Some electrical panels made by Federal Pioneer (or Federal Pacific in the United States) fitted with Stab-Lok breakers are the subject of a widely documented safety concern: in some cases, breakers may fail to trip as intended during an overload or short circuit.
Common causes
this is an issue tied to the design and manufacture of this type of breaker, not normal wear. The risk concerns panels installed decades ago and still in service in many buildings.
Signs to watch for
a panel identified as Federal Pioneer or Federal Pacific; breakers with a slotted handle or red marking (Stab-Lok); breakers that do not hold in position, that heat up or give off an overheating smell; an old panel never replaced.
Why you should not ignore it
a breaker that does not protect its circuit as it should represents a risk of overheating, even fire. It is precisely the safety role of the panel that is at stake. Many owners choose to have this type of panel checked and then replaced by an electrician.
What a professional assessment reveals
Federal Pioneer (Stab-Lok) panels are associated with a risk of breakers that do not trip under overload. An assessment confirms the type of panel and its condition to gauge the real risk, a safety element at the heart of a pre-purchase inspection.
Vous soupconnez ce probleme dans un batiment ?
Une inspection le confirme, le documente et le chiffre, pour decider en connaissance de cause.
Inspection preachat Bilan de sante du batiment (BCA) Demander une soumission
