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FPE -- The 'Bad' Panel?

I just ran across this post that I received from Google Alerts: http://www.nachi.org/forum/f19/federal-pacific-definitive-answer-44106/

There is no good information there yet (Saturday, October 10th) but I thought that everyone might want to watch this post.

Hopefully it will produce some good information and facts regarding Federal Pacific Panels.

This is what I received from Google:

Federal Pacific - The definitive answer - InterNACHI Message Board
By jfarsetta
By having insurance companies demand a inspection that identifies the problem. Then the insurance company sends a letter to the homeowner demanding that they upgrade or lose their coverage. ...I hate coming across a FP panel. I called out one and the electrician told the homeowner nothing was wrong with it. So now I'm hesitant. The home owner was not happy having to pay a electrician when according to the electrician nothing was wrong with it. ...
InterNACHI Message Board - http://www.nachi.org/forum/

Until then what do you say about FPE panels?

Posted by Mike Parks ESI, RBO ,RPI ,RIUI ,OMHI- Ohio on 10/10/2009 10:28 PM

Comments (6)

Electric Panels in the Home Buying Channel

ohio home inspector, fpe, federal pacific panels

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6 Comments on FPE -- The 'Bad' Panel?

OCT

I have heard about the FP panels and did some reading but it seems the feds don't have a problem with it and a lot of electricians don't either. I guess if the electrician says its good and the buyer accepts it, you have done your job by calling it out.

Some additional reading: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml83/83008.html

OCT

Mike,

Thanks for the information. This has always be a gray area when we report on this electrical box. Thanks again and may you have many happy inspections.

OCT

Here's some good reading from some very well known experts on the issue.

IS MY PANEL SAFE - Information All Home Owners Deserve to Know

OCT

That electrician was wrong.

FPEs have a well documented reputation. See the quote below from the paperwork I recieved from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, (I made an Freedom of information request a couple years ago).

The CPSC reports conclusion stated "A significant number of the breakers tested are defective and do not provide the required level of protection..." "..the breakers themselves may develop hazardous behavior in the form of severe overheating or self-incapacitation in the on condition. The high failure rate of these breakers indicates serious deficiencies in the FPE quality control procedures, their product testing, and the UL follow-up testing program. The system of checks and balances which is supposed to prevent products with these levels of defect from ever being installed in electrical systems has, in this instance failed."

I have no problem reporting on Federal Pacific Panels, t I will often say, "Yes you need to replace it, but it is usually less then 1% of the purchase price..."

As inspectors, the trick in my mind is to present repairs in perspective of the purchase price of a home.

OCT

When performing an inspection our first priority is to our client. How may systems have you inspected that were installed by a (insert contractor here) that were just plain wrong or unsafe? It happens all the time. There's plenty of documented proof that these panels have caused problems and it's our job to protect our client by providing them with this information.

Some additional reading.

FPE PDF file

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