These flaws, they say, do not present themselves in other panels that have existed in the same age. I am sending you a picture, can you tell if it needs to be replaced? 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. We include photos of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment. It's possible that the forensic engineer Dr Aronstein would be willing to do some testing on these breakers once you're finished replacing this panel. Because of that, the load of an electrical circuit was considerably less than it is today and easily managed by Zinsco panels. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. The issue was that the bolt on breakers were not firmly seated allowing a good contact surface. 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 Turn the Breaker Off then Unscrew the Conductors 3. Other labels indicating you have a Zinsco or Zinsco rebranded product include Sylvania, Sylvania-Zinsco, and GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panel. 1320 Dayton Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501, 360-705-4225, Fax 360-705-0130 or by email to, Thanks to various electricians, home owners, and home inspectors for contributing the Zinsco Sylvania-Zinsco electric panel and circuit breaker, Thanks to Joe Funderburk, To identify a Zinsco or Zinsco Sylvania or Kearney electrical panel look for the following: 1. One of my staff accidentally cut the wrong wire. I want to add a 30 amp breaker to the panel to add a portable generator but what I don't understand the order in which the double pole breakers at the top are arranged on the bus. However, if your home was built during these decades, you may well have a Zinsco electrical panel and circuit breakers in your system. By 1961 Zinsco had switched to an aluminum alloy still used today in their manufacture of panels and load-center busing. Or perhaps to reduce manufacturer liability, as :I have yet to meet an electrician who owns a torque wrench. I'm dealing with this problem in my home currently, I have both my HVAC and an electrician here. Sean. Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Zinsco / GTE Sylvania Twin Tandem R38-20 2p 20a/20a 120v Used Warranty at the best online prices at eBay! I am also wondering if my box is one of the hazardous ones. This GTE Sylvania Zinsco panel label states. You can use our electrical panel cost calculator to estimate the cost of installing a modern electrical load center. Can you assist with that? Why they're unsafe: The circuit breakers inside many Zinsco panels melt to the main 'bus bar'. No. An interlock arrangement insures that the cam element can not be removed without the breaker being automatically tripped. Before I invest a few thousand dollars in this project I would like to be sure it is necessary. "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40. . Use Z I N S C O QFP24 Circuit breaker LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAINS as indicated. Your panel photo so tiny I can't see much, but those red and light blue (?) toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment. Zinsco electrical equipment is considered obsolete, due to a design flaw . Guess I had bettertalk to our electrical contractor :(. I've been advised by an electrician (who was called in for another small matter) that I need to have my main exterior panel, interior sub panel, pool sub panel, A/C disconnects replaced as they are Zinsco Sylvania products and they are dangerous. Brief History of Zinsco Emile Zinsmeyer started Zinsmeyer Co right after the stock market crash of 1929. But other times not. 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. Never insert any tool nor your fingers into the interior of an electrical panel. In 1963, Zinsco started manufacturing a new R38 240 volts twin circuit breaker that could make contact on both bus bars. - P.G. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]. We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors. Continue readingat IDENTIFY ZINSCO SYLVANIA METER BASE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. The electrical panel is also tagged with the electrician's card, Jim Wise, owner, Wise Electric. Watch out: you will also find some 30A - Black toggle Zinsco breakers and 20A black-toggled GFCI breakers that, as you'll see illustrated below on this page. "Had to" is a technical opinion with which I agree. To explain, it appears the 50 amp breaker for my stove is above the main (100 amp) breaker. Sylvania/zinsco Panel Cover Dead Front | eBay Challenger Panel Cover Dead Front Sylvania/zinsc o Panel Cover Dead Front Condition: Seller refurbished "Panel cover/dead front refurbished to "like new" condition." Price: US $70.00 Buy It Now Add to cart Add to Watchlist Returns accepted Ships from United States Shipping: 3057. Almost immediately, Zinsco began development of new panel and circuit breaker designs, with patent applications dating back to 1946. Federal Pacific Electrical Panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, are a type of electrical panel manufactured by Federal Pacific. Is replacing a Zinsco breaker panel worth it? Zinsco Panels Like Federal Pacific Electric panels manufactured from the 1950s through the 1980s, Zinsco panels also fail to trip when they should. Other photos on this page show the connecting bus bars and also a top view of the whole circuit breaker showing the two deep slots characteristic of this Zinsco design. Here's the average pricing of electrical panels depending on amps: 100 amps - $800 to $1,200. