Types of Electrical Panels That Need Immediate Replacement
Types of Electrical Panels That Need Immediate Replacement
Not all homeowners give importance to the kind of electrical panels they have in their homes. In fact, most of them have no idea what an electrical panel is and are not sure what type of electrical panel they have.
To give you an idea, all homes have electrical panels to prevent too much power from overflowing to the same area at once. If your electrical panel is already outdated, there’s a higher risk of overheating that may lead to a fire. If your home was built before 1990, it’s time to call for a licensed electrician because you may have an outdated electrical panel that needs immediate replacement.
While most panels installed before 1990 were recalled, some homeowners have failed to replace their panels, passing the problem onto new home buyers.
If you want to ensure that your family is safe, you should know about the types of electrical panels that were recalled and are already outdated so that you have them replaced immediately. Here are the types of electrical panels that need immediate replacement:
1. Federal Pacific Electric Service Panels (FPE)
One of the most popular and commonly used panels back in 1980 was the Federal Pacific Electric panels (FPE). FPE panels were recalled because they don’t trip when they’re supposed to. They don’t short-circuit as well, so they are most likely to cause fires. Another bad thing about FPE panels is that their power is constantly flowing even when the circuit is turned off, causing dangerous electrocution.
Even without an electrician, you can know if you have a Federal Pacific Electric panel because there’s a written name on the front. You can also know if you have an FPE panel once you check inside the circuit breaker, and you see a “Stab-Loc” label written.
2. Zinsco Service Panels
Zinsco Service panels are another type of panel that has been recalled. This type of panel is present in homes built in the 70s. They were recalled because the circuit breakers in these panels melt to the bus bar, making it impossible for the circuit to trip. If circuit breakers can’t trip, a short or a power surge could melt the wire, which will lead to burning.
Once you see a “Zinsco” sign on your electrical panel, then you should have it replaced immediately. If there’s none, check if it’s branded as Sylvania or GTE-Sylvania because many Zinsco was rebranded as that.
3. Split-Bus
Split-bus is a general design of panels that is outdated. It hasn’t been used in 40 years, so you have to replace it immediately because it is unsafe.
This type will be difficult for you to identify because there is no logo. You can know if you have this design if your breakers are divided into two groups, and there’s no single disconnect. Once you see two groups of breakers, call for an electrician right away.
4. Fuse Box
While fuse boxes are the precursors of modern circuit breakers, they still need to be replaced because the fuse box may blow if you have too much power on a single fuse. Additionally, replacing the fuses in the fuse box is a hassle and can lead to other problems, so it’s best to replace them with the most modern panels.
Ensure You Have An Updated Electrical Panel
Checking your electrical panels is crucial because it will affect the safety of your house and family. If you ignore your electrical system, the more likely you are to have an incident. Remember, there’s nothing more important than your whole family’s safety, so ensure that you conduct frequent inspections and maintenance on your electrical system.
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