Federal Pacific breaker panels, circuit breakers and fuses
16 reports to CPSC, the latest made Feb 1, 2019. A report isn’t a recall.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.
At a glance
From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.
- 16reports to CPSC
- Feb 1, 2019the latest report was made
- Jul 14, 2011the earliest
- 0with the company’s comments
- Brand
- Federal Pacific
- Makers
- AMERICAN CIRCUIT BREAKER CORPORATION and FEDERAL PACIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKERSMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Breaker panels, circuit breakers and fusesIncluding GFCIsCPSC’s product type: Panelboards, Circuit Breakers, Gfci”s, or Fuses (code 4063), in Home Maintenance and Structures: Electrical Systems
Other ways the reports write the brand (5)
“Federal Pacific Electic / STAB-LOC”, “Federal Pacific Electric (FPE)”, “Federal Pacific Electric Company Stab Lok”, “Federal Pacific Electrical” and “Federal Pacific Electrical Panel”
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| February 2019 | 1 |
| June 2017 | 1 |
| May 2017 | 1 |
| August 2015 | 1 |
| June 2015 | 1 |
| March 2015 | 1 |
| February 2015 | 1 |
| January 2015 | 1 |
| May 2014 | 1 |
| February 2014 | 1 |
| August 2013 | 1 |
| June 2013 | 1 |
| February 2013 | 1 |
| January 2013 | 1 |
| December 2011 | 1 |
| July 2011 | 1 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- No one hurt 12 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
- No incident, no one hurt 1 CPSC: No Incident, No Injury
- Not said 3 CPSC: Unspecified
As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.
The reports, as CPSC published them
Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.
Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
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No one hurt Made Feb 1, 2019, sent to the company Mar 14, 2019, published by CPSC Apr 4, 2019
The product, in the report: Federal Pacific Electric Company Gray Stab Lok Circuit Breaker Panel Box, rectangular in size, with original label from when manufactured.
I filed one report, but cannot find it on the web site. So, I am filing the report again. Our family had the horror of being a home with a Federal Pacific Electric Company circuit breaker panel box. It dated from a previous owner add-on in the early 1960s, and by the 1990s, spot outlet fires began to occur. Audible hums from the walls and dimming of lights while those had occurred, along with flickering lights when the washing machine was running were thought of as strange, but not anything was thought to be coming from the circuit breaker panel box.
This changed, however, when in December 2016, a burning odor began emanating from the circuit breaker panel box itself when an upright vacuum cleaner was in use, and later on, when a circuit breaker had tripped, and an electrical burning odor was noticed. The circuit appeared to not have functioned properly. Power was out to certain parts of the house, but the burning odor was there. No flames were noted.
However, a power strip in an adjacent room had partially melted and had black scorch marks.
Two electricians in 2006 had identified faulty circuit breakers, but replaced them with used Federal Pacific circuit breakers.
This time, in 2016, a good electrician had recognized the name Federal Pacific, and knew that the breakers and the panel box had to be removed and replaced.
I had looked on the Internet and had found that there was a dark history to that company and that we now knew why all of the previous events had happened. The Consumer Product Safety Commission had investigated the company from 1980 to 1983, and found that they had falsified testing results in the early 1950s to skirt around getting an Underwriters Laboratories seal of approval.
According to reliable sources on the Internet, including news clips from NBC San Francisco and NBC New York City, WNBC-TV, Angie’s List, and electrician websites, these products are in 28 million American homes and were manufactured up until 1988 and installed in homes as late as the early 1990s. Ours was from the 1960s era. A formal recall was never issued, due to budget constraints with the CPSC in 1983. An amended statement was issued in 2011 by the CPSC.
According to the information on the news reports and websites, 2,800 fires and 13 deaths each year are attributed in the United States to these products. It is my belief that, even though the company is defunct and has been for 30 years, that the CPSC should issue a press release to widely publicize the removal of these hazardous products from American homes and wherever else they might be found. One reference on the Internet indicated that some older schools have these still in use.
