Electrical Panels That Threaten Safety

SAN MARTIN — If you live in an older home, some architectural or mechanical aspects of it are likely from a different era. However, one aspect of your home that should never be outdated is your electrical panel, as it can affect both system performance and safety.

While any outdated electrical panel can be problematic (most are inadequate to provide for modern power needs), there are three names in particular you don’t want to see on yours: Zinsco, Federal Pacific and Challenger. While each of these brands is from a different time period, all three have lost their UL listings and are known to represent fire safety hazards. One common issue with these panels is that the breakers can fail to detect short or overloaded circuits, which leaves wires susceptible to overheating.

Due to the dangers posed by a malfunctioning electrical panel, it’s crucial to know what’s in your breaker box. Take a look inside, or better yet, have a professional electrician perform a safety inspection. If it turns out you have one of the aforementioned panels, plan to have it upgraded to a modern, UL-listed product that will ensure safety in your home.