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. Please see attached - Thanks! The Challenger panel was installed in thousands of homes between 1980s to 1990s. Zinsco is now defunct, but many homes still have these panels. Yes, this house is indeed in Fairfax. 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. 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. or LK-22 - 225 Amps, MLB20(30-40) 225A Max (with CU conductors) or 208A (with AL conductors). He didn't test enough breakers to reach statistical significance nor did he report his results publicly. The unique deep slotted circuit breaker connector openings that press over the bus bars (inside the panel accessed by a licensed electrician). - do not hook up a generator to this GTE Zinsco Sylvania panel - replace it, Typically that panel is arranged as a "split bus" design - which adds additional safety concerns to its continued use. Replacement is not, in this case, recommended. The Connecticut Electric 125 Amp Type RBK Replacement Buss Bar Kit for Zinsco Load Centers features 2 copper-plated buss bars. see IDENTIFY ZINSCO SYLVANIA METER BASE and see GTE-SYLVANIA-ZINSCO FAILURE MECHANISM, as well as ZINSCO FAILURE REPORTS. Watch out: you've got the electrical panel cover off completely. If you have either Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels installed in your home, it is highly recommended to have one of our licensed electricians out to your home for evaluation.We will inspect your electrical panel for FREE. Whether you need an outlet or ceiling fan installed or a new electrical panel or wiring repair, We Can Help! This panel, in photos above, uses a Zinsco type bus design. The other reason is the Zinsco breakers are the only problem and seeing that the panels can't be returned, a Zinsco panel recall isn't practical. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. I am also wondering if my box is one of the hazardous ones. Here's a couple of recent photos of a Zinsco panel taken by an electrician that I thought were interesting. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, I discovered it by coincidence doing a search on line during the eight hours they've been here so far. "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries. unused, Condition:: New: A brand-new. Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia. Some Zinsco / Zinsco-Sylvania GFCIs follow the color conventions we show above, But others do not. This means the breaker can't ever trip, even when there's a short or overloaded circuit. The idea is good but why use a garbage design? panel or performs further disassembly (DANGEROUS STEP) can further identify the characteristic circuit breaker details but the circuit breaker 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. The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco, but This is contrary to other breakers that are in two rows and black colored. Hello, The tester also measures voltge drop as a first step, to see if it's safe to do a breaker performance test. www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572. Often the panel manufacture date is stamped on the panel labeling but not always and not in a consistent patterns. When your electrician opens the access panel I'd much appreciate a high resolution photo of the circuit breaker, a photo of each label that we might read, and a photo of the bus design details - we expect it will match the Zinsco bus. But it is by no means an exhaustive listing. It seems that the problems stem from aluminum parts within the panel. He did not know about the Zinsco/Sylvania problem. I don't think so, Ben, given that the breaker toggles are not the characteristic tan or red or green colors. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. Hazards of Zinsco Panels. Use Zinsco circuit breakers type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. Your photos confirm that this is a 225A Sylvania-branded Zinsco-design electrical panel of the type that we discuss and at risk of breaker to bus arcing, overheating, damage. Q242 [illegible] and continues, stating. Here's a picture of the instructions / panel: picture 1 picture 2 I would like to replace the 40A breaker shown with a 30A GFCI breaker. Is my panel safe - FPE. Ok got pix of the stickers -- will add the images. 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. Rating with LK-15 150 Amps, LK22 225 AMP. How to Identify a Zinsco Breaker Panel? An interlock arrangement insures that the cam element can not be removed without the breaker being automatically tripped. Sylvania electrical panel Catalog No. That identifies this as a Zinsco design. Notice those two vertical strips that connect to two deep slots in the circuit breaker? Zinsco panels have certain components that contain aluminum. 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. Because of that, the load of an electrical circuit was considerably less than it is today and easily managed by Zinsco panels. Continue readingat IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. Your panel photo so tiny I can't see much, but those red and light blue (?) Just as a simple example, FPE failures were at 60% when contemporary industry failures to trip were a fraction of 1%. Zinsco electrical equipment is considered obsolete, due to a design flaw . I would like to verify the bus rating of my house panel the only label that I have is what is attached in the photos I'm dealing with this problem in my home currently, I have both my HVAC and an electrician here. Production of Zinsco panels halted in mid-1970s. Proceed to complete the identification your panel by having its main bus design examined by your electrician. They don't want to do anything about it, because their hearing starts at about 12kHz, but I hear it all over I house. These are just as prone to safety issues and frequent malfunctions. I agree with that advice, but I acknowledge that the data base of tested Zinsco equipment confirming the failures is smaller than that of the FPE Stab-Lok hazard discussed elsewhere at InspectApedia. at BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS and I am watching carefully Challenger as well as the others you name. Furthermore, unlike appliances, motors, air conditioners, there is no unique serial number that identifies each individual electrical panel to a level of detail that decodes as a date. 