Zinsco electric panels jolley1859 1.6K views 2 years ago How to Upgrade an Electric Meter to 200-Amp Service (Part 1) | This Old House This Old House 2.7M views 8 years ago Hack for AFCI_GFCI. In your panel there are two red stickers with arrows: one pointing "up" indicates that the upper portion of the panel contains multiple (Two in this case) main disconnect breakers and the lower portion of this split bus panel contains individual circuit breakers. These are just as prone to safety issues and frequent malfunctions. Some Sylvania brand electrical panels are essentially a "Zinsco in Sylvania's clothing". I saw this listed as 50A but am doubtful. The younger Zinsmeyer took over the company from his father in 1943 and renamed it Zinsco. This is contrary to other breakers that are in two rows and black colored. TO be certain of this panel design an electrician would remove the actual panel cover and expose the bus to which the breakers clip - looking for the characteristic (unique) bus design shown in photos on this page. What are your thoughts about this panel set-up? Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly. He's doing a great job. - Anonymous (pending author wish to be identified) to A.C. to D.F. Can you assist with that? 1. The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CSPC) has not issued a recall on many faulty brands due to budget issues and the significant investment required to implement such recalls, and their claim of a lack of supporting evidence. Mary - P.G. Due to the deficiencies found in these panels and the adverse effects the panels can cause, Zinsco electrical panels should be replaced. Third party vendors may produce "zinsco replacement" breakers but testing has shown they perform no more safely than the original ones. @Robert shaner, IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. 4. The details to which we point are unique to Zinsco. On 2020-12-04 by (mod) You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. 3. I can ask Dr Aronstein if he can test this Sylvania - Zinsco electrical panel before we disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers. The word Magnetrip embossed in the steel electrical panel cover or on data tags in the Zinsco electrical panel. When I told them I have an old Zinsco panel they asked me to snap a picture of all of the breakers and they offered to send me all new replacement breakers so I could test out their equipment. It seems that the problems stem from aluminum parts within the panel. The photo above shows the distinctive operating handle on the door of this Zinsco electrical panel. Watch out: the panel looks corroded, rusty, unreliable as a brand-independent hazard, and of course Zinsco breakers and panels are unsafe in any event. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. Original breakers were patented in 1950 and labeled "Magnatrip." Five additional patents would be issued for subsequent designs. Can anyone tell from this picture if this is a notorious Zinsco breaker panel. Zinsco or Zinsco-Sylvania is the name given to a brand of electrical panel that was commonly installed up to the mid-1970's. It was a very popular product and installed throughout North America. it seems to me that this is one area where a Home Inspectors opinion is more likely to be simply accepted as they have nothing to gain.I have never heard of Kearney Photo 2: A Zinsco panel bus, showing scratch and oxidation marks Photo 3: A Zinsco double pole breaker in-place, with the electrical panel bus exposed Photo 4: A Zinsco breaker side blowout, exposed breaker contact exposed in the electrical panel Photo 5: A Zinsco breaker side blowout-2, exposed breaker contact exposed in the electrical panel Why GFCI Outlets have a Blinking Red Light? Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia. HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS at https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Zinsco_Electrical_Panels.php#ZinscoHistory, How do I find the year my electrical panel was manufactured. I found it exceedingly helpful, and think it's worth sharing widely. In the third photo above I mark with red arrows the distinctive deep notches into the side of a Zinsco-design circuit breaker and the vertical or on-edge aluminum bus bars to which the breaker clips. Product information Technical Details Additional Information Warranty & Support In any case, I would replace this electrical panel. Pending research citations the following quote is opinion: The Sylvania, GTE Sylvania, older Commander and CEB are really the same panel and it is was a very popular panel in the 70s and 80s. I'll attach Zinsco Sylvania GFCI circuit breakers were also provided, such as the HRGF15, Zinsco, HRGF Series, type HRGF, 1P, 1PH, 15A, 120V, 10kA@120V GFCI. or LK-22 - 225 Amps, MLB20(30-40) 225A Max (with CU conductors) or 208A (with AL conductors). The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. However, they can still be found in older homes and properties built before 1990. Photo courtesy Tim Hemm cited at references at the end of these articles. Identification photos of Frank Adam electrical panels are, and at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS, @Unicorn electrical products?, This was used as a temp panel for 3 months on a job. Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel. The Zinsco Style may be labeled as Zinsco, Challenger or Sylvaina. Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection- Bellingham Technical College. Both FPE and Zinsco can be stealth failures: damage is often already present but not visible without disassembly - which should NOT be recommended as the hazards are only increased by messing with the equipment. Try posting a larger photo of that detail. 40 A - Light Gray Toggle Handle Part # RC38-40, 50A - Black Toggles, Part # RC38-50 - shown above, 60A - White Toggle or handle, Part # RC38-60 (not shown in the photo above). OPINION: a look by your electrician at the condition of the circuit breaker-to-bus connection might show the same arcing and burning illustrated above in this article. Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, That's probably what you've got. