How often do you think about your home’s electrical panel? My guess is either never, or only when you blow a fuse. But some panels have been found to be less safe than others. Specifically Federal Pacific Electric panels are more prone to fires than are other brands.
To learn more about electrical panels in general and about the ones that are unsafe, visit Is My Panel Safe.com. Here is some information from the site:
The home’s electrical system operates like a human being’s body. Circuits and wires carry electricity throughout the home like veins and arteries carry blood to organs and limbs. Just as blood keeps the body alive, electricity keeps televisions on, computers powered, and refrigerators running.
Blood cannot travel throughout a body unless its heart is pumping, and electricity cannot travel throughout a home unless the electrical panel is operating properly. The panel is the heart of an entire home’s electrical system. Without a properly functioning panel, nothing electrical in a home will work.
People’s hearts can develop problems due to age, diet, and genetic reasons. Panels also can develop problems. Today, there are two brands of panels that may have major manufacturing and/or design flaws that potentially put homeowners at risk—Federal Pacific Electric panels and certain Zinsco panels. There are also millions of people today who have panels that are more than 40 years old and may no longer protect their homes from overcurrents and short circuits.
This site will provide you vital information on each of these panels and explain how you can protect your home and loved ones from any possible shock or fire hazard.
