During a recent home inspection in Cherry Hill, NJ, I encountered a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok electrical panel—a component commonly found in older homes throughout Cherry Hill, Mt. Laurel, Evesham, and Haddonfield. While these panels were widely installed decades ago, they are now considered a significant safety concern and are frequently flagged during professional home inspections.
Federal Pacific Electric panels were installed in many homes from the 1950s through the early 1980s. The concern is not simply their age, but a documented history of circuit breakers failing to trip during overloaded or short-circuit conditions.
When a breaker fails to trip:
Electrical wiring can overheat
Fire risk significantly increases
Homeowners may have no warning that a dangerous condition exists
This defect is internal to the breaker design and cannot be corrected with simple repairs.
Federal Pacific Electric panels have been involved in class action lawsuits, including cases within the state of New Jersey, due to evidence showing that some breakers did not meet safety standards. Independent testing has demonstrated failure-to-trip rates that are far higher than what is considered acceptable in modern electrical systems.
Because of these findings:
Many NJ licensed electricians recommend full panel replacement
Some insurance companies refuse coverage on homes with FPE panels
These panels are often cited during real estate transactions and negotiations
In towns like Cherry Hill, Mt. Laurel, Evesham (Marlton), and Haddonfield, many homes were built during the era when Federal Pacific panels were commonly installed. Buyers may not be aware of the issue unless a professional home inspection is performed.
Replacing an FPE panel:
Improves electrical safety
Reduces fire risk
Helps avoid insurance and resale complications
Brings the home closer to modern electrical standards
When a Federal Pacific electrical panel is identified during a home inspection, the standard recommendation is:
Evaluation and replacement by an NJ licensed electrician, ideally prior to closing
Due to the inherent design flaws, replacing individual breakers or performing partial repairs is generally not advised.
Electrical panels are one of the most important systems evaluated during a home inspection. Issues like Federal Pacific panels are often not obvious to homeowners, but they can have serious safety implications.
A professional inspection helps identify:
Outdated or unsafe electrical components
Conditions that may affect insurance or resale
Hidden safety concerns before they become emergencies
If you’re buying or selling a home in Cherry Hill, Mt. Laurel, Evesham, Haddonfield, or the surrounding South Jersey area, a detailed home inspection can help protect your investment and your family’s safety.
AmeriSpec Home Inspection – South Jersey
📍 Serving Burlington & Camden County
🌐 www.amerispecnj.net
• New Jersey class action lawsuit history and safety issues:
👉 Federal Pacific Electric FPE Stab-Lok® Class Action — overview of the NJ lawsuit settlement and the safety hazard. Federal Pacific Electric FPE Stab‑Lok® Class Action (Inspectapedia)
• Federal Pacific panels are widely documented as having safety design flaws:
👉 Stab-Lok (Wikipedia) — notes government testing showing many FPE breakers failed UL calibration requirements and recommends removal as a potential fire hazard. Stab‑Lok (Wikipedia)
• Federal Pacific panels have been linked to fire hazards and failure-to-trip issues:
👉 The Hazards of Federal Pacific Electrical Panels — explains why experts consider them dangerous and prone to fire risk due to defective breakers. The Hazards of Federal Pacific Electrical Panels
• NJ court ruled FPE violated consumer standards:
👉 Federal Pacific Electric panels: fire hazards and NJ class action — describes a New Jersey court ruling that FPE “violated the Consumer Fraud Act” for selling breakers that failed UL standards. Federal Pacific Electric panels & NJ Class Action Lawsuit