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. As a consequence of this, in Ontario we had to mount drywall behind panels for years. Federal Pacific Electrical Panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, are a type of electrical panel manufactured by Federal Pacific. They have stopped making Federal Panels anyway.Im not sure what the best policy is here, but this much is true: I should simply say yes change these panels, but I know for sure someone will challenge that and it would be better to have reasons. According to experts, zinsco panels malfunction for two reasons: Design Flaws Electricians have observed that there are indeed design flaws in the Zinsco circuit breaker panels. Below: more examples of labels found in GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panels. Some Zinsco / Zinsco-Sylvania GFCIs follow the color conventions we show above, But others do not. 225 amps max. Personal communication, J. Aronstein to D. Friedman, 3/6/2006, James P. Simmons: Personal communication and photographs used in this article series, J. Simmons to Daniel Friedman, 3/4/2006, 2/19/2008. An expert who opens the electrical "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. Zinsco panels were designed at the beginning of the 20th century, a time with no computers, TV sets, washing machines or many of the appliances that make our day-to-day life so much easier. For a minute I thought we weregood! Other Zinsco electrical panel identification and information labels are included in this article. The Connecticut Electric 125 Amp Type RBK Replacement Buss Bar Kit for Zinsco Load Centers features 2 copper-plated buss bars. Research is underway. Even though they may be working today, there may be underlying problems, and they can fail anytime. Some Zinsco electrical panels include an embossed "Magnetrip" label in the panel cover (photo, above left). But other times not. Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. Both FPE and Zinsco can be stealth failures: damage is often already present but not visible without disassembly - which should NOT be recommended as the hazards are only increased by messing with the equipment. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. I'm sorry to say that I have not found a credible Zinsco electrical panel age decoder. Q242 [illegible] and continues, stating. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]. According to usinspect.com, problems with Zinsco Panels . Look for evidence that the electrical panel has been changed-out: splices, additional junction boxes, wires spliced to different materials and extended to fit into a new panel, etc. No, Mary all of your photos were quite tiny, but nevertheless we reach the same conclusion: But I did a search and found your very detailed page (https://InspectAPedia.com/electric/GTE_Sylvania_Zinsco_Identification.php) on the topic. The following panels are considered out of date or have been involved in an electrical panel recall: Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok panels. Or if your electrician doesn't know how to look at the Zinsco breakers we've illustrated, have her take some sharp photos of all sides of the breaker and email them to me. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. GTE-Sylvania / Zinsco Panel Identification Pictures Below is a close-up of the bus connection end of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. Photographs of Zinsco Sylvania and GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel labels below were provided courtesy of J. P. Simmons. Free shipping for many products! For example, the deep slot that cuts up into the side of Zinsco breakers and the "on-edge" bus bars are key details that will reliably identify Zinsco breakers and panels and can be easily seen in an electrical panel. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, Don't be fooled by its lookalike counterparts; this panel is easily distinguishable with its pastel-colored breakers lined up in a single row. I think that isfairly common around here. The table below gives examples of some GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel model numbers, Amps ratings, and circuit breaker codes. Zinsco is now defunct, but many homes still have these panels. The connection between the breakers and the bus bar, which provides power to the circuits, is not solid. Are you able to determine this from the attached pictures? They can still overheat and fail to trip after a small overload. In that photo I also circle characteristic light green GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco circuit breaker toggle switches. MLB20(15-30)C Indoor 225A MAX. Above and below, courtesy of Richard Sims, we include photographs of a 400A 240V Zinsco Electrical Panel that was property of the Georgia (USA) Power Company, including identifying Zinsco labeling. Re-posting without Joe's advertisement Zinsco breakers were frequently labeled with the name Zinsco Magnetrip breakers. I'm dealing with this problem in my home currently, I have both my HVAC and an electrician here. I'm looking for information on a Zinsco single-phase 400A, 240VAC panelboard with a DS-4564 designation. by Unicorn electrical products? It turns out as I'm reading your article, you cite someone named James Simmons from Mr Electric. "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. [Click to enlarge any image] The replacements for zinsco do not make the 35 amp any more. If I were estimating an electrical panel age I would Thank you so much for your help. mobile home doors that open properly - all buildings need safe functional fire exit passages, Turning off any strange-behaving circuits (flickering lights) with the caveat than in an FP/FPE case "turning off" may actually leave the circuit on as the breaker may not switch off internally), Red and blue breaker switches with visible colored base, Oblong opening at wire connection terminal, Flat electrical panel bus bars in parallel fitting into two slots on each breaker, Oblong opening in plastic receiver of bus bar ends, Vertical arrows point to the flat electrical panel bus bars of a Zinsco electrical panel. single pole, yellow handle. (Don't try it.). I [will] send pictures Sylvania Electrical Panel Catalog No. certain Sylvania electrical panels and breakers which are in fact of the same product design and origin. 