FPE Fire Hazard | 100 AMP Service Upgrade in Cranford, New Jersey

In this video you'll see how an old Federal Pacific Electric panel with STAB-LOK circuit breakers is removed and a new 100 amp service is installed. Updated grounding and bonding too.

The Federal Pacific Electric Company designed, patented and sold circuit breakers, beginning with its first patent in 1949 and ending with its eventual bankruptcy. Its products were later found to be defective and dangerous.

In 1979, Reliance Electric Company bought Federal Pacific Electric Company from UV Industries, and was shortly thereafter bought by Exxon Corporation. But in 1980 Exxon sued, claiming that UV Industries had faked safety tests to gain UL listings for its products, and UL withdrew its safety endorsement.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission subsequently tested the products. Despite CPSC findings in 1984 that the circuit panels were faulty and dangerous, no recall was ever issued. Other independent testing indicated a failure rate of up to 60 percent, yet products still on the shelves continued to be sold. In 2002, a New Jersey court found in a class action lawsuit that Federal Pacific Electric Company had violated the New York Consumer Fraud Act by knowingly selling circuit breakers that did not meet UL safety standards, despite the UL endorsement on its label.

Potentially hazardous Federal Pacific Electric Company circuit panels can still be found in millions of homes built before 1990. They can be identified by the labels on the circuit panel’s front or side.

Classic Electric, LLC | Point Pleasant, New Jersey
License & Business # 16557
(732)-770-1437

Ron Pecina Jr. is a licensed electrician in the state of New Jersey. This allows him to apply for electrical permits, work with live conductors, remove meters, and disconnect service from the utility company. New Jersey observes the 2020 NEC and the Uniform Construction Code. The majority of the work seen here on this channel falls under the Rehabilitation Sub Code (Chapter 6 of the U.C.C.).

ALL New Jersey licensed electricians MUST complete 34-hours of continuing education units each tricentennial period. This includes a mandatory 10-hour code update course. Any work above 10-volts requires an electrical license in New Jersey.

Ron is an active member of the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors Association.

Become an NJ-IEC member here: https://www.nj-iec.org

IEC National: https://www.ieci.org

WANT TO SEE MORE? How to wire a Generac Standby Generator. WATCH HERE:    • Generac Generator Installation Part 2...  

Classic Electric, LLC is a Generac standby air-cooled generator installer. Generac Dealer # 1019500

Camera: Go Pro 9/ 10.

Editing software: Apple iMovie

Animation software: Apple Keynote

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Electrical Wiring is NOT a hobby. Call a licensed electrician.