The danger of one's home catching fire is without a doubt, a concern that most homeowners have. We often feel that angst when we are away from home, and our four-legged children are left alone. I worry far less about my possessions than I do their lives. With this in mind, we do everything we can to safeguard our home from every potential threat of a fire.
We install smoke detectors, double check all appliances, and turn off most lights. Some have their security systems tied into the local fire department which can monitor and get help there even if you are away.
There is one potential threat of fire lurking in your home, and you may be completely unaware. A brand of panel boxes by the name of Federal Pacific was constructed and installed in homes from the 1960s through 1980s. They used a proprietary breaker called "Stab-Lok". The name was indicative of the way the breakers would seat on the buss bar. The design is less important than the risk this breaker system imposes on unsuspecting homeowners.
This picture gives you an idea of what can happen when the breaker fails to trip and causes a surge in power. These panels are widely regarded as a fire, and electrical safety hazard, dangerous for a number of reasons. Over the years I’ve personally seen Federal Pacific breakers fail to trip when they had a solid short circuit, and I’ve seen handles in the off position and found the breaker was actually on, with the circuit live. Either condition can kill a person or start a house fire.
It’s hard to overstate how serious a problem these panels and breakers can be. If you own one, replacing it is likely one of the biggest safety improvements you can make.
The cost to replace these boxes with all new breakers will vary depending on the location of the breaker box relative to the service coming into the home. Most run between $1000-$2000.
If you see this in your home, do not delay in getting it replaced. If you need help finding a local electrical contractor to do the work, I'd be happy to provide you some references.