Why jeopardize any lives, when the facts are known? These products need to be removed and not used ever again. Ours was removed, but saved for proof that it was there. I have called the CSPC and they have told me that since the company no longer exists, that a recall cannot be issued. But, surely, better publicity could be done to inform the public that might not have tracked this down on the Internet that these products were intentionally made to be defective and have caused property and human loss. That is inexcusable, especially since the company is defunct. No risks of reprisals or lawsuits, such as they had feared in the early 1980s, when the company was still in existence. It is time for action to alert the public about the dangerous legacy that this company left behind. We ourselves were unaware until December 2016 of the dangers and it went a long way in explaining what had happened with the previous incidents as well.
I am electrically sensitive, and I believe that the faulty product had effects on my nervous system over the years. These products should be made known to be faulty and removed and replaced with safe equipment, as ours was, with Murray Siemens in our case. This is an unusual case, as the company is out of business, but their products are still causing property damage, loss, and loss of human life, according to Internet and television reports.
- Model
- Stab Lok
- UPC
- Not Applicable
- Serial number
- Unknown
- Bought from
- Came with house.
- Bought
- Jan 1, 1963, about then
- Where
- Gardena, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 44, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific Electric Company Stab Lok, made or sold by AMERICAN CIRCUIT BREAKER CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jun 7, 2017, sent to the company Aug 15, 2017, published by CPSC Sep 5, 2017
The product, in the report: Federal Pacific Panel
I homeowner noticed smoke coming from an outlet. The Fire Department responded and saw an outlet and the box on fire. The circuit breaker did not trip. The panel is a Federal Pacific brand.
Why have these panels not been recalled???/
- Where
- Ware, Massachusetts: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific Electrical Panel, made or sold by AMERICAN CIRCUIT BREAKER CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made May 16, 2017, sent to the company Jul 21, 2017, published by CPSC Aug 4, 2017
The product, in the report: Federal Pacific Stab lock panel and breakers
Found a melted down Federal Pacific panel in a residence. Breaker failed to trip causing the main service cable to melt down along with the breaker. The wire reached temperatures hot enough to weld the main lug to the copper wire. Active sparking and glowing wires when arriving at the property.
- Where
- Republic, Washington: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific, made or sold by AMERICAN CIRCUIT BREAKER CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Aug 31, 2015, sent to the company Sep 9, 2015, published by CPSC Sep 23, 2015
The product, in the report: Federal Pacific Electric (FPE)
1. My sister was renting my condo from May 2013 to August 2014. During that time, a ceiling mounted track lighting fixture with four lights “blew up”. She also reported having repeated electrical problems with kitchen outlets not working. No irregular use. No Injuries. 2. I moved into my condo in August 2014. I also experienced kitchen outlets not working. Also my FPE box has loose circuit breakers. One of them was so loose, that when turned back on, the outlets connected to that circuit, remained dead for several minutes. The FPE box would cause that circuit to fail. I therefore replaced my panel box in June 2015.
- Model
- 112-24-150
- Serial number
- BH-054997
- Bought
- Jan 1, 2000, about then
- Where
- Bellevue, Washington: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 51, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Other Relative
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific Electric (FPE), made or sold by AMERICAN CIRCUIT BREAKER CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jun 18, 2015, sent to the company Jun 26, 2015, published by CPSC Jul 20, 2015
The product, in the report: Federal Pacific circuit breaker cat no. LX 108-16 BW-114013 Class CTL
We have a Federal Pacific Circuit Breaker that keeps tripping and when we flip the switch, there is a spark and it’s hot. I want to know if it’s safe.
- Where
- Melbourne, Florida: Other Public Property/
Office - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific, made or sold by AMERICAN CIRCUIT BREAKER CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Mar 10, 2015, sent to the company Mar 18, 2015, published by CPSC Apr 8, 2015
The product, in the report: Federal Pacific circuit breaker
Person was sleeping when dehumidifier plugged into wall “exploded. Smoke started pouring from plug. Electrical problems appeared all over the house. A computer was “fried”. Power was shut off at a central location. Electrician repaired the damage costing about $3,000, including new copper main wire, and anew distribution panel. He attributed the problem to failure of a circuit breaker which he identified as being made by Federal Pacific. The event occurred while three people were sleeping.
