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ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR

AFCIs ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS
ALUMINUM SECs & WIRING
ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS
AMPS & VOLTS DETERMINATION
AMPACITY - the LIMITING FACTOR
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS

BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS

Cadet & Encore Heater Recall
CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILURE
CIRCUIT BREAKER SIZE for A/C or HEAT PUMP
CIRCUIT BREAKER SIZE for A/C or HEAT PUMP
Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING
CUTLER HAMMER PANEL FIRE
CONDUIT, ELECTRICAL
CORROSION in ELECTRICAL PANELS
CORROSION & MOISTURE SOURCES in PANELS

DEFINITIONS of ELECTRICAL TERMS

DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS
  DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS - Aluminum Wiring
  DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS - FPE Zinsco

ELECTRIC HEAT
ELECTRIC METERS & METER BASES
ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE
ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY
ELECTRIC PANEL INSPECTION
ELECTRIC PANEL MOISTURE
Electric Power Frequency Table
ELECTRICAL BASICS

EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS

ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings

ELECTRICAL GENERATORS
ELECTRICAL GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION

FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARDS
FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARD SUMMARY

FPE FAILURE REPORTS
  FPE FIRE & FAILURE PHOTOS
  FPE FAILURE FIELD REPORTS

FPE HAZARD ARTICLES, STUDIES
  Summary of the FPE Stab-Lok Hazard
  FPE Fraud - Press Release
  FPE Fraud Stab-Lok SEC report
  FPE Exxon Scandal Article
  How to Repair FPE Stab-Lok
  FPE- Fires Waiting to Happen, Debate Waiting to End
  FPE Technical Report - Independent Research 2007
  FPE Technical Report - Independent Research 2011
  New Jersey FPE Class Action 2005
  FPE St Louis Seminar 2004
  Federal Pioneer Recall 1997
  EXXON Buys a Scandal 1980
  FPE HISTORIC DATES 1950-Present
  FPE Pre-1970 STAB-LOKS OK?

FPE HISTORY

FPE & FP IDENTIFICATION, HOW TO
  FPE STAB-LOK PANEL COVERS
  FEDERAL NOARK PANELS
  FEDERAL ELECTRIC PANELS
  FEDERAL PIONEER PANELS
  FPE PANEL DOOR LABELS
  FPE TOGGLE SWITCH
  FPE BREAKER ID PHOTOS
  FPE BREAKER LABELS
  HOW TO ID FPE IF NO LABELS
  FPE PANEL BUS DESIGNS
  FPE PANEL AGE MATTERS?
  OTHER FPE DEFECTS

FPE INCIDENTS, HOW TO REPORT

FPE INVESTIGATION CPSC Revised
FPE INVESTIGATION CPSC 1982
FPE INVESTIGATION CPSC 1983
FPE IAEI LETTER INACCURATE

FPE INVESTIGATION CPSC Revised
FPE INVESTIGATION CPSC 1982
FPE INVESTIGATION CPSC 1983
FPE HAZARD IAEI LETTER INACCURATE

FPE PANEL ADVICE for HOME BUYERS
FPE PANEL INSPECTION REPORTS

FP FEDERAL PIONEER in CANADA
  What Are Federal Pioneer Panel Concerns?
  Federal Pioneer Warranty Alert
  Federal Pioneer Electrical Circuit Breaker Recall
  Field Reports of Federal Pioneer Problems
  Other Federal Pioneer Concerns
  Are Recent Federal Pioneer Stab-Loks Safe?
  FEDERAL PIONEER PANELS

FPE REPAIR ELECTRICIANS

FPE REPLACEMENT BREAKERS
FPE REPLACEMENT PANELS
FPE REPLACEMENT PANEL COSTS
  CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ELECTRIC PANEL?

FPE Stab-Lok Panel Test Report
  FPE PANEL Test Performed
  FPE PANEL Test Results
  Photos of FPE Stab-Lok Panel
FPE SUB PANELS, RISK ASSESSMENT

FPE STAB-LOK: FIRES WAITING TO HAPPEN
  How Many Stab-Loks
  Stab-Lok Failure Rate
  Proper Repair
  Proving the Hazard
  Multiwire Circuits
  Single Pole Breakers
  Latent Safety Hazard
  Failure Reports
  Technical Reports

FPE Stab-Lok TECHNICAL REPORT
  FPE Stab-Lok Circuit Breaker Test Results
  CPSC Tests
  FPE Test Results
  Southwest Research Incorporated
  Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
  Recent Testing of Field Samples
  FPE Stab-Lok Combination Breaker/GFI
  Non-FPE Stab-Lok Breakers
  FPE Main Breakers
  FPE Stab-Lok Panels
  FPE Stab-Lok Panels with "Rule of Six" Configuration
  Hazardous Failure - an Example
  History of the FPE Problem
  Should FPE Panels be Replaced?
FPE Stab-Lok TECHNICAL REPORT-2004

