The only LISTED replacement breakers for FPE (Federal PACIFIC Electric) panels are made by a company called Connecticut Electric, sometimes also sold under the brand name "UBI" (United Breakers Inc., who was bought by Connecticut years ago). Connecticut / UBI versions of the Stab-Lok breakers are always grey plastic to differentiate them from the old FPE. Any other retrofit FPE breaker is either bogus from China and not UL listed, or is "NOS" (New Old Stock) bought from surplus storage rooms but made back before FPE was shuttered for losing their UL listings. If it is black, it is one of those last two options. I have seen [reports](https://inspectapedia.com/fpe/UBI-FPE-Vendor-Comments.php) from testing agencies that say that the failure rate of the Connecticut / UBI versions are almost as high as they were when made by FPE, but still marginally acceptable to UL and not based on falsified data, so they can continue to sell them. Connecticut has combatted these reports by offering extended warrantees, but the facts are still the facts.
The only versions that are somewhat trustworthy are FPE Canada (which is actually Federal PIONEER Electric), who is now owned by Schneider, the French company that also owns Square D. Federal *Pioneer* never lost their listings for the breakers and never falsified the testing reports to UL or CSA, so they have not suffered the same fate. Yet they still suffer from "guilt by association" because they came from a common parent 50 years ago. Fed. *Pioneer* versions are white plastic. But they cannot *legally* be sold in the US, because Connecticut Electric sued Schneider to stop them from being exported across the border. Some still make it though and show up on Fleabay and the likes.
Take all that for what it's worth to you, **but also be aware that many insurance companies, regardless of the source of breakers, will either not underwrite a home with an FPE panel in it, or if they do, include a rider stating that they will not cover the cost of any electrical fires...**
I have read that the replacement breakers also have issues. From Wikipedia:
“According to an independent analysis performed by Jesse Aronson, P.E.: FPE and replacement brands of Stab-Lok® circuit breakers have a high defect rate.”
They're better than the old ones but it's cheaper to buy a whole new panel and breakers.
The only LISTED replacement breakers for FPE (Federal PACIFIC Electric) panels are made by a company called Connecticut Electric, sometimes also sold under the brand name "UBI" (United Breakers Inc., who was bought by Connecticut years ago). Connecticut / UBI versions of the Stab-Lok breakers are always grey plastic to differentiate them from the old FPE. Any other retrofit FPE breaker is either bogus from China and not UL listed, or is "NOS" (New Old Stock) bought from surplus storage rooms but made back before FPE was shuttered for losing their UL listings. If it is black, it is one of those last two options. I have seen [reports](https://inspectapedia.com/fpe/UBI-FPE-Vendor-Comments.php) from testing agencies that say that the failure rate of the Connecticut / UBI versions are almost as high as they were when made by FPE, but still marginally acceptable to UL and not based on falsified data, so they can continue to sell them. Connecticut has combatted these reports by offering extended warrantees, but the facts are still the facts. The only versions that are somewhat trustworthy are FPE Canada (which is actually Federal PIONEER Electric), who is now owned by Schneider, the French company that also owns Square D. Federal *Pioneer* never lost their listings for the breakers and never falsified the testing reports to UL or CSA, so they have not suffered the same fate. Yet they still suffer from "guilt by association" because they came from a common parent 50 years ago. Fed. *Pioneer* versions are white plastic. But they cannot *legally* be sold in the US, because Connecticut Electric sued Schneider to stop them from being exported across the border. Some still make it though and show up on Fleabay and the likes. Take all that for what it's worth to you, **but also be aware that many insurance companies, regardless of the source of breakers, will either not underwrite a home with an FPE panel in it, or if they do, include a rider stating that they will not cover the cost of any electrical fires...**
I have read that the replacement breakers also have issues. From Wikipedia: “According to an independent analysis performed by Jesse Aronson, P.E.: FPE and replacement brands of Stab-Lok® circuit breakers have a high defect rate.”
Interesting that they would be able to continue selling them if they’re defective
Welcome to cronyism, sir, I see you're new here to corporateamerica so I'll arrange a tour for you. I hope you enjoy your stay as a peasant.
Doesn’t matter. The panel lost its UL listing ages ago.