FEDERAL PACIFIC PANELS
Do you have a Federal Pacific panel in your home? Keep reading for answers to the most frequently asked questions about Federal Pacific panels and breakers and what your options are.
Q: I have a Federal Pacific panel in my home, is it safe?
A: Electrical codes are constantly changing and updating to better protect consumers. While it is generally not a requirement to update wiring or panels that are out-of-date, the vast number of consumer complaints as well as the class-action lawsuit against Federal Pacific Electric has demonstrated an abundance of evidence suggesting that their panels are not safe. The panels are known to have manufacturing defects and even in perfect condition would not meet today’s safety standards. The breakers are known to fail and as a result pose a fire hazard.
Q: I need to add a breaker to my Federal Pacific Panel, is this possible?
A: Because the breakers and panels are no longer produced, purchasing verified parts can be problematic. While you may find parts online that claim to be compatible with Federal Pacific, or claim to be original parts from the company, this can be difficult to verify. Most reputable retailers will not stock these breakers. There are no reputable, current breakers which are compatible with these panels. At Highwire Electric, we guarantee the quality of our work and the parts we use which is why we will not install replacement breakers in Federal Pacific Panels.
Q: I am experiencing issues with my Federal Pacific panel, can they be fixed?
A: While there are some companies which may still service these panels, our universal recommendation is to have them completely removed and replaced. For the safety of our customers, we will ONLY replace these panels, we will not service one and leave it in your home.
Q: I would like to replace my Federal Pacific panel, how much will this cost?
A: The good news is that replacing a Federal Pacific panel is the same process as any other panel replacement or upgrade. Pricing will depend on the size of your panel (100, 150, or 200+ amps), how many breakers/circuits are on the panel, and whether or not you want to increase the amperage of your panel (for example going from 150 amps to 200 amps). The average cost to replace an electrical panel, depending on the above factors, is between $3,500-4,500. Upgrading a panel requires a service upgrade which is typically an additional $3,000-5,000.
If you have a Federal Pacific panel or another panel that needs to be replaced, call Highwire Electric for a customized estimate. Protect yourself and add value to your home by replacing your panel.