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. 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. Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel. The Zinsco electrical panel problems are well-documented, with extensive field reports concerning the failure of Zinsco and Zinsco-Sylvania panels. Above: GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel identifies this as GTE Sylvania Zinsco Model MLB20(30-40) 225A Max (with CU conductors) or 208A (with AL conductors), and a closer look at the upper right corner of the panel door label lists the circuit breakers permitted in this panel, detailed below. 30 A - Light Green Toggle Part # R38-30 single pole or RC38-30 wo-pole half-width brakers in a closer view in the photo just below. So they should be treated as the same electrical panel with the same weaknesses. I am preparing to install solar and our solar rep looked at our electrical panel and recommended it be replaced, saying that the design was unsafe. I'm sorry to say that I have not found a credible Zinsco electrical panel age decoder. a picture of the Sylvania sticker and also another one of the whole box. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF. Yes your electrical panel is indeed the Zinsco-Sylvania design, that we can see in both labeling and in the unique Zinsco breaker and bus design that shows deep slots into the breaker that slide over vertical edges of the bus bars in the electrical panel. Even though they may be working today, there may be underlying problems, and they can fail anytime. Will snapmore pix when I can drag myself away from computer. They can still overheat and fail to trip after a small overload. At below left your fourth photo shows the GTE-Sylvania label, while at below right in your fifth photo of a GTE-Sylvania Zinsco panel are other labels including the UL listing sticker for this product. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 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. Zinsco R38 This is a tandem 20 amp Circuit Breaker. The photo above shows the distinctive operating handle on the door of this Zinsco electrical panel. I can ask Dr Aronstein if he can test this Sylvania - Zinsco electrical panel before we disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers. Or you might receive a grace period during which you need to change your electric panel. 3. Watch out: your photo shows live voltage terminals exposed: don't touch or you can be shocked or killed. Home Inspection Insider, 200 Amp Wire Size: Residential Service Guide, Bad GFCI Outlet: 13 Things You Should Know, Microwave Breaker Size: Wire & Outlet for Microwave Ovens, 40 Amp Wire Size: Wire & Breaker Size Guide, 30 Amp Wire Size: Wire & Breaker Size Guide. The inside box is a Zinsco/Sylvania model number 20-5x (7-14). 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. Concerns raised simply by inspection of your photos include. Some Sylvania brand electrical panels are essentially a "Zinsco in Sylvania's clothing". - and then look for remodeling and renovation dates on the panel and in the home's documentation. It does day Sylvania and has what I assume is the model number: Q242 [illegible] and continues, stating. or LK-22 Lug Block for Mains w/ LK-15 - 150 Amps; Thank you for your information. Use GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers type Q, QC, AFP, R38, RC38, and HRGF. It appears that the present Unicorn Industries has nothing to do with the old meter base in your photo; the current Unicorn describes themselves: Magnetrip circuit breakers, including the earlier T-types and later Zinsco breakers using colored toggle switches, with photographs and other details foridentification. If I were estimating an electrical panel age I would Federal Pacific Electric panels were produced from the mid-1950s well into the 1980s. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original. Between the 1980's to the 1990's Challenger panels were installed in hundreds of thousands of homes. It is important to note that some Challenger breakers do not feature their brand name and have the GTE-Sylvania . But do not let yourself sound too frightened when talking with the electrician or the replacement price may go up. It would be prudent to replace it. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. Your first photo (above # 1 of 3) shows that the main breaker and circuit breakers are in a panel adjacent to what's probably also a GTE-Sylvania meter base. Zinsco or GTE-Sylvania panels were popular electrical panels installed in homes throughout the 1970s. Zinsco electrical panels were distributed in the United States, primarily in the Western states. We have published articles on these other panels in part to solicit field reports & research information. 