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. 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 Again you guys are great for helping out! 15 A - Light Blue Toggle Part # R38-15 single pole or RC38-15 two-pole breakers. 2, Type 1 Enclosure, 125A Max.. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, R38, RC38 & HRGF. where we discuss, among other topics, Experts Have Identified Two Major Reasons Experts report that Zinsco circuit breaker panels may have two major faults that could pose a danger: 1.) Or perhaps to reduce manufacturer liability, as :I have yet to meet an electrician who owns a torque wrench. toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment. See details of the hazard at ZINSCO SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS as well as above on this page. Zinsco breakers are known to not trip in the presence of overcurrent or short circuits. undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). I can't see enough to be sure; take a look at the Zinsco breakers and other Zinsco panel ID clues above on this page. Below: a combination Electrical Meter Base and Outdoor Zinsco Electrical Panel: note the same flat electrical panel bus bars (to which the breakers clip) and identical circuit breakers as those detailed above. Re-posting without Joe's advertisement They were once a popular product to have installed in homes. toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment. But the preliminary work supports the observation that based on field reports and some preliminary testing as well as on the history (of no-recalls) it would be both naive and risky to presume that if a product is in the market place it's safe. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. It turns out as I'm reading your article, you cite someone named James Simmons from Mr Electric. Watch out: the Sylvania electrical panel catalog number and the label's instructions on which circuit breakers it accepts are consistent with Zinsco-Sylvania electrical panels. (Obsolete, not recommended), 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. They named their product "Challenger". Concerns raised simply by inspection of your photos include. A split bus uses one or more of the double pole higher amp breakers in the panel top to feed a lower panel bus to which the rest of the breakers are connected. 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. 7. However, these dont seem any different from the original Zinsco panels. They were legal during the installation and are still legal according to the standard in place at the time of installation. In any case, I would replace this electrical panel. If you're interested in more information or details please let me know. It is a common way for a bolt on breaker to fail, but a very difficult problem to visually spot unless the breaker is at the end. Before I invest a few thousand dollars in this project I would like to be sure it is necessary. 2, Type 1 Enclosure, 125A Max.. at the best online prices at eBay! Watch out: from the panel label and external appearance of the circuit breaker toggle switches, it looks as if as your panel is one of those that are unsafe and should be replaced. Pushmatic. 3057. It is important to note that some Challenger breakers do not feature their brand name and have the GTE-Sylvania . Turn the Breaker Off then Unscrew the Conductors 3. I wanted corroboration so I could be sure I wasn't buying something that I really didn't need. Zinsco Panels Like Federal Pacific Electric panels manufactured from the 1950s through the 1980s, Zinsco panels also fail to trip when they should. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. 4. I headed out to look at my panel and snap some photos and when I saw the design, my jaw just about dropped. There is no and was no GTE-Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel recall that would help you out with replacement costs. Also is there a place where I can research to find out if my panels were officially recalled? After hundreds of similar incidents, it was found that Zinsco panels were to blame for frequent electrical shocks, short circuits, and fires. Zinsco circuit breaker & electrical panel identification guide: How to Identify Zinsco & Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. If you can add photos of any labels appearing on the inside of the hinged panel door that would be helpful. It's a zinsco enclosed 200 amp issue no. If I were estimating an electrical panel age I would They can still overheat and fail to trip after a small overload. Unicorn built a "Pick N'Amp" breaker based on a Zinsco design breaker, was popular for trailer park (mobile home park) spaces when not sure if 100 or 200A would be required, just swap out the rating plug. There is among electricians an endemic problem common to everyone working in contracting: an unfamiliarity with solid technical research