Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels in Salt Lake City
Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco load centers are older electrical panel brands that still appear in mid-century and earlier houses. They come up often in inspection reports and insurance conversations. This page explains the issue in plain language; it is not a lab study or a recall notice.
What these names refer to
Federal Pacific residential breaker panels are widely known by the Stab-Lok design. Public summaries, including the Wikipedia article on Stab-Lok, describe long-running concerns that some breakers may not trip reliably under overload or short-circuit conditions. Zinsco panels, also documented in public sources, are associated with concerns about breaker-to-bus connections and overheating. This site is not a testing laboratory and does not add new technical claims beyond those already in the public record. If your panel is one of these brands, treat it as a reason for a professional inspection, not as something to diagnose from a logo alone.
Why they show up in Salt Lake City
Local electricians who write about the city often mention Federal Pacific and Zinsco equipment in mid-century homes, including in Sugar House and in older neighborhoods such as the Avenues, Capitol Hill, and Liberty Wells. Those are field reports, not a survey this site ran. The practical point for a homeowner is simple: if a label, an inspector, or an insurer has named one of these brands, get a licensed electrician to look at the actual equipment.
Replacement vs. a larger service
Replacing a problem panel and raising the service amperage are related but not identical jobs. A like-for-like replacement can address equipment concerns without changing the utility service size. A service upgrade is a separate decision, usually driven by load. Published Salt Lake City and Utah ranges for typical panel work often fall around $2,000–$4,500+; a job that also changes the meter base or mast can be higher. Those figures are published ranges, not quotes.
Permits still apply
Replacing a panel in Salt Lake City is electrical work and requires a Building Services permit. If the meter must come out, Rocky Mountain Power handles the physical disconnect. See the permits and process guide, the insurance review page, and the fuse box guide if the equipment is a fuse panel instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel?
Look at the label on the deadfront or inside the door. Federal Pacific equipment is often marked Federal Pacific, FPE, or Stab-Lok. Zinsco panels are marked Zinsco, and some related equipment was later sold under other names. If you are not sure, take a clear photo of the label for a licensed electrician; do not remove the cover yourself if you are not qualified.
Does Salt Lake City require these panels to be replaced?
This site has not found a city ordinance that names Federal Pacific or Zinsco and requires automatic replacement. Installing or altering an electrical system still needs a Building Services permit. Replacement is often driven by safety recommendations, insurance underwriting, or a home-sale inspection rather than a brand-specific city ban.
Will my insurance company make me replace it?
Some insurers and inspectors flag these brands. Whether your policy requires replacement is a question for your insurer, in writing. This site cannot predict a underwriting decision.
Is replacement the same as a 200-amp upgrade?
Not necessarily. Some replacements stay at the same amperage. Others are combined with a service upgrade because the house also needs more capacity for a remodel, heat pump, or EV charger. The electrician’s load calculation should separate those decisions.
Request a quote
A local licensed electrician can look at your panel, service, and planned loads and give you a written scope. There is no obligation to hire anyone.