Do you have one of these panels?
Open the panel door and look at the label and the breaker handles. Leave the metal cover on. Tap a photo for a closer look.
Federal Pacific Electric
- "Federal Pacific Electric" or "FPE" on the door or the label
- "Stab-Lok" printed between the breaker rows
- Breaker handles that often have a red strip
- Installed in homes from the 1950s into the 1980s
Zinsco or Sylvania
- "Zinsco", "Sylvania" or "GTE-Sylvania" on the label
- Breaker handles in bright colors: red, blue, green, yellow
- Installed mostly from the 1950s through the 1970s. After 1973 the same design carried the Sylvania name.
Later Sylvania panels use a different design. If yours says Sylvania, send us a photo and we'll check.
Not sure which one you have? Send us a photo and we'll tell you.
Why insurers and inspectors flag them
A breaker has one job: cut the power when a circuit overloads or shorts. If it stays on, the wiring keeps heating.
- 1950 to 1980
Federal Pacific Electric built Stab-Lok breakers, and they went into homes across the country.
- 1980
FPE's new parent company told the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that many FPE breakers did not fully meet UL requirements. The Commission's own tests confirmed that some failed UL calibration tests.
- 1983
The Commission closed its investigation, citing the cost of more testing. No recall followed, and it did not rule on whether the breakers are safe. In 2011 it added a note that the closure was not a finding of safety.
- 2002
A New Jersey court found that FPE knowingly distributed breakers that had not been tested to meet UL standards as their labels claimed.
- 2011
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth reported on an engineer's tests of nearly 1,500 Federal Pacific breakers. About one in four did not trip when overloaded.
- Today
Insurers and home inspectors flag these panels. Some insurers now demand replacement within weeks to keep a policy in force.
Zinsco panels, and Sylvania panels of the same design, have their own failure: a breaker can melt onto the bus bar and stop tripping.
Smell burning, see scorch marks or feel heat at the panel? Call (360) 360-3823 now. We answer 24/7. For smoke or fire, call 911.
Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Wikipedia on Stab-Lok, citing the 2002 New Jersey Superior Court order, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, United Policyholders, Great American Insurance Group, InspectAPedia on Zinsco and GTE-Sylvania panels.
What your written price includes
One price, in writing, before any work starts.
- A new panel and breakers, sized for your home
- The permit. We pull it, book the inspection and meet the inspector.
- Coordination with the utility for the brief power shut-off
- Every circuit relabeled
- A 5-year labor warranty in writing. Parts keep the manufacturer's warranty.
- No surprise fees
A standard panel replacement, with the permit and inspection included:
- $3,000for veterans, with $500 off
- $3,250for everyone else, with $250 off
- $3,500before discounts
Our full price is under most other quotes
Other local quotes for the same panel replacement typically start around $3,750. Ours is $3,500 before any discount.
Veterans, $500 off$3,000
Everyone else, $250 off$3,250
Our price before discounts$3,500
Typical quote elsewhere$3,750 and up
Typical quote elsewhere: what other local contractors usually quote for the same job. Our prices are for a standard panel replacement, with the permit and inspection included. Already have a quote? Tell us the price on the form and we'll quote the same scope in writing.
Then compare what's in writing
Price
$3,500 for a standard panel replacement, before discounts. In writing before work starts, with no surprise fees.
Is the price in writing, or a ballpark over the phone?
Permit and inspection
Included. We pull the permit, book the inspection and meet the inspector.
Is the permit in the price? Who meets the inspector?
Labor warranty
5 years, in writing, on every install.
How long is it, and is it written down?
Discounts
$500 off a panel upgrade for veterans, $250 off for everyone else. Veterans also get $250 off any other electrical work.
Do they offer one, and how much?
Licenses
Licensed and insured in both states. Look us up: Oregon CCB 244602, Washington POWERPL813L6.
What is the license number? Check it with the state.
Track record
5.0 on Google. 700+ jobs in the last two years. IBEW-trained crews.
What do the recent reviews say, and who does the work?
Estimate
Free, with no obligation.
Is there a fee to come out?
Our work
Panels first. Then the other work we do: lighting, EV chargers, remodels and new homes.
Panels and power 8 photos
Lighting, remodels and new homes 11 photos
There's more on our main site
Every service we offer, more projects and the full photo gallery. We've been based in NE Portland since 2019.
5.0 on Google, on both sides of the river
Read every review on our Portland and Vancouver Google profiles.
"Quick to respond, fair pricing, and they pay attention to details."
"What impressed me the most was how clean they left the place after finishing the job."
"Installation was clean and done properly the first time."
"Made sure my needs were met before leaving. Great communication."
How it goes
Send your request
A couple of minutes on this page. Photos help us price it faster.
Free visit
We check the panel, the meter and the service wires. Same-day and next-day appointments are available.
Written price
You see the full price, with your discount, before any work starts.
Permit and utility
We pull the permit and schedule the shut-off with the utility.
Swap and inspection
We replace the panel, relabel the circuits and meet the inspector.
Common questions
- How do I show that I served?
- Tell us on the form. We'll confirm the details of your discount when we call. You don't upload any service records on this page.
- I'm not a veteran. Is there anything for me?
- Yes. Everyone gets $250 off a panel upgrade through this page, and written estimates are free. On active duty? Tell us when we call and we'll confirm which military discount applies.
- How much does a panel replacement cost?
- A standard panel replacement is $3,500 with us, with the permit and inspection included. With the discounts on this page, veterans pay $3,000 and everyone else pays $3,250. A new service mast, a new meter base or moving the panel costs more. You get the exact price in writing after a free visit.
- How long will the power be off?
- Briefly, during the swap. We coordinate with the utility to keep the outage short.
- Can you replace only the breakers?
- We recommend replacing the whole panel. New breakers don't change how the old panel is built, and they rarely satisfy an insurer or an inspector.
- My insurer gave me a deadline. Can you meet it?
- Put the date on the form. We'll tell you up front whether the permit and utility schedule fit it.
- Is my panel dangerous right now?
- It can run for years without a problem. The risk is a breaker that doesn't trip on the day it has to. If you smell burning, see scorch marks or feel heat, call us now.
- What does the offer cover?
- Veterans get $500 off a panel upgrade and $250 off any other electrical work, such as an EV charger, a generator, lighting or new circuits. Everyone else gets $250 off a panel upgrade. We confirm your discount on the written estimate.
- Which areas do you cover?
- In Oregon: Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Happy Valley, Clackamas, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Lake Oswego and Tualatin. In Washington: Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, Salmon Creek, Hazel Dell, Orchards and Brush Prairie.
Check your discount
It takes a couple of minutes, and the written estimate is free.
Or call (360) 360-3823