Zinsco electrical panels were distributed in the United States, primarily in the Western states. . the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. We have an affiliate partnership with Networx. 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. Like Zinsco, it brought safety hazards and was recalled. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type QFP It showed that the central ZINSCO panel and circuit breaker failure problems stem from burn-ups at those clip-to-bus connections. 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. Tandem 15A, 20A, 30A, and occasionally larger amperage "cheater" circuit breakers by Zinsco were sold in the same colors as above. 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. Zinsco circuit breaker & electrical panel identification guide: How to Identify Zinsco & Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. I should point out that the new Commander panels appear to be a good products. You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. I can ask Dr Aronstein if he can test this Sylvania - Zinsco electrical panel before we disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers. at the best online prices at eBay! Zinsco panels are known for being unsafe, as they are prone to overheating and arcing. 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. The unique deep slotted circuit breaker connector openings that press over the bus bars (inside the panel accessed by a licensed electrician). Never insert any tool nor your fingers into the interior of an electrical panel. A more common complaint about these breakers is that they are loose and easily fall out, and without the panel cover on dont make good contact with the bus bar. 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. ---- Does anyone know size wire the standard lugs on a Zinsco QFB24 225 can accommodate? An electrical panel upgrade is the best option and can often be done in one or two days. Experts report that Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) circuit breaker panels may have three major faults that could pose a danger: 1.) But I did a search and found your very detailed page (https://InspectAPedia.com/electric/GTE_Sylvania_Zinsco_Identification.php) on the topic. 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 really like the quality of info on your website but I guess since I don't know anything about electrical panels I don't fully understand what I should be looking at when trying to identify the affected panels. Ok got pix of the stickers -- will add the images. Free shipping for many products! Insurance companies have become increasingly cautious when signing insurance for older properties with FPE or Zinsco installed. The photo above shows the distinctive operating handle on the door of this Zinsco electrical 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. 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. Aluminum has a useful life of approximately 30 years. see IDENTIFY ZINSCO SYLVANIA METER BASE and see GTE-SYLVANIA-ZINSCO FAILURE MECHANISM, as well as ZINSCO FAILURE REPORTS. Continue readingat IDENTIFY ZINSCO SYLVANIA METER BASE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. It has Zinsco type rc38al circuit breaker in it. Their breakers can overheat and fail to trip at 135% circuit overload or higher due to aluminum alloy bus bars and loose breaker connections. unused, Condition:: New: A brand-new. Clockwise from upper left: Compare these to other circuit breakers or to other Zinsco breakers in this article series. Still, if your electrical panel uses the circuit breakers listed here it may be a Zinsco design. Thank you for your information. I happily agreed and thought it would be a great opportunity to test out my new GoPro 9 in the process. 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). It looks like I have the unsafe Sylvania GTE panel. Maybe try again; type in the Comment box, then click the "Add Image" button to select an image file from your computer or smartphone or tablet. The power lines that lead out go directly to the meter which has no shut off (including in the box housing the meter). 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. Ok, I see, the panel label has the language you spotted. "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985. 390-205-09 on a label which has the bottom left corner torn off. An interlock arrangement insures that the cam element can not be removed without the breaker being automatically tripped. Note the panel style and construction details and then see Also see the non-Zinsco design panels at IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS. 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. Zinsco is one of those brands, with their panels considered not safe to use anymore. Some Sylvania brand electrical panels are essentially a "Zinsco in Sylvania's clothing". and I am watching carefully Challenger as well as the others you name. circuit breakers are characteristic of Zinsco-design breakers. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, It is from 1975. Look for evidence that the panel is original, having been installed when the home was built and take that as the panel age He was recommended to me by a friend who's in contracting locally. Victor [by private email] 10 September 2015. We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. No, Nick, at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS you'll see the company has long been out of business. 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. Touching a live wire or terminal or screw is likely to cause serious electric shock and risks injury or death. Zinsco panels, also known as GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panels. