Nationwide · Licensed electricians in 48 states + DC
Call now to check electrician availability in your area
Federal Pacific Panel Replacement · Georgia
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panels with Stab-Lok breakers have a long history of breakers that may fail to trip during an overload or short circuit. Electricians commonly recommend replacing them, and many insurers ask about them.
Federal Pacific panels are common in Atlanta-area homes built from the 1950s through the 1970s, including ranch houses in Decatur, Brookhaven, Chamblee and much of southwest Atlanta, and inspectors routinely flag them. Georgia insurers may ask for replacement.
Older in-town bungalows often have mixed wiring from several renovations. Fast suburban growth brings a steady stream of EV chargers, basement finishes and panel upgrades.
West Augusta and the neighborhoods around National Hills and Forest Hills grew in the 1950s through the 1970s, when Federal Pacific panels went into many new homes. Home inspectors routinely flag them, and Georgia insurers may ask for replacement.
Historic homes in Summerville and Olde Town can have knob-and-tube or cloth wiring, and mid-century homes often have 100 amp panels. Mature trees mean frequent storm damage to service drops. Raised homes are common in older areas.
East Cobb and the subdivisions around Marietta boomed in the 1960s and 1970s, and many ranch and split-level homes from that era still have Federal Pacific panels. Inspectors in metro Atlanta's busy market flag them routinely.
Historic homes can have knob-and-tube or cloth wiring, and mid-century homes often have 100 amp panels. Newer subdivisions add EV chargers and generators.
Federal Pacific panels were installed in millions of US homes from roughly the 1950s to the 1980s. Independent testing and reports over the years found that some Stab-Lok breakers can fail to trip, which defeats the purpose of a breaker.
You can usually identify one by the "Federal Pacific Electric" or "FPE" label on the door and the narrow breakers with red-orange tips. Replacement swaps the panel and breakers for current equipment, often with a service upgrade at the same time.
Our local notes cover Atlanta, Augusta, Marietta. Federal Pacific panels are common in Atlanta-area homes built from the 1950s through the 1970s, including ranch houses in Decatur, Brookhaven, Chamblee and much of southwest Atlanta, and inspectors routinely flag them.
The city or county building department where the home is. Atlanta: Inside city limits, electrical permits come from the City of Atlanta's Office of Buildings; surrounding cities and counties issue their own. Augusta: Electrical permits come from Augusta's planning and development department. Marietta: Electrical permits inside city limits come from the City of Marietta's development services; Cobb County handles unincorporated areas.
Look for "Federal Pacific Electric", "FPE" or "Stab-Lok" on the panel door or label, and thin breakers with red-orange tips.
Electricians generally recommend replacing the whole panel, because the concerns involve how the breakers and panel work together, not only individual breakers.
Some insurers decline or surcharge homes with FPE panels. Ask your insurer directly; a permit and final inspection usually document the replacement.
Call now and we connect you with a licensed electrician who serves your ZIP code.
