 |
|
 |
Federal Pacific Circuit Breakers Federal Pacific Circuit BreakersNJ home inspectors find Federal Pacific Circuit Breakers equipment during many home inspections they perform in New Jersey. All knowledgeable home inspectors that I know let clients know there are real and or persevered safety issues with some Federal Pacific Circuit Breakers panels, products and circuit breakers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission indicated "There is no question but that the FPE Stab-Lok panels should be replaced. There is no practical and safe alternative." (quote was taken from the bottom of page 16 of the document located at http://cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/meetings/mtg08/Alumwire3_18.pdf . It is true electrical contractors also earn their living performing replacement of electrical equipment, however it would now appear changing the panels and circuit breakers is a good idea. As far as I know Federal Pacific and one other brand are the only two most electrical contractors have a problem with. Of course other brands have had manufacturing defects from time to time. Many home buyers, home owners and realtors demand to know if it is NECESSARY to replace Federal Pacific circuit breakers. I would look to the Consumer Product Safety Commission for the definite answer to that question. On the other hand one would hate to spend $1500 or so replacing an electrical panel only to find the new buyer is putting an addition on the home that will require the new panel to be relocated. My best guess is any home inspector, realtor, home owner or electrical contractor who tells anyone the circuit breakers "are safe" can be sued for saying so if a problem ever occurs. There are not always clear answers to questions. NJ home inspectors provide you with their best guess based upon their experience. Of course home buyers who hire inexperienced NJ home inspectors can be at a real disadvantage. Those who have Federal Pacific Circuit breakers in their home should be aware it is very likely the buyers home inspector and electrical contractor will tell their clients the Federal Pacific equipment may be unsafe and just because it may be unsafe it should be replaced. As far as I know there is no available testing method that will test circuit breakers so they can be tested to see if they are safe or not that is not destructive and more costly than replacing the equipment. After Federal Pacific Circuit Breakers (or other brands) are tested in a lab in order to determine when the circuit breakers fail after testing circuit breakers can no longer be considered safe for use. Thus after testing the circuit breakers must be replaced. Therefore why test the circuit breakers if they are going to have to be replaced anyway. Until FPE circuit breakers are removed and replaced the stigma of having them in the home will continue to come back to the home sellers and realtors until the realize the continued stigma that will stay attached to the home until the Federal Pacific Circuit Breakers are replaced. Out of production for many years Federal Pacific Circuit Breakers are they are hard to find and expensive if found in new condition. While buying used circuit breakers is tempting even if found real cheap on auction sites one must keep in mind if the circuit breakers are not brand new you will have no idea as to their conditions and may be replacing a safe circuit breaker with a defective one. That would not be good at all. Over time other circuit breaker manufacturers have recalled their circuit breakers at various times. Counterfeit circuit breakers are also in circulation that are near identical to the name brand ones. Although Federal Pacific Circuit Breakers are considered harmful only by some there are many who beg to differ however the Consumer Product Safety Commission should be considered the authority. I have not met an electrical contractor who will put in writing they are safe and will trip when needed to avoid a house fire. If I were buying or selling a home I would replace them in order to sleep better at night knowing I may have reduced the risk of a house fire. Most people do not know a circuit breaker is designed ONLY to stop the wires from overheating. GFCI's and AFCI's are life safety devices installed to keep you safe, to avoid fires and electric shock.
|