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]. It appears to be less than 10 years old, but with some older breakers in it.still the main should have tripped. Almost immediately, Zinsco began development of new panel and circuit breaker designs, with patent applications dating back to 1946. GTE Sylvania Zinsco breaker & panel identification: How to Identify Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. Other Zinsco electrical panel identification and information labels are included in this article. 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. Zinsco is considered unsafe and a serious fire hazard without being officially recognized by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). If you're interested in more information or details please let me know. The Pick M'Amp circuit breaker, designed based on Zinsco's problem circuit breaker and bus design, was produced by Unicorn Industries. 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. 2, Type 1 Enclosure, 125A Max.. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, The Zinsco panel may be under the name of Sylvania, GTE-Sylvania or Kearney. Aluminum Enters the Picture. Insurance companies and even lenders (if you are looking for a mortgage) know the inherent risk of insuring properties with older and dangerous electrical panels. 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 would GREATLY VALUE your opinion. Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. Some of these such as FPE involved outright fraud by people who knew perfectly well that the product did not perform properly. The younger Zinsmeyer took over the company from his father in 1943 and renamed it Zinsco. Watch out: replacement circuit breakers that have been tested for these problem brands have generally performed no better than the originals. To identify a Zinsco panel, look for a vertical line of color-coded circuit breaker handles down the middle of the electrical box. - Anonymous by private email 2019/01/30. These are just as prone to safety issues and frequent malfunctions. Turn the Breaker Off then Unscrew the Conductors 3. Hopefully you can help. 1. We include photos of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment. 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. white stickers telling you not to remove those "knockout" pair of opening covers. No. 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. There were problems found with our air handlers and they were wondering if that is what caused this Ark. Depending on the panels amperage (150A or 200A panels will cost more), additional electrical upgrades may also be necessary. See GTE-SYLVANIA-ZINSCO FAILURE MECHANISM. The unsafe electrical panels sold by Zinsco were prevalent between the 1960s and 1970s. History of the Challenger Panel. One of my staff accidentally cut the wrong wire. But the panel does have two unused knockout positions above breakers #1 and #2. As you see in the photo just above where there is a two-pole RC38-50 breaker set, some Zinsco or GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breakers and their toggle switches are solid black. SKU:I37023078. 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. 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 panel label specifically says to use Zinsco circuit breakers. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries. In 1973, the GTE Corporation launched an electric panel design and called it "Challenger". According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 46,700 home fires annually due to electrical failure or malfunction. 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. 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. Just as a simple example, FPE failures were at 60% when contemporary industry failures to trip were a fraction of 1%. There are inherent problems in the bus bars of the panel and the materials used for their manufacturing. 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. IDENTIFY ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. Federal Pacific Electrical Panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, are a type of electrical panel manufactured by Federal Pacific. Joe's advice is in our opinion bad and unsafe. It turns out as I'm reading your article, you cite someone named James Simmons from Mr Electric. The copper shortage of the 1960's was primarily caused by the US . Re-posting without Joe's advertisement That's probably what you've got. (Click on Icons to go to social media pages.) Zinsco is now defunct, but many homes still have these panels. We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors. But I would rather live in a house full of knob and tube than one of these panels. If I can see photos of the breaker from side view of of the panel bus bar assembly or both we can confirm that. At IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS we describe other Sylvania brand electrical panels that do not use the Zinsco electrical panel bus and breaker design. WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board. Well I am in the middle of Working From Home in this crazy time! If this were my electrical panel I'd replace it. undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). 400 amps - $2,300 to $4,200. One's the SE with the cover open, next is a close up of the breakers (look at the 125 A main): Here's the 125 A breaker removed: I understand the home is getting a completely new SE panel. I headed out to look at my panel and snap some photos and when I saw the design, my jaw just about dropped. - and then look for remodeling and renovation dates on the panel and in the home's documentation. Back at our computer and seeing a larger image of your photo, yes, that sure looks like a Zinsco breaker design - notice those "on-edge" bus bars onto which the breaker clips? [Click to enlarge any image] . Some of these design flaws include: Easy corrosion of the bus bar The reason I need to verify the buss rating is I am looking to possibly get a solar system and would like to use my existing panel. 