. Still other panels are simply outdated. Below is a simple list of panels or breakers which are of concern. Each section includes how they can be identified, what potential problems they may bring about and what we can do to correct the issue(s).

If you open your panel and see any of these names, you may want to take action as soon as possible.

                Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok – Fire Hazard

                Zinsco, GTE Sylvania-Zinsco, Sylvania, Sylvania-Zinsco – Fire and Shock Hazard

                Challenger panels or breakers – Fire and Shock Hazard

                Pushmatic – Outdated/Expensive technology

See below for more specific details about the nature of each of these names. Most of these names come with a strong recommendation for panel replacement.

• Fire hazard: these breakers are known to not trip in overcurrent situations. This means that too much current can be passing through this breaker and it will not disengage.
• Identification: These breakers have a red stripe on them. The panel cover may also be stamped with FPE or Stab-lok or Federal Pacific, or Federal Pioneer.
• Solution: These panels should be replaced. The breakers themselves can still be purchased from various locations however they are not UL-Listed and do not meet the Under Writers Laboratory Standards. CPI Electric carries a supply of them for service call related items, however we strongly recommend replacement of the entire panel.

• Fire Hazard: These breakers are known to be poorly connected to their respective bus work. This results in burning and pitting and corrosion of the bus work. It also happens sometimes that these breakers can melt into the bus bar.
• Shock Hazard: The breakers can continue to conduct electricity despite looking like they are switched off.
• Identification: A lot of times the name is worn off on these panels but the breakers are usually pretty easy to spot. They come in many different colors, a different color for each wattage rating. However sometimes they are black.
• Solution: These panels should be replaced. The breakers can still be purchased from various locations. CPI Electric holds onto breakers and keeps a small supply in stock for service calls. However, we regularly come across pitted and burnt bus work upon removing a breaker from its slot. Every now and then, simply removing the breaker during a service call can result in bus work crumbing.

• Fire Hazard: In a certain time frame back in the 80’s these Challenger Breakers were manufactured with a component that can fail and result in melting and fire hazard.
• Shock Hazard: Some of the panels have been recalled due to easily accessible parts that increase the risk of shock
• Identification: The name Challenger should appear somewhere on the panel and/or the breakers. The breakers also have a unique font on them that doesn’t match their Type BR counterparts.
• Solution: These breakers should be replaced. They can be replaced with a Type BR breaker. If indeed you have one of the panels that poses shock hazard, we recommend replacement of the panel, they have been recalled. But at the very least to remove the fire hazard, the breakers should all be replaced.

• Outdated technology: These panels do not necessarily have a fire hazard associated with them. However, they are outdated and purchasing breakers for them can be problematic or expensive. CPI Electric does carry a few on hand from panels that we’ve replaced in the past.
• Identification: These breakers are probably the easiest to identify in that they are not a switch that flips to disengage the flow of current, they are a button that can be pressed or depressed to engage or disengage the circuit.

• Any signs of Rust, Corrosion, Melting, Burning, or Pest Damage are good reasons to replace a panel. These things can contribute to, or are signs of, fire hazard.
• Poor panel location is another potential reason to get an electrician involved. Insufficient working space in front of a panel is a potential for shock hazard. We’ve seen panels installed in bathrooms or other wet locations, this is an unsafe condition and is against current National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
• Upgrades and resale value. Upgrading to a larger panel with the same load is seen quite often during remodel situations. Or when a homeowner, or home flipper, is going through and upgrading the amenities to a home, getting rid of a old run-down panel is potentially a huge selling point.