- Where
- Boerne, Texas: Mobile/
Manufactured Home - Who was involved
- Age 30, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific, made or sold by FEDERAL PACIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Not said Made Feb 27, 2015, sent to the company Mar 11, 2015, published by CPSC Apr 1, 2015
The product, in the report: FPE, Federal Pacific Electrical breaker panel
On a recent Friday night my wife and I went out and for some local shopping, stopping for dinner on the way home. When we came into the house, a strong burning & ozone smell was very noticeable. The odor was much stronger in the kitchen area. My first thought was the refrigerator compressor motor was going bad and we’d have to shop for a new refrigerator this weekend. I started to air out the house and confirm the problem. The refrigerator was fine, the aroma stronger under the cooktop. Still not seeing a source, I tripped the breakers for the kitchen, cooktop, oven, and the refrigerator, along with the lights. Isolate power for an electrical fire, shipboard damage control training still applies. We phoned the fire department and explained the situation. A truck rolled and the crew investigated, took temperatures with electronic sensors and again didn’t identify a problem. The crew leader asked me to cut all power to the house and schedule an electrician. Saturday we were able to get Zapp Electric to send a crew to the house. After several hours, they found the problem, the insta hot water heater under the sink. Deep inside its insulation it was still sizzling hot. The power cord and the outlet it was plugged into had melted insulation. The outlet had signs of electrical arcs and was replaced.
Federal Pacific Electric panel failed to trip breaker.
- Model
- out of business
- Bought
- Jan 1, 1979
- Where
- San Diego, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific Electrical, made or sold by AMERICAN CIRCUIT BREAKER CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
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Not said Made Jan 8, 2015, sent to the company Jan 22, 2015, published by CPSC Feb 12, 2015
The product, in the report: federal pacific circuit breaker
my federal pacific circuit breaker box has caused power outages in part of my home, flickering lights, and overheating outlets, putting my home, pets, and family in danger of a fire.
- Where
- Unspecified: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific, made or sold by AMERICAN CIRCUIT BREAKER CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
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No one hurt Made May 21, 2014, sent to the company May 30, 2014, published by CPSC Jun 20, 2014
The product, in the report: Circuit breaker
House fire caused by defective Federal Pacific Circuit Breaker
- Where
- College Park, Georgia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 57, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific, made or sold by FEDERAL PACIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Feb 19, 2014, sent to the company Mar 24, 2014, published by CPSC Apr 7, 2014
The product, in the report: breaker box 15 amps
(2/2009/The consumer stated that the breaker was knocking out most of the appliances over the years. The consumer stated that she did not know what was going. She would go out and get a new appliance.
The breaker also trips the power in the home. Every now and then, when something is plugged in, the consumer stated that the smoke detector will go out. Certain outlets in the house cause some of the appliances to go out.
(11/25/2013) The landlord had an electrician come out and increase the amps.
The consumer stated that she have been in the house for twelve. The house was built in 1979. The same box has been in the house since 1979.
- Model
- BX631155
- Bought from
- builder
- Where
- Lancaster, Texas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific, made or sold by FEDERAL PACIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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Not said Made Aug 30, 2013, sent to the company Sep 10, 2013, published by CPSC Oct 1, 2013
The product, in the report: Federal Pacific Panels and STAB-LOC breakers
In September of 2006 I began a remod of my home. While changing out light fixtures I became aware of a CIRCUIT BREAKER that, when switched off, did not disconnect the circuit. I purchased a replacement and installed it.
In October of 2012 I was informed that my breakers, FPE STAB-LOC, were sub-standard and unsafe. ( Our housing complex maintenance dept. WEB-SEARCH )
An electrician came to my home and tested my breakers. One 15 amp breaker would not trip when and excessive load was applied.
My panel was replaced with [REDACTED] equipment.
My duplex “other half” was inspected visually. Its breaker panel contained breakers with significant “CHARRING” around the bus contact areas. The panel was replaced.
All removed equipment was Federal Pacific Electric with STAB-LOC breakers.
Our duplex was constructed in 1987.