FPE Stab-Lok Panel Test Report
  FPE PANEL Test Performed
  FPE PANEL Test Results
  Photos of FPE Stab-Lok Panel

FPE Stab-Lok Hazard Summary Page for Public Use

GENERATORS, ELECTRICAL
GFCI PROTECTION,Testing GFCIs AFCIs

HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEAT, ELECTRIC
HEAT TAPE USAGE GUIDE
Hertz - Definitions of KHz MHz GHz THz

KNOB & TUBE WIRING

LIGHTING, EXTERIOR GUIDE
LIGHTING, INTERIOR GUIDE
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS
LOW VOLTAGE BUILDING WIRING

MAIN DISCONNECT
MAIN DISCONNECT AMPACITY
MOISTURE SOURCES in PANELS
MULTI-WIRE CIRCUITS
MURRAY SIEMENS Recall

PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
PUSHMATIC - BULLDOG PANELS

REMOTE ELECTRIC POWER, PHOTOVOLTAIC
RUST in ELECTRICAL PANELS

SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS
SE CABLE SIZES vs AMPS
SIEMENS MURRAY Recall
SQUARE-D RECALLS

UNDERGROUND SERVICE LATERALS
VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT

WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING

ZINSCO / SYLVANIA HAZARDS

More Information

Photograph of  Eaton Cutler Hammer Electric Retrofit Kit for Electrical Panel ReplacementCost to Replace an Electrical Panel
InspectAPedia®  -      

  • What are the usual costs to replace an electrical Panel, FPE Stab-Lok, Zinsco, or Other Brand?
  • How to electrical panel replacement costs vary across the United States?
  • What factors affect the typical cost to replace an FPE Stab-Lok, Zinsco, or other Electrical Panel?
  • Eaton Cutler Hammer replacement panel choices for Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok equipment
  • Sources for Replacement FPE Stab-Lok electrical panels
  • Should you Ever Use Replacement FPE Stab- Lok circuit breakers?
  • Questions & answers about how much it costs to replace an electrical panel and how costs may vary by hardware options, wiring complexity and number of circuits, ease of access, as well as geographic area

This document discusses the typical costs to replace an electrical panel. This information on electrical panel replacement costs suipports our articles describing hazards leading to the need to replace Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electric Panels or Zinsco / Zinsco-Sylvania Electric Panels in buildings.

Replacement FPE Stab-Lok circuit breakers are unlikely to reduce the failure risk of this equipment. We recommend that residential FPE Stab-Lok electrical panels be replaced entirely or the entire panel bus assembly be replaced, regardless of FPE model number or FPE year of manufacture. We do not sell circuit breakers nor any other products.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Electrical Panel REPLACEMENT COST Typical cost of the traditional FPE Electrical Panel Replacement

Quotes From Electrical Contractors on Electric Panel Replacement

Quotes from electrical contractors on panel replacement by installing a complete, new, electrical panel, can be expected to vary by area of the country, hardware needed, replacement panel size in ampacity and number of circuits, accessibility to perform the work, and other factors that affect labor or materials. That said, we've heard panel replacement costs ranging from $1,200. to $4,000 (April 2007, Northwestern United States). If you are surprised by the quotation you receive from your electrician, ask for the supporting details of the bid or ask for a bid from a competitor too. Shop expertise and workmanship not just price.

Northeastern U.S.: Typically the installation of a new 100-Amp electrical pane in the Northeastern U.S. is around $1,200 to $1,500. (June 2006, Northeastern U.S.). This figure does not include the additional cost for a service panel (150A or 200A), extra labor, or materials for demolition and repair of a wall needed to address an electric panel which is already installed.

Southwestern U.S.: (Such as Dallas Fort Worth) Typically the installation of a new 100-Amp electrical pane in the Southwestern U.S. is around $1,200 to $2,100. (February 2008 Dallas Electrical Costs). A 150A or 200A electrical panel may cost up to $2400. from some installers.

Additional costs for replacement electrical panel installations: may be expected where there is difficulty of access, where demolition and wall repair are needed, where the electrical service is being upgraded to a larger ampacity than that of the panel being replaced, or where there are other special requirements. Typical factors affecting the cost of electrical repair and retrofit work are discussed in more detail just below.

The "Short Wire" problem and the Eaton Renovation Load Center: Electrical panel, FPE, Zinsco, or any other brand can be extra difficult when replacing the entire panel if only short lengths of wire are available in the old electrical box. Especially if the new electric panel is physically larger than the one being replaced, the original wires may not reach the circuit breakers in the new panel.

A product which might help when the entire loadcenter (what normal people call the "electric panel") is going to be replaced. is E-CH's "Renovation Loadcenters". The unique feature is that UL listed terminal blocks are provided in the enclosure as a means to terminate existing wires too short to reach the new panel's branch circuit breakers or neutral bus. A new wire can then be wired from the terminal block to the breaker or neutral.