2, 225 AMPS 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. The most common amperages are from 15 to 30 amp. You should upgrade your Zinsco load center to a newer, safer electrical panel as soon as possible. [Click to enlarge any image], 2. Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel. Some history of Unicorn Industries circuit breakers is at. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. Zinsco Class Action Lawsuit In 2002, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Federal Pacific Electric and Zinsco regarding the danger posed by their electrical panels. On 2018-08-18 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. 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. Look for an electrical inspector's stamp of approval of the installation - those, if present, are dated and signed. 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. 20 March 2015. Unfortunately, yes, that's a Zinsco-Sylvania panel design. But current electrical needs have become greater over the years and these panels are simply not up to code. Note the deep slots in the circuit breaker that slip over and "clip" onto the flat connecting bus bars in the Zinsco electrical panel. 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. I'm sorry to say that I have not found a credible Zinsco electrical panel age decoder. If you need to replace your entire Zinsco electrical panel, the cost can range from $800 to $4,200, depending on the amp rating your home needs. Hi all what about unicorn electrical products? 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. "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. . 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. Here's a couple of recent photos of a Zinsco panel taken by an electrician that I thought were interesting. At IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS we describe other Sylvania brand electrical panels that do not use the Zinsco electrical panel bus and breaker design. The peace of mind of having an upgraded panel is likely worth it. The characteristic colored Zinsco red, green, blue, gray & white toggle switches on the circuit breakers in the Zinsco electrical panel. Ways to Remove a Zinsco Breaker Prepare the Following Tools 1. But in your case we can see the familiar label in your photographs. 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 If your electrician pulls the breaker you'll be able to compare its breaker-to-bus connection with the identification photos above on this page. circuit breakers, electrical panels, including Not sure what amp panel I have either - looks like maybe 150 amp. Replacing a Zinsco breaker panel is often worth it, as the older panels can be unreliable and may not meet current safety codes. 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. I went to those sites and still cannot determine if mine is a Zinsco. Photo courtesy Tim Hemm cited at references at the end of these articles. Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca, Click to Show or Hide Citations & References, Magnatrip & Other Zinsco Electrical Panels & Circuit Breakers, ARTICLE INDEX to ELECTRICAL INSPECTION & TESTING, HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION COURSES (Canada), HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION: HOME STUDY COURSES. 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 Why GFCI Outlets have a Blinking Red Light? To identify a Zinsco or Zinsco Sylvania or Kearney electrical panel look for the following: 1. Joe JRL Electric Supply said: single pole, yellow handle. 112. r/solar. 15 A - Light Blue Toggle Part # R38-15 single pole or RC38-15 two-pole breakers. In 1963, Zinsco started manufacturing a new R38 240 volts twin circuit breaker that could make contact on both bus bars. This Zinsco-Sylvania-GTE electrical panel label specifies. 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. The 1970s saw the installation of Sylvania panels, known by three different names- GTE, Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel. 20 A - Red Toggle Part # R38-20 or RC38-20 double pole. A good place to start reading about proper generator hookup is 15 amp has Blue Handles Part # R38-15 20 Amp has Red Handles Part # R38-20 30 Amp has Green Handles Part # R38-30 Your photos show an apparent arc burn flash-over soot on the interior of the Zinsco/Sylvania panel cover, on what appear to be the entering service mains, on the side of the panel enclosure, and on a cluster of circuit breakers shown in this detailed image below. Use Zinsco circuit breakers type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. No. Zinsco panels may not meet today's updated safety codes. I wanted corroboration so I could be sure I wasn't buying something that I really didn't need. There is a UL-listed test instrument that measures the magnetic response of a 15 or 20 amp brach circuit breaker. Proceed to complete the identification your panel by having its main bus design examined by your electrician. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. Watch out: do NOT try to open up your panel nor to remove circuit breakers yourself. Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel. - P.G. 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. The first Zinsco panels and breakers- labeled "Magnatrip"- (patent issued in 1950) had copper bus-bars and breaker clips. I'm looking for information on a Zinsco single-phase 400A, 240VAC panelboard with a DS-4564 designation. The kit is intended for use with Zinsco type Q- or type R series load centers, typically 8-16 or 12-24 format. 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. [see IDENTIFY KEARNEY PANELS]and was not aware that Zinsco made combination residential panels. I'd indeed like to see photos of the breaker panel you cite, in total, its labels, its bus bar design and its breaker details and labels. There will usually be a label with the Zinsco logo on the panel. I've been conducting professional home inspections since 2002. The word Magnetrip embossed in the steel electrical panel cover or on data tags in the