Not all electrical panels are created equal. While most modern panels from reputable manufacturers are safe and reliable, several brands installed in homes from the 1950s through the 1990s have documented safety issues that put homeowners at risk. If your Pittsburgh home has one of these panels, understanding the risks is the first step toward keeping your family safe.

Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok Panels

Federal Pacific Electric panels with Stab-Lok breakers are widely considered the most problematic residential panels ever manufactured. Independent testing has shown that these breakers can fail to trip when they should, meaning they may not shut off power during an overload or short circuit. This failure to trip can allow wires to overheat and potentially cause a fire. Federal Pacific Electric went out of business, and no manufacturer currently makes replacement Stab-Lok breakers.

Zinsco and Sylvania-Zinsco Panels

Zinsco panels, also sold under the Sylvania-Zinsco brand, have a known design flaw where the breakers can fuse to the bus bar inside the panel. When this happens, the breaker cannot trip to protect the circuit, creating a serious fire risk. These panels were commonly installed in homes built in the 1970s and 1980s.

Pushmatic Panels

Pushmatic panels use a push-button design instead of the toggle switches found on modern breakers. While not as dangerous as Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels, Pushmatic panels are obsolete, and replacement breakers are difficult to find. The age of these panels alone — most are 40 to 60 years old — means the internal components may have degraded to the point where they no longer provide reliable protection.

What Should You Do?

If your home has any of these panel brands, the safest course of action is to have the panel replaced with a modern panel from a reputable manufacturer such as Square D, Siemens, or Eaton. A licensed electrician can inspect your current panel, identify the brand and model, and recommend the appropriate replacement.