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Book NowYou can be relaxing in your home and be unaware that there could be a severe fire risk. Your home’s electrical panel ensures there’s a safe flow of power. But if your home has a Federal Pacific electrical panel, it should be replaced to avoid electrical fires.
At Monkey Wrench, our team of electricians has years of experience replacing old electrical panels all over Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. We’ve seen how a new electrical panel can give homeowners peace of mind when it comes to using electronics.
The Stab-Lok circuit breaker panels from the Federal Pacific Electrical (FPE) company are common in many homes, but many experts agree they should be replaced. By the end of this article, you’ll know what an FPE panel is, why it should be replaced, and its costs and benefits.
What Is a Federal Pacific Electrical Panel?
Federal Pacific Electrical Company was a manufacturer of electrical products, including Stab-Lok panels. Like most electrical panels, the Stab-Lok model is a series of breakers that control the flow of electricity into certain parts of a home. They were commonly installed in millions of homes from the 1950s up to the 1980s.
Here’s a quick summary of how the Stab-Lok panel from FPE Company works.
- Receives power from powerline poles from outside
- Distributes that electrical power throughout different circuits of your home through wiring
- The electrical panel contains breakers to protect the circuits.
- When a circuit overloads or short circuits, the breakers trip (turn off) to minimize the risk of an electrical fire.
Now that you have some context into how the Federal Pacific electrical panels operate, we can highlight why this specific brand of electrical breaker panels should be replaced.
Why Should I Replace My Federal Pacific Electrical Panel?
The main issue with the FPE Stab-Lok panels is that they can be defective and not trip when an overload or short circuit occurs.
By failing to turn off the flow of electricity, homes with these panels have a much higher risk of electrical fire, especially if they are really old houses. These findings were first reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1983.
Older and newer homes have higher electrical loads due to increased technology. Furthermore, they require modern panels that can handle all the electrical output instead of the Federal Pacific electrical panels manufactured over 40 years ago.
Even if you’re planning to sell your home, you’ll need to have the Stab-Lok electrical panel replaced since it doesn’t meet current standards set by the National Electrical Code.
Once you understand the reasons for replacing the Federal Pacific electrical panel, it’s time to consider the costs.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace My Federal Pacific Electrical Panel?
Federal Pacific electrical Stab-Lok panel replacement costs vary from company to company, but the average price range is between $1,500 and $4,000. Many factors play a role in determining the final price.
Those factors include,
- Permit Fees: Electrical panel replacements in Los Angeles require a permit from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). The price varies depending on the amperage of the panel.
- Amperage Upgrade: In order to handle modern electrical demands, you may need to pay extra to upgrade the amp capability of your existing Stab-Lok panel.
- Wiring upgrade: Although not always the case, your home’s wiring may also need an upgrade. This can increase the costs from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on the wiring upgrade required.
Labor costs from an electrician are usually included in the final price. Getting a detailed invoice can help break down the costs that add up to get a final cost on the Federal Pacific electrical upgrade price.
So now you’ve committed to replacing the panel and understand the pricing, but are there any other benefits?
Benefits of Replacing Federal Pacific Electrical Panel
Replacing your home’s current Federal Pacific electrical panel is beneficial and provides peace of mind. Here’s a closer look at the full benefits.
- Reduces fire hazard
- Complies with the National Electrical Code
- Improves your home’s electrical reliability
- Accommodates your home’s electrical loads
The benefits of replacing a Stab-lok panel far outweigh the cons.
Up to Speed With Federal Pacific Electrical Panel
Today’s homes have plenty of appliances and technology installed and require the right electrical panel to support them. However, a Federal Pacific electrical panel may put your home at a fire risk. Now that you know the importance of replacing an FPE panel, you can feel assured knowing that your home’s electrical is kept under check.
From wiring to circuit breaker replacements, our electricians at Monkey Wrench have plenty of experience dealing with home electrical systems. Since 2007, we’ve replaced hundreds of panels all over Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s electrical panel, contact us using the button below. You can also book directly through our online electrical services scheduler.