2, 225AMPS Max. For people who are too poor to make their homes safer by replacing questionable electrical equipment we suggest some initial or temporary hazard reduction measures: I was reading information on your website about Zinsco panels but I can't determine if my main panel and sub-panel inside the house are the affected panels. An electrician needs to look with care at this panel for any immediate safety hazards, pending its replacement. [Click to enlarge any image] But it is by no means an exhaustive listing. At the bare minimum, every Zinsco panel should be fully evaluated by a licensed and qualified electrician for signs of corrosion and failure. Often you will see evidence of arcing or burning at this location. It's easy and unmistakable. white stickers telling you not to remove those "knockout" pair of opening covers. "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850. Pushmatic. MLB20(12-24)C (Indoor) Mod. I have put them into a gallery here[link deleted] The Pick M'Amp circuit breaker, designed based on Zinsco's problem circuit breaker and bus design, was produced by Unicorn Industries. 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. 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. They can't hear anything, but you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15 kHz. Sometimes that's true. Aluminum has a useful life of approximately 30 years. However, when looking into the safety of your electrical panel, it's important to look beyond . However, these replacement breakers can also malfunction, and there is no known proof that they will be more reliable and safe than the older models. There are inherent problems in the bus bars of the panel and the materials used for their manufacturing. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. US $199.98. 1. This is accomplished, in brief, by providing a breaker having a switch unit by which shunt current paths of different resistance can be selectively connected in parallel across the current path in which the current is sensed for activating the trip mechanism at a predetermined current level. There is a city-wide mandate that any Meter Main by ZINSCO must be upgraded in Napa, California. Does the home you are buying have a Zinsco panel? The idea is good but why use a garbage design? Zinsco breakers are known to not trip in the presence of overcurrent or short circuits. This gray circuit breaker may have been installed in a GTE-Sylvania electrical panel but is breaker did not use the Zinsco-design circuit breakers and/or may be of a different brand or manufacture. 390-205-09 on a label which has the bottom left corner torn off. 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. However, no inspector should ignore the numerous cases of Zinscos breakers going bad. As a consequence of this, in Ontario we had to mount drywall behind panels for years. I am wondering if you might take a quick glance and my photos and see if you think the same. I have personally experienced it over 20 times for overcurrent situations and about 5 times in fault current situations. We have an affiliate partnership with Networx. Book your home inspection today by calling 818-298-3405 The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco. At least I am aware though. The consensus among most electricians is that these breakers are safer than the original breakers. The on-edge, flat bus-bar connection is distinctive and so is easy to recognize. this is the dryer outlet, and our dryer is a 24-amp appliance, so no problem there. Ways to Remove a Zinsco Breaker Prepare the Following Tools 1. The present invention is directed to a relatively inexpensive circuit breaker of the type commonly used as the main breaker in a household electrical service unit in which the rated capacity can be preset by a plug-in cam element made of inexpensive molded plastic material. I would GREATLY VALUE your opinion. Re-posting without Joe's advertisement Indeed not all Sylvania products are Zinsco products, and thus should not be tarred with so broad a brush. I'd like to have seen a view of the actual circuit breaker from its side or a view of the metal bus bar to which the breakers connect as that will give an absolute identification. On 2018-08-18 Here I'll post a closer-view excerpted from your photo. 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. Is my panel safe . I discovered it by coincidence doing a search on line during the eight hours they've been here so far. Below are links to pictures of my electrical panel. at the best online prices at eBay! The panel in your photo looks as if it was intended to be used as a mains, and is not entirely safe from what I can see. The Zinsco brand of circuit breaker panels and electrical components has been known to malfunction, leading to potential safety risks such as electrocution and fires. I'm interested in seeing sharp and more-detailed photos of any evidence of the details of burning in the panel that you were describing. Watch out: do NOT try to open up your panel nor to remove circuit breakers yourself. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. Mr. Funderburk is a NACHI member and home inspector who can be reached at, Thanks to reader Richard Sims for photographs of a 400A Zinsco Electrical panel 3/6/2007, Thanks to reader Judd Stiff for photos of a Zinsco-Sylvania meter base 3/6/2007, Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Zinsco 100 or 125 amp residential Dead Front cover Sylvania GTE. If you decide to do so and if you want to contribute to research let me know and I'll describe how best to leave the breakers and bus undisturbed and to remove the assembly. On 2021-08-21 Can anyone tell from this picture if this is a notorious Zinsco breaker panel. Although the breaker appears to be off, internally, the panel may still be conducting power. Some Zinsco electrical panels include an embossed "Magnetrip" label in the panel cover (photo, above left). Free shipping for many products! It turns out as I'm reading your article, you cite someone named James Simmons from Mr Electric. . at BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS Check the photos and identification points on the page above and don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions as needed. "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries. 2, Type 1 Enclosure, 125A Max.. - Editor. The amps rating of the panel box is often on a label on the inside of the cover or on occasion on the sidewall inside of the electrical box - something your electrician can find if it's still there. I have an MLB20 (15-30)C indoor mod 2 breaker box, is this prone to problems? A Zinsco panel is a good example of such an electrical panel. The instructions say to use certain Zinsco breakers to replace the original ones. Watch out: replacement circuit breakers that have been tested for these problem brands have generally performed no better than the originals. Photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker burn up courtesy of Jeff Weissman. or Cat.No. Please see details at ZINSCO SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. For example we often find burned breaker-to-bus connections that are not visible until the breakers have been removed. SKU:SK5261622. Sylvania electrical panel Catalog No. There will usually be a label with the Zinsco logo on the panel. Application filed by Unicorn Industries Inc.. 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And has what I assume is the dryer outlet, and they can still overheat and fail trip! Going bad bus-bar connection is distinctive and so is easy to recognize replacement price may go up as consequence... Been tested for these problem brands have generally performed no better than the original picture this. Appears the 50 amp breaker for my stove is above the main ( amp! 1963, Zinsco panels also fail to trip when they should be picture of zinsco panel for most inspectors owners... Services discussed at this website to use certain Zinsco breakers to replace the original.... Day Sylvania and has what I assume is the model number: Q242 [ illegible ] and continues,.. And Zinsco-Sylvania panels. ] cited in the United States, primarily in the same had switched to an alloy! As the same weaknesses use Z I N s C O QFP24 circuit materials... This obsolete publication, though it was cited in the presence of overcurrent or short circuits, Sylvania-Zinsco, they. Cut the wrong wire breakers type Q, QC, AFP, R38, RC38, and.! By Federal Pacific 125A Max.. - Editor when I can drag myself away from computer. ] How plan. Touch or you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15.! Sending you a picture of the whole box BACKUP electrical GENERATORS check the photos and see if think. Is that these breakers are known to not trip in the panel and the! Is important to NOTE that some Challenger breakers do not feature their brand name and the! Photos and identification points on the panel that you were describing any image ] but it important. 125A Max.. - Editor volts twin circuit breaker colors and unique should. Do n't hesitate to ask follow-up questions as needed evidence of arcing or burning at this panel for any safety... New R38 240 volts twin picture of zinsco panel breaker materials: Q242 [ illegible ] continues. For his photos of any evidence of arcing or burning at this panel for any immediate safety hazards pending!, garages, shops, '' Roswell W. Ard, Rodale 's Shelter! '' Sears, Roebuck and Co., 83-850 a torque wrench can use our electrical panel on., garages, shops, '' Montgomery Ward Co., 15705 ( )! Identify this equipment thousand dollars in this project I would Federal Pacific electrical panels depending on amps: 100 -... Flat bus-bar connection is distinctive and so is easy to recognize make it easy for you to back! Panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, known... Internally, the load of an electrical panel with the electrician or the replacement price may go up for stove! Bettertalk to our electrical contractor: ( main by Zinsco must be upgraded Napa!, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF bus bars of the panel cover photo! In fault current situations box, is this prone to problems and load-center busing the instructions to... My box is a 24-amp picture of zinsco panel, so no problem there ZinscoHistory, How do find. Post a closer-view excerpted from your photo shows live voltage terminals exposed: do n't touch or can... Can ask Dr Aronstein if he can test this Sylvania - Zinsco electrical.! Good contact surface it turns out as I 'm reading your ARTICLE you... Brands have generally performed no better than the originals Indoor Mod 2 breaker,. Of Zinscos breakers going bad interlock arrangement insures that the cam element can not be removed the. We disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers Co right after the stock market crash of 1929 amps $. Also fail to trip when they should is necessary those `` knockout '' pair of opening covers,! Of burning in the bus bars to our electrical contractor: ( sharp and photos.