Two brands of electrical panel, Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) "Stab-Lok" and Zinsco (also sold as GTE-Sylvania), installed heavily from the 1950s through the early 1980s. The long-standing concern, raised by home inspectors and electricians, is that some of their breakers can fail to trip on an overload or short circuit, which defeats a breaker's one safety job.
$1,500 to $4,000 to replace the panel (plus utility disconnect + permit; more with a service upgrade)Address before purchaseElectrical
The quick answer
Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) and Zinsco panels, common from the 1950s to early 1980s, are widely regarded by inspectors and insurers as failure-prone because some breakers can fail to trip. They were never recalled, but they're usually flagged for replacement rather than testing. A new panel runs about $1,500 to $4,000. Confirm the brand with a licensed electrician and factor it into your offer.
You are reading the federal pacific & zinsco electrical panels page. Type the year the house was built and I will tell you what else tends to be true at that age, what it costs, and what to ask. One number, ten seconds.
Free. No account. Educational and impartial, not a home inspection.
Why it matters
A breaker that doesn't trip is a potential fire risk. Independent testing of FPE Stab-Lok breakers for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found a large share failed to trip under UL test conditions. Importantly, the CPSC closed its investigation in 1983, citing insufficient budget, without making a formal determination that the breakers are defective, and the panels were never recalled. So the honest framing is: these are widely regarded by inspectors and many insurers as failure-prone and worth replacing, not subject to a government recall. Because the failure mode is hidden ("it's worked for years" is exactly how it looks right up until it doesn't), they're typically flagged for replacement rather than re-testing.
How to spot it
FPE: the "Federal Pacific Electric" or "Stab-Lok" name on the panel or breakers, often with a red strip across the breaker handles. Zinsco: "Zinsco" or "GTE-Sylvania" labels and colourful (red/blue/green) breaker handles. A photo of the panel label and breaker faces is usually enough to identify the brand.
What it costs
Toronto same-capacity panel swaps run $1,500 to $4,000 (2026 average ~$3,200 all-in); moving from 100A to 200A service $2,000 to $4,000+; add the utility disconnect/reconnect (~$678 in Toronto Hydro territory) and the ESA permit. Often bundled with a service upgrade.
What to do
Address before purchase. Have a licensed electrician confirm the brand and condition and quote a replacement, and factor it into your offer. Some insurer questionnaires ask about these panels, so check coverage before removing conditions.
Education and triage, not a home inspection. Casaroo identifies the panel brand from a label photo, a licensed electrician confirms the panel and replaces it. We flag the brand; we don't certify any individual breaker.
Common questions
Were Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels ever recalled?
No, and it is worth being precise about this. Independent testing for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found a large share of FPE Stab-Lok breakers failed to trip under test conditions, but the CPSC closed its investigation in 1983 citing insufficient budget and never made a formal determination. Inspectors and many insurers regard these panels as failure-prone; they are not under a government recall.
Will insurance be a problem?
Some insurer questionnaires ask about these panels by name. Check coverage with your broker on the specific address before you remove conditions, because a panel that is fine with your current insurer may not be with the one writing the policy on this house.
Can the breakers be tested instead of replaced?
The failure mode is hidden, which is the whole problem. A panel that has worked for years looks exactly like a panel that is about to not work, so these are typically flagged for replacement rather than re-testing. A licensed electrician makes that call.
What does replacement really cost, all in?
The panel swap itself is $1,500 to $4,000, but budget for the utility disconnect and reconnect and the ESA permit on top. It is often bundled with a service upgrade, which is worth pricing at the same time if the service is also small.
A licensed electrician confirms; Casaroo flags, it does not inspect.
Last reviewed 2026-07-10.
This guide is general education, not a home inspection and not advice for your specific property. Always
consult the appropriate licensed professional, and get a licensed home inspection before you remove conditions
or buy. Cost ranges are 2026 estimates that vary by region, size, and access; confirm specifics with a
qualified professional.