Are You Living With a Hidden Fire Hazard?
Many homes in the Alameda and San Joaquin Valley still rely on outdated electrical panels that were never designed to handle modern loads—or meet today’s safety standards. If your home still has a Zinsco, Federal Pacific Electric (FPE), Challenger, Pushmatic, or older Schneider panel, your electrical system could be a serious fire risk.
At Altamont Electric, we specialize in replacing unsafe breaker boxes with safe, code-compliant systems built for today’s energy demands.
1. Zinsco Panels (GTE-Sylvania)
Why They’re Hazardous:
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Decades-Old Design: Built in the ’60s–’70s, Zinsco panels fall far short of modern safety standards.
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Breaker Failures: Up to 50% of Zinsco breakers fail to trip during overloads.
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Corroding Bus Bars: Aluminum components degrade, leading to arcing and fire hazards.
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Misleading Branding: These may appear as “Sylvania” or “GTE-Sylvania”—same dangers, different name.
2. Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok Panels
Why They’re Hazardous:
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Faulty Breakers: FPE breakers are notorious for not tripping during faults.
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CPSC Investigation: Government testing revealed alarming failure rates.
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Insurance Risks: Many insurers reject homes with FPE panels, risking coverage denial after a fire.
3. Challenger Panels (Eaton/Cutler-Hammer)
Why They’re Hazardous:
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Inconsistent Tripping: These breakers can overheat before tripping, a major fire risk.
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Missing Modern Protections: Many Challenger models lack required AFCI and GFCI safeguards.
4. Other High-Risk Panels
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Pushmatic “Bulldog” Panels: Breakers often stick and fail to trip, increasing fire danger.
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Old Schneider/ITE Panels: Loose bus connections and unlisted parts make them unsafe.
Why Replace Your Unsafe Panel?
✅ Eliminate Fire Risk:
New panels are UL-listed and designed to trip instantly under fault.
✅ Meet Electrical Code:
Upgrades include arc-fault and ground-fault protection, grounding, and surge suppression.
✅ Protect Your Insurance Coverage:
Code-compliant panels help ensure your policy stays valid and claims aren’t denied.
✅ Support Modern Loads:
Today’s homes need more power—for EV chargers, HVACs, and home offices. Only a new panel can keep up safely.
How Altamont Electric Makes It Easy
🔍 Free On-Site Inspection
We’ll identify your panel type, assess load capacity, and check for wiring issues—then provide a clear, no-pressure quote.
📝 Permit & Utility Coordination
We handle all permits and schedule PG&E’s meter swap to minimize disruption.
⚙️ Safe Removal & Disposal
Our licensed electricians de-energize and responsibly recycle your old panel.
🔌 Modern Panel Installation
We install a new UL-listed panel— to replace your outdated panel
📄 Final Inspection & Documentation
We secure the inspector’s approval and provide documentation for your records and insurance provider.
Ready to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?
Don’t wait for signs of trouble. An unsafe panel can fail without warning. Let Altamont Electric give your home the safe, modern electrical foundation it deserves.
📞 Call us at (209) 855-1847
📅 Schedule your free panel inspection today
📧 Contact us for questions or a quote