- Model
- I don’t know
- Where
- SAN JOSE, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific Electic /
STAB-LOC, made or sold by FEDERAL PACIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS - How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
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No incident, no one hurt Made Jun 19, 2013, sent to the company Jul 25, 2013, published by CPSC Aug 8, 2013
The product, in the report: Breakers Panel board #AX-653485
Caller is reporting breakers that are in a house where his girlfriend lived at one time. He is aware after being informed by others who lived in the split level house twenty five years ago that the breakers were faulty at that time and are still considered a danger. His girlfriend no longer lives in the house and he is reporting because he said his conscience would give him no peace if he did not report the breakers and someone living there was injured in a fire resulting from the faulty wiring, breakers and box. The breakers do not flip the power off when they are overloaded and there is electrical tape over them to keep them closed. He does not have the model numbers of the breakers. He has contacted various county officials who have rebuffed him and advised him that only zoning can assist him. He states that zoning and the county officials contacted are afraid of the owner of the home because he owns over ninety homes in the area. He is asking that someone look at the breakers and estimate the safety level for use of them.
- Model
- F124-40
- Serial number
- Unknown
- Bought from
- In home vacated, Pennsylvania
- Where
- Lewistown, Pennsylvania: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- made or sold by FEDERAL PACIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- No Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Feb 11, 2013, sent to the company Feb 21, 2013, published by CPSC Mar 8, 2013
The product, in the report: Electrical Circuit Breaker
Federal Pacific Electric panel. C120-30N1 is the model number. The breaker went out for the dryer. Electrician came over and identified the panel as a dangerous Federal Pacific Electric panel. The gentleman could not do anything regarding repair. Would be $3200 to replace. We do not have the money. I live in a dangerous house.
- Model
- C120-30N1
- Where
- Wilmore, Kentucky: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific, made or sold by FEDERAL PACIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jan 9, 2013, sent to the company Jan 28, 2013, published by CPSC Feb 19, 2013
The product, in the report: Federal Pacific Stab Lok Electric Panel Circuit Breaker
Our realtor informed us that we would need to change our Federal Pacific Stab Lok electric panel circuit breaker box in order to put our house on the market. We contacted an electrician. He confirmed that these panels are “deadly” and “scare” him. We will need to replace the unit. However, this item continues to be sold on-line even though the manufacturing is no longer in business. There has never been a recall for the product and consumers are spending significant dollar amounts out of their own pockets to replace these malfunctioning circuit breakers.
- Where
- Madison, Wisconsin: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific, made or sold by AMERICAN CIRCUIT BREAKER CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Dec 6, 2011, sent to the company Dec 14, 2011, published by CPSC Dec 29, 2011
The product, in the report: It’s a Federal PAcific Stab-lok panel for aluminum wiring. The # on the box is 945776
The other night, our electric [REDACTED] dryer overheated/caught fire and filled the basement with smoke. The smoke alarm alerted us to this danger. When we went into the laundry room, the dryer was still running and the air was thick with smoke. The dryer was too hot to touch on any of the metal surfaces (sides and top). We opened the door to stop the cycle and yanked out the clothes which were also too hot to touch. In retrospect, that was probably the wrong thing to do in case they had actually been in flames. Most likely, lint got on the elements and burned.
However, the dryer KEPT RUNNING even after it overheated/caught fire. We had to unplug it with a pot holder. The breaker DID NOT TRIP. We now know that it is probably because we have Federal Pacific stab-lok panel #945776.
My concern is that the purpose of the circuit breaker is to stop the electricity to an overheated or burning appliance to stop the electricity. In this case that did not happen. I have no way of knowing if this will ever happen again or if I am in constant danger b/c the panel does not alert us to the danger that is there.
- Serial number
- 945776
- Where
- Ballwin, Missouri: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 5, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Child
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific, made or sold by FEDERAL PACIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- Reports CPSC links to it
- 20111208-2E79C-1218747
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jul 14, 2011, published by CPSC Aug 4, 2011
The product, in the report: Federal Pacific 30A dual pole 220v breaker failed early. It would trip at 19 1/2 amps instead of the 30A it was rated for
Federal Pacific dual pole 220v 30A breaker started tripping when running the clothes dryer. Checked the dryer and it was fine. A current probe on the wire going to the breaker showed that the breaker was tripping at 19 1/2 amps of current being drawn.
Address given is the address of the house. We have moved since then.
Also, we have had that Federal Pacific panel removed from that house and replaced after reading all the horror stories about how many fires they have started.
- Model
- Circuit breaker - 30A
- Bought from
- unknown - came with house
- Where
- Lewisville, Texas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Federal Pacific, made or sold by FEDERAL PACIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
CPSC’s disclaimer
Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.
Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.