Bad Breaker a Fire Danger
If your home was built in the 1950s, 60s, 70s or 80s, it may have circuit breakers proven to fail far too often, making it a dangerous fire hazard. KLBK's Evan Onstot investigates...
-->By: Evan Onstot
Updated: November 9, 2012
A circuit breaker found in thousands of Lubbock homes is being called a fire hazard by electricians and home inspectors across the country. The Federal Pacific Stab Lok has been the focus of numerous investigations and lawsuits. Independent testing has shown the circuit breakers to fail anywhere from 25% to 80% of the time.
Local electrician Chester Walker, Vice President of CMW Electric, says the breakers are in thousands of Lubbock homes, including large chunks of entire neighborhoods. He says when the breakers fail dangerous over-current continues to flow through the home, a dangerous fire hazard.
He recommends switching out the breaker panel entirely to ensure your home is safe.
For more information on FPE Stab Lok breakers, go to inspectapedia.com and search "Federal Pacific breakers."
