Federal Pacific and Zinsco Panel Replacement

Quick answer

Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels are known for breakers that can fail to trip under a fault, and many insurers now decline or surcharge homes that have them. We replace them with a new, properly rated panel, pull the permit, and give you the passed inspection paperwork your insurance company or buyer asks for. Most replacements are a one-day job.

How to tell if you have one

Open the panel door and look for the brand. Federal Pacific panels say FPE or Federal Pacific Electric and have Stab-Lok breakers, often with red-tipped handles. Zinsco panels say Zinsco or Sylvania-Zinsco and often have colorful breaker handles. If you see either, or your home was built between the 1950s and 1980s and the panel has never been replaced, send us a photo and we will tell you what you have.

Why replacement is the fix, not repair

Replacement breakers for these panels are hard to find, expensive, and do not solve the underlying design problems. A new panel gives you reliable overcurrent protection, room for the loads modern homes need such as EV chargers, hot tubs and heat pumps, and a clean inspection record.

What the replacement includes

Removal of the old panel and breakers. New panel, main breaker and branch breakers sized to your circuits, with AFCI and GFCI protection where code requires it. Labeling of every circuit. Electrical permit and inspection. Coordination with the utility if the service needs to be disconnected during the work. A copy of the passed inspection for your insurance company or home sale.

Selling or buying a home

Home inspectors in Kootenai County and Spokane flag these panels routinely. If you are selling, replacing the panel before listing removes a common negotiation point. If you are buying, we can give you a fixed price to include in your offer.

How it works

Send a photo of your panel or book a visit. We confirm the panel type and service size and quote a fixed price. We schedule the permit, the utility disconnect if needed, and the work, usually all in one day. The inspector signs off and you get the paperwork.

Call (208) 352-0662 or send a photo of your panel for a fixed-price quote in Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, Rathdrum or the Spokane area.
Frequently asked questions about FPE and Zinsco panel replacement
Will my insurance company make me replace a Federal Pacific panel?
Many insurers now decline new policies or require replacement at renewal when an inspection finds an FPE or Zinsco panel. We provide the permit and passed inspection paperwork most carriers ask for.
How long does a panel replacement take?
Most residential panel replacements are done in one day, with power off for part of it. We schedule the utility disconnect and the inspection so everything happens together where possible.
Can you upgrade to 200 amps at the same time?
Yes. If your home has a 100-amp service and you are adding an EV charger, hot tub or heat pump, replacing the panel is the right time to upgrade to 200 amps, and we quote both options.

Verify our license yourself

Problem Solved Electric holds Idaho electrical contractor license 072429 and is licensed in Washington. Look up either license on the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses website or the Washington Labor and Industries contractor lookup.

Typical cost

Most like-for-like 200-amp panel replacements in the same location land between $3,200 and $4,600, including the new panel and breakers, grounding and bonding updates, the permit, inspection and cleanup. Moving the panel, upgrading the service with a new meter base or mast, or adding a whole-home surge protector changes the number, so we confirm a fixed price after a free phone estimate with photos of your panel and meter. Sales tax is added where it applies.