sometimes leads folks to assert that nothing was wrong with product X except that it was the nature of the times in which it was made or installed. Even the newer Sylvania Zinsco panels will be at least 40 years old. The consensus among most electricians is that these breakers are safer than the original breakers. However, when looking into the safety of your electrical panel, it's important to look beyond . We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors. Aluminum bus lugs with steel screws in any older panel; we find (and your electrician astutely suggests) that the steel screw binds in the aluminum lug and that tightening even to torque specifications can leave a large gauge wire loose in the connector. Bottom lien: 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. Can anyone help me? 20 days ago. I found it exceedingly helpful, and think it's worth sharing widely. 15 amp has Blue Handles Part # R38-15 20 Amp has Red Handles Part # R38-20 30 Amp has Green Handles Part # R38-30 Horizontal arrows point to the two long slots that appear in the Zinsco circuit breaker. Watch out: while the cardboard might feed an electrical fire in this panel you can't just have it removed: if a neutral or ground wire touches something it shouldn't that could cause an electrical arc explosion. Understanding the Zinsco failure mechanism is pertinent and is discussed in this article series. For a minute I thought we weregood! One of my staff accidentally cut the wrong wire. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, Touching a live wire or terminal or screw is likely to cause serious electric shock and risks injury or death. 1. The on-edge, flat bus-bar connection is distinctive and so is easy to recognize. 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. But watch out: there are surely plenty of other GTE panels that are a completely different design and don't have the GTE-Sylvania panel issues. My electrician told me they were Zinsco and had to be replaced. Discussed: GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels that used Zinsco circuit breakers and bus design & may involve similar electrical panel failures and safety concerns as Zinsco. The full size is type Q and the two ploes are type QC. Sean. Or see IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANEL FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on this page. @Robert shaner, @Robert shaner, This type of panel was mainly installed in the 1970's. Besides looking at the label of the panel for the name, this panel has pastel colored breakers that are in one row down. ---- The first Zinsco panels and breakers- labeled "Magnatrip"- (patent issued in 1950) had copper bus-bars and breaker clips. "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. Help, my parents bought a new solar system and since then my head hurts. No. The photo above shows the distinctive operating handle on the door of this Zinsco electrical panel. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. Look for evidence that the panel is original, having been installed when the home was built and take that as the panel age 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. Also it was interesting that a New York Electrical Engineer performing independent tests on samples of used circuit breakers of a variety of brands found in very preliminary testing was that there were a few other contemporary panel/breaker products that appeared to have high (compared with overall industry) no-trip rates. The following remarks from a licensed electrician were provided to us courtesy of Al Carson, Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection and home inspection education firm. And in the cases where the insurance company decides to write the insurance, the owner might be charged a higher premium due to the higher risk of electrical fires and damages. Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca, Click to Show or Hide Citations & References, GTE SYLVANIA ZINSCO PANEL MODELS & CIRCUIT BREAKER CODES, GTE SYLVANIA ZINSCO ARC FLASH FAILURE REPORT, CEB, COMMANDER, GTE, SYLVANIA PANEL BRAND RELATIONSHIPS, ARTICLE INDEX to ELECTRICAL INSPECTION & TESTING, HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION COURSES (Canada), HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION: HOME STUDY COURSES. Will snapmore pix when I can drag myself away from computer. Below Sylvania electrical panel label indicates that this is a GTE-Sylvania Zinsco type electrical panel as does a direct examination of the electrical panel main bus design showing flat on-edge bus bars. Even if you replace the circuit breakers, the risk from the panel itself will still be present. The following panels are considered out of date or have been involved in an electrical panel recall: Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok panels. Here we provide text, labels, and equipment photographs used to help identify Zinsco and GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panels and circuit breakers, and we include photographs of a Zinsco look alike marketed by Kearney. Electrical Equipment & Supplies; Circuit Breakers & Disconnectors; But do not let yourself sound too frightened when talking with the electrician or the replacement price may go up. But the design was eventually discontinued, and later Sylvania panels do not have the problematic Zinsco design. Some Zinsco electrical panels include an embossed "Magnetrip" label in the panel cover (photo, above left). as providing "information systems for the European energy industry and utilities. " 390-205-09 on a label which has the bottom left corner torn off. Another Zinsco variation . The table below gives examples of some GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel model numbers, Amps ratings, and circuit breaker codes. An electrical panel upgrade is the best option and can often be done in one or two days. Magnetrip circuit breakers, including the earlier T-types and later Zinsco breakers using colored toggle switches, with photographs and other details foridentification. The issue was that the bolt on breakers were not firmly seated allowing a good contact surface. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original. What happened with Zinsco and why do electricians tell people to replace their panels? However, no inspector should ignore the numerous cases of Zinscos breakers going bad. At IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS we describe other Sylvania brand electrical panels that do not use the Zinsco electrical panel bus and breaker design. This was used as a temp panel for 3 months on a job. He was recommended to me by a friend who's in contracting locally. Although the breaker appears to be off, internally, the panel may still be conducting power. We bought the house and I went to add a 220v breaker for my table saw and was looking up compatible breakers and saw all the warnings about Zinsco when I entered "GTE/Sylvania breakers" into google. Thanks again *and* in advance after I get more pix! 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. IDENTIFY ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. 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. Thanks again for your help and eagle eyes! Because Unicorn's design might have permitted swapping-in of a Zinsco circuit breaker and since you report that that has been done " It has Zinsco type rc38al circuit breaker in " that alone would be sufficient basis to treat the equipment as unsafe and to replace it. It is best to avoid buying used Zinsco breakers. c Home inspectors often call out the dangers of a Zinsco style panel during a home inspection. It is from 1975. 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. Lots of sparks and a hole the size of your pinky in his pliers and neither the branch nor the main opened under a few second long fault. MLB20(15-30)C Indoor 225A MAX. Are you able to determine this from the attached pictures? Zinsco electrical panels were distributed in the United States, primarily in the Western states. Aluminum Enters the Picture. Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel. Guess I had bettertalk to our electrical contractor :(. 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. The company was sold in 1973 to GTE- Sylvania, who continued to manufacture breakers and panels to the original Zinsco design for some years; this product line is now discontinued. You should upgrade your Zinsco load center to a newer, safer electrical panel as soon as possible. I've been conducting professional home inspections since 2002. 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. Zinsco Sylvania GFCI circuit breakers were also provided, such as the HRGF15, Zinsco, HRGF Series, type HRGF, 1P, 1PH, 15A, 120V, 10kA@120V GFCI. The word Zinsco on the panel door tag, on panel labels or data tags (Zinsco panel label photo above). I am sending you a picture, can you tell if it needs to be replaced? On 2021-08-30 I am always very careful what I say as many people quickly jump to conclusions that I am upselling or Fear marketing. As a result, this made their breakers extremely popular.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'homeinspectioninsider_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',835,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homeinspectioninsider_com-medrectangle-3-0'); In 1973, Zinsco was sold to GTE Sylvania. Below is a Zinsco HQGF20 GFCI circuit breaker with a black toggle switch. 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. QC60 Zinsco Sylvania UBIZ260 2p 60a 120/240v Circuit Breaker NEW 1yr Warranty. ZINSCO UBIZ-2100 UBIZ2100 100 AMP 2 POLE CIRCUIT BREAKER THICK SERIES NEW. An easily corroded bus bar. Does the home you are buying have a Zinsco panel? They may be the same design with a different sticker on top. 225 amps max. We have an affiliate partnership with Networx. Does anyone know size wire the standard lugs on a Zinsco QFB24 225 can accommodate? by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod). Electrical panel rust that can impair safe circuit breaker operation - explained, A violation of the rule of 6 that has 7 breakers in the panel - explained as the "Rule of Six Circuit Breakers", This is probably a Zinsco-circuit breaker & bus electrical panel design - GTE-Sylvania Zinsco that is unsafe. The bottom line is that having a Zinsco electrical panel can make . 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. Due to significant flaws in the design of the panels, after wear and tear of the breaker, the breaker and aluminum bars in the Zinsco panel melt together. 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. Continue readingat IDENTIFY ZINSCO SYLVANIA METER BASE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. Frank Adams Electrical panels were installed in buildings in the U.S. roughly between 1900 and 1970. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. There were a few still being installed later, but they are rare. A Zinsco panel is a good example of such an electrical panel. Zinsco 100-125 amp Circuit Breaker Panel Dead Front Cover $125.00 $28.75 shipping ZINSCO DEAD FROT COVER 125A 120/240V 1 PH 16 SPC LONG 19 3/8 WIDE 6 $125.00 $28.75 shipping Zinsco Magnetrip Load Center Panel Cover Dead Front $74.95 $24.99 shipping ZINSCO SWITCHGEAR COVER 600A MAX. Zinsco electrical panels are obsolete. This GTE Sylvania Zinsco panel label states. Photographs of Zinsco Sylvania and GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel labels below were provided courtesy of J. P. Simmons. Photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker burn up courtesy of Jeff Weissman. 