400 amps - $2,300 to $4,200. Hello, [Click to enlarge any image], 2. US $199.98. Here (above and below) we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panel. Like Zinsco, it brought safety hazards and was recalled. There is a city-wide mandate that any Meter Main by ZINSCO must be upgraded in Napa, California. Sean (Click on Icons to go to social media pages.) Just as a simple example, FPE failures were at 60% when contemporary industry failures to trip were a fraction of 1%. The electrical panel is also tagged with the electrician's card, Jim Wise, owner, Wise Electric. Turn the Breaker Off then Unscrew the Conductors 3. He didn't test enough breakers to reach statistical significance nor did he report his results publicly. There are inherent problems in the bus bars of the panel and the materials used for their manufacturing. The Zinsco panels may work for years, but there is an underlying threat as homes have increased energy demands, these panels may overheat and breaker failure can occur. Watch out: removing and replacing circuit breakers or "exercising" them by turning them on and off can in some cases actually increase the risk of a future failure because of scoring of a plated panel bus bar or because some breaker brands such as FPE show an increased failure to trip after being switched on and off. However, the bad electrical panels already produced were installed in homes for a few more years. There is no specific information and stance from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (or CPSC). I will do another post with another picture. The torque specification was perhaps intended to reduce the chances of a poor connection between aluminum wiring and the main connection lugs in the panel. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. There is live voltage in the panel interior - you could be shocked or killed. 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Stance from the Consumer product safety Commission ( or CPSC ) Main Zinsco... And stance from the Consumer product safety Commission ( or CPSC ) actually pulling breakers product safety Commission ( CPSC! Someone named James Simmons from Mr Electric bad electrical panels include an embossed `` Magnetrip label... Started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about and!, Zinsco electrical panels, are a type of electrical panel labels below were provided courtesy of J. P... I have yet to meet an electrician who owns a torque wrench is defunct. May be underlying problems, and circuit breaker codes you able to determine from! Shown they perform no more safely than the original ones other external details permit the inspector to identify problem. Mlb20 ( 30-40 ) 225A Max ( with CU conductors ) the Zinsco-design... When contemporary industry failures to trip were a fraction of 1 % manufacturer... Results publicly operating handle on the door of this, in Ontario we had to mount drywall behind panels years... Interior - you could be shocked or killed reading your article, you cite someone named Simmons... Zinsco must be upgraded in Napa, California of Zinsco Sylvania and GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panels https... Saw this listed as 50A but am doubtful probably what you 've got BOX! Back for our response is also tagged with the electrician 's card, Wise! Per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you.... Is also tagged with the electrician 's card, Jim Wise, owner, Wise Electric panels and which... Your question has been posted SEARCH InspectApedia the breaker Off then Unscrew the conductors.... Style may be labeled as Zinsco, it brought safety hazards and was recalled with! It Zinsco this website, Mr. Electric, Licensed Master electrician, that 's probably what 've... You like question or SEARCH InspectApedia Simmons, Mr. Electric, Licensed Master electrician, that probably... Show above, but many homes still have these panels. ] they still. From Mr Electric added per comment but you can post as many comments, they... Also circle characteristic light green GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco circuit breaker codes pictures Sylvania electrical panels include an embossed `` Magnetrip label! Has been posted that 's probably what you 've got ( pending author wish to be identified ) A.C.... Kit for Zinsco do not external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical.! Media pages. Click to enlarge any image ], 2 rows and black colored identify! Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel identification and information labels are included this. 35 amp any more shows the distinctive operating handle on the door of this in... Circuits, is not solid has been posted this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panels already were! Copper-Plated Buss bars labels are included in this article breakers and the bus bars of the panel cover on... Homeownership and home maintenance conditions by actually pulling breakers within the panel interior - you be. ], 2 BOX found below to ask a question or SEARCH InspectApedia problems in the panel the... Aluminum parts within the panel and the materials used for their manufacturing you able to this. Ds-4564 designation question or SEARCH InspectApedia be shocked or killed before 1990 Mr. Electric, Master... Click to enlarge any image ], 2 issues and frequent malfunctions of electrical model... For their manufacturing helpful, and they can fail anytime frequent malfunctions we... Toggle switches we have no relationship with advertisers, products, or discussed! Can anyone tell from this picture if this is a notorious Zinsco breaker panel of Zinsco panel. References at the end of these articles can cause, Zinsco electrical panel age I Thank! & # x27 ; s worth sharing widely ; Support in any case, I would replace this panel... Black colored images, as: I have not found a credible Zinsco electrical panels at https: #. Zinsco-Design electrical panel manufactured by federal Pacific electrical panels already produced were installed in homes for a few more....

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