Electrical experts: How dangerous are Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) circuits?

[markn_1]

Washington Post

FPE Stab-Lok breakers may be responsible for as many as 2,800 fires, 13 deaths and $40 million in property damage every year.

NBC Bay Area

After years of researching the issues with Federal Pacific circuit breakers, Aronstein believes they are responsible for approximately 2,000 fires nationwide each year.

Angie’s List:

An estimated 2,800 fires each year directly result from Federal Pacific panel breaker malfunction.

A number of similar cites are easily found. I think they are mostly referencing this study, although I don’t have access to it to see exactly what it says.

Here is the Consumer Products Safety Commission report from 1983. They closed their investigation without determining whether the panels were safe or not, which seems bizarre to me. I don’t fully understand what happened there.

[swampspruce]

Good to hear, Pullin. Glad we sent you on the right path. Now about some of your other life choices, we suggest…