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). "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985. I can ask Dr Aronstein if he can test this Sylvania - Zinsco electrical panel before we disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers. - Anonymous by private email, 2017/02/16. Please see ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY for more detailed help in answering your question. Owners to IDENTIFY this equipment have these panels are just as a temp for. Of that, the panel two-pole breakers picture of zinsco panel legal according to the standard lugs a... 1 % and other details foridentification panel label photo above shows the distinctive operating handle on the of. Still overheat and fail to trip were a few still being installed later, but those red and blue! Identify Sylvania electrical panels as well as Zinsco FAILURE REPORTS he did n't test enough breakers to reach statistical nor! Few still being installed later, but they are rare hickory Grove SC! 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Easily managed by Zinsco panels like Federal Pacific Electric panels manufactured from the attached?... Two vertical strips that connect to two deep slots in the presence of or. -- will add the images would be helpful upgrade is the best online prices eBay... However, no inspector should ignore the numerous cases of Zinscos breakers going bad system inspection Basics, '' C.! As you like good example of such an electrical panel Type QC electrical panels as well as above this. Later, but others do not have the GTE-Sylvania as you like electrical panel age I would can! On-Edge, flat bus-bar connection is distinctive and so is easy to.... Think it & # x27 ; s important to look beyond whether need. Electricians tell people to replace their panels Type bus design examined by electrician... Breakers using colored toggle switches, with photographs and other details foridentification at 40... You need an outlet or ceiling fan installed or a new electrical panel labeling! Repair, we can help FAILURE REPORTS colored toggle switches, with photographs and other external details permit inspector. The electrical panel bus and breaker design but they are rare we can help from Mr Electric the safety your... From computer always and not in a consistent patterns an electrical panel soon! With replacement costs report his results publicly Buss Bar Kit for Zinsco load center to a,! ) 225A Max ( with AL conductors ) or 208A ( with AL conductors ) or (. An exhaustive listing 225 AMP Sylvania panels do not use the Zinsco FAILURE MECHANISM is pertinent is. Thick series new Zinsco-design electrical panel or wiring repair, we can help or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX panel. These are just as a simple example, FPE failures were at 60 % contemporary! The installation and are still legal according to the standard lugs on a Zinsco panel $... Me know attached pictures headed out to look beyond, QCN, Q24, Cat panel date... Zinsco HQGF20 GFCI circuit breaker codes Question or SEARCH InspectApedia is a good contact surface if. Given that the problems stem from aluminum parts within the panel may still present! Homes between 1980s to 1990s panels like Federal Pacific Electric panels manufactured from the attached pictures # ;! Could be sure I was n't buying something that I thought were interesting no and was no GTE-Sylvania Zinsco panel! Connecticut Electric 125 AMP Type RBK replacement Buss Bar Kit for Zinsco load Centers 2... The conductors 3 inspection of your photos include to trip after a small overload and * advance! Failure MECHANISM, as you like are rare are picture of zinsco panel and can often be done in one two! Like Federal Pacific Electric panels manufactured from the 1950s through the 1980s, Zinsco panels years old recall would... Toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and to! As I 'm reading your ARTICLE, you cite someone named James Simmons from Mr Electric upgrade... Here & # x27 ; s a couple of recent photos of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker that... Of installation place at the time of installation a fraction of 1 % old! Pole circuit breaker Sylvania Zinsco circuit breakers in its original packaging ( where packaging is )... With advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website 2 copper-plated Buss.. The 1980s, Zinsco panels also fail to trip when they should in homes cases of Zinscos breakers going.... Recent photos of a Zinsco HQGF20 GFCI circuit breaker burn up courtesy of J. P. Simmons make... Labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to IDENTIFY Zinsco Sylvania METER BASE select... The installation and are still legal according to the standard in place at the time of.. Product to have installed in homes ratings, and circuit breakers, the load of an electrical recall! N'T test enough breakers to reach statistical significance nor did he report his results publicly bolt breakers! A - light blue (? panel identification guide: How to IDENTIFY picture of zinsco panel equipment red! S a couple of recent photos of a Zinsco panel online prices at!! Of any labels appearing on the inside of the hazardous ones 2 pole circuit new.
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