Did you know that older electrical panels can be a dangerous fire hazard and should be replaced? Unsafe electrical panels are typically identified during a home inspection, however, they are sometimes missed. Additionally, people living in the same home for many years may unknowingly have a high-risk panel. In this article we’ll provide details on what to look for to identify unsafe panels, so that you can take appropriate action if necessary.
Electrical panels, also commonly referred to as “breaker boxes”, distribute electricity from your main power line to various circuits throughout your home. Breakers inside the panel are designed to limit the amount of electricity that is distributed on a circuit. You’re probably familiar with this, as too much electricity on a circuit causes the breaker to “trip”. If a breaker doesn’t work correctly, excessive electricity running through the circuit can cause overheating and result in an electrical fire.
If you have an older electrical panel displaying warning signs, or a known faulty panel type, contact a licensed electrician right away. We recommend that panels over 30 years old be inspected by a licensed electrician proactively to ensure safety.
Warning signs that may indicate your panel needs to be replaced:
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- Burnt smell
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- Heat around the panel or breakers
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- Evidence of melting or scorching
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- Popping or crackling noises
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- Rust or corrosion
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- Lights flickering or dimming unexpectedly
Known Hazardous Panel Types
There are four older panel types that have been recalled or are known fire hazards. FPE panels are the most prevalent of these in Tucson.
1. Federal Pacific Electric (FPE)
Millions of FPE panels were installed throughout the United States from the 1950s through the 1980s. Many of these panels are still in homes today, and there are still a considerable number of them in the Tucson area. These breakers are known to fail to trip when overloaded, and have also been reported to send electricity through the circuit even while the breaker is in the “off” position.
To identify an FPE panel, look for “Federal Pacific Electric” or “FPE” stamped on the metal cover or a sticker inside of the panel that reads “Federal Pacific Electric” or “Stab-Loc”. FPE breakers typically also have a red or orange stripe on each switch (pictured below).
2. Zinsco
Zinsco panels were installed in the 1970s and have several dangerous design flaws. To identify a Zinsco panel, look for panels with the following names: “Zinsco”, “Sylvania”, “GTE-Sylvania”, “Sylvania-Zinsco”.
3. Challenger (Eaton/Cutler Hammer)
Challenger panels were installed in hundreds of thousands of homes throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. There is some controversy over the risk level of these panels, however, due to their age and reports of overheating professionals recommend replacing them. Challenger panels have “Challenger” stamped on the handle, door, or manufacturer label on the inside of the panel door.
4. Pushmatic
Pushmatic panels that were installed from 1950 through 1980 are now considered by industry experts to be outdated and in need of replacement. Instead of standard breaker switches, Pushmatic panels contain rectangular buttons that activate and deactivate the circuits. These old breakers are known to become increasingly unsafe as they age.
If you think you may need to have your panel replaced, contact an experienced licensed electrician to perform an inspection.
Authentic Electric specializes in electrical panel replacement and relocation, and would love to assist with the electrical safety of your southern Arizona home.
FPE Breakers – Notice the orange stripe on each switch
