speaking of old electrical... Federal Pacific Stab Lok!!!

There are a couple of electrical panels out there that immediately draw our attention as professionals:

FEDERAL PACIFIC - STAB LOK = a unique circuit breaker panel that has a very poor history and some substantial complaints. we recommend further evaluation by a licensed electrician for likely replacement. Sometimes we find these panels in good condition... however that may just mean they have not been subject to the overloads that may create failure. Sometimes the breakers do not trip under a heavy load and end up overheating, ultimately catching on fire... Yikes... so then it is TOO LATE! Recently an electrician told me he found a dryer that still had power despite the breaker indicating it was tripped!!! Upon removal of the breaker, the backside was all scorched... A potential fire averted, barely!! Not a good situation. I recommend and most of the electricians I know will recommend these Stab Lok panels be replaced.

ZINSO - another unique circuit breaker panel that I've only seen once in MAINE... that was up near Sunday River I believe many years ago. These panels have a poor history as well.

For more information on both of these panels click on the following links:

http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm

http://www.inspect-ny.com/electric/Zinsco.htm

If you see these in your home or a home you visit, list, show etc... SERIOUSLY consider consulting a licensed electrician. A qualified professional home inspector will definitely flag these as a potential hazard. If he does not, then you are using the wrong INSPECTOR!