

Federal Pacific panels are well documented & tested to have high failure rate. The primary issue is that the breakers fail to trip when overloaded almost 50% of the time as proven by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Independent investigations link over 2,800 house fires and more than 1 dozen deaths EVERY YEAR to defective Federal Pacific Electrical Panels.
Federal Pacific Electric Panels are deemed to be “recalled panels’, virtually all Building Departments in Northeast Ohio will not allow modifications or new circuits to be added to a Federal Pacific Electric Panel.
Many insurance companies will not insure homes with Federal Pacific Panels present in them.

Federal Pacific Panel in Parma Ohio

Federal Pacific Panel in Chagrin Falls Ohio

Federal Pacific Electric Panel in Cleveland Ohio
Federal Pacific Electrical Panels were installed all throughout the Greater Cleveland, Akron, and Northeast Ohio throughout the 1950’s-1980’s. These panels were very common on new construction in that era, as well as during remodels and when fuse boxes were replaced in pre-1960’s homes.
Federal Pacific Panels are easy to distinguish from other panels. Generally, the label will say either “Federal Pacific” “FPE” or “Stab-Lok” on it. Additionally, the red breakers are a very distinctive characteristic of Federal Pacific Electrical Panels.
First off – Don’t panic. While a Federal Pacific Electric Panel is certainly a safety issue & fire hazard in your home, the good news is that replacing it with a modern, compliant electric panel is a straightforward and quick process. Despite the fact that the Federal Pacific panel has been in your home for decades without any issues, this is not a problem that you want to ignore & hope for the best. Most electrical systems have no reason for the breakers to trip, however when they do, you need to be able to trust that the heart of your home’s electrical system, the electrical panel, is doing its job to protect your home and the safety of your family.
It’s difficult to provide a definitive cost because there are many types of electrical panels that vary in capabilities and features. For example, a business that is buying and having a commercial electrical panel installed is going to pay far more than a homeowner who is replacing their old box. For most homes, the costs can range anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on what type of panel it is and where it’s being installed.
We highly recommend leaving this job to a professional, as working with wiring and electricity can be extremely dangerous without the right experience. You may pay more for installation, but you’ll know that the job is done right. At Connected Electrical, we use only professional, licensed electricians who are committed to a stellar customer service experience at every job.
If you’re unsure about if you might need a new electrical panel or simply want us to perform maintenance, call Connected Electrical today at 216-238-5314 in the Greater Cleveland area, 330-574-4282 in the Akron/Youngstown area or 614-820-5485 in the Columbus Metro Area.
We offer virtual estimates for most of our electrical services–simply send us some photos or have a video chat with a member of our team. We’ll provide you with everything you need to make an informed decision by email, call or text within 48 hours…without us ever having to step foot in your home before service.
Click here to learn more about virtual estimates or give us a call today to schedule an in-person consultation.