This is a safer method than the twist-on connectors commonly used, or a separate terminal box, which takes up extra space. I do not discuss this approach further here but more information is available from Eaton Corp., Cutler Hammer Products or through your electrician and electrical supplier.

"RETROFIT COST - Cost of Replacing an FPE Panel using the E-CH Adjustable Retrofit Kit" discusses the costs of FPE panel replacement using Cutler Hammer's retrofit electrical panel kit. This money-saving option is sometimes suitable, depending on the physical dimensions of the original electrical panel and the ampacity of the new service to be installed.

Factors Affecting the Cost of an Electrical Panel Replacement

  • Area of the country: prevailing wages and other costs for electricians vary by area of the country as well as city, town, or rural rates.
  • Electrical Work Permits and Electrician Licensing Fees required vary by municipality as do the fees that must be paid for those permissions to install an new electrical panel.
  • Amount of labor required to remove the old panel: this may vary widely depending on where and how the old electrical panel was installed, the amount of demolition, the necessity to perform cosmetic repairs to a surrounding wall or other surface, and even the working space to access the old panel.
  • Condition of the existing electrical wiring or its insulation: may affect panel replacement cost. Copper in electrical wiring does not deteriorate with mere age (contrary to what a New Paltz NY contractor told one of our clients). But the wire insulation may be damaged and unsafe from age, or from overheating. (Overheating a wire, unlike mere age, can also damage the copper wire itself.) Damaged electrical wires may have to be replaced. Replacement does not necessarily mean that the entire circuit needs to be replaced. Often overheating occurs locally, such as close to a connection or in a light fixture. The electrician may be able to cut back the damaged wiring, install a junction box, and extend the old circuit to the new electrical panel.
  • Obsolete electrical wiring such as knob and tube wiring does not necessarily have to be replaced (by code) but may be damaged, modified, or otherwise unsafe. Since a traditional knob and tube electrical circuit lacks a ground wire, these circuits should be upgraded to new wire whenever possible.
  • Physical size of the old electrical panel may be too small to preclude its re-use with a panel retrofit kit, so the entire box needs to be replaced.
  • Short electrical wires in the old panel may make it difficult or impossible to connect the existing wires to breakers in a new, physically larger electrical panel. Extensions, junction boxes, or a retrofit panel kit may be needed. We discussed this concern just above
  • Other new electrical work: may end up being part of your project. Since it's going to cost just to have your electrician walk in the door to do any job, it is often more economical to batch together multiple electrical tasks into one larger project. Discuss with your electrician other electrical improvements such as adding circuits, installing grounded electrical receptacles, adding a switch you've always wanted, and other improvements that may be less costly when added to the electrical panel replacement project.

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Questions & answers about how much it costs to replace an electrical panel and how costs may vary by hardware options, wiring complexity and number of circuits, ease of access, as well as geographic area.

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FPE Stab-Lok HAZARDS & REPAIRS WEBSITE - See detailed links at page left

  • Thanks to Lance Caddell, Master Electrician, Caddell Electric, LLC. for comments and corrections 2/16/08

Information Source Citations & Feedback Request

Information Source Notice: portions of the text of this document are from email exchanged between the web author and the Eaton Corp., Cutler Hammer Products Lead Design Engineer and Eaton Product Manager involved with the products discussed in this document. The illustration at page top is from the Eaton Electrical PDF which describes their product line. The author has no financial nor any other connection with Eaton Corp., Cutler Hammer Products, nor any other company whose products are discussed at this website. Corrections of errors or omissions, product user feedback, or other critique are invited. Our editorial policies are at Accuracy & Bias Pledge

We solicit photos and description of field experience from installing electricians and from consumers. Contact Us to report field experience with this equipment.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson Dunlop The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop. The Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
  • The Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electric Panel Hazard Website Safety Information for Consumers. 2009
  • Home Inspection Reporting Language and discussion for FPE panels
  • Schneider Canada Federal Pioneer circuit breaker recall
  • Federal Pacific Electric Panels: Fires Waiting to Happen, Debate Waiting to Be Ended
  • How to Identify Federal Pacific Electric Panels Stab Lok Breakers & History of the Federal Pacific Electric Stab Lok Hazard
  • 1983 CPSC Investigation of FPE Circuit Breakers Safety Information for Consumers
  • 1982 Reliance Electric Co. SEC Quarterly Report: Note C. reports litigation between Reliance and UV Liquidating Trust and contends that "... improper and deceptive practices were employed for many years to secure UL listings for Federal Pacific's circuit protective products..."
  • 1980 Reliance Electric Co. Press Release: improper practices used to obtain UL Listing for most of FPE's circuit breakers and notes testing which indicates "possible defects." 1980, Reliance Electric Co.
  • 1980 FPE - Exxon Buys A Scandal Along With A Company improper practices used to obtain UL Listing for most of FPE's circuit breakers and notes testing which indicates "possible defects." 1980, Reliance Electric Co.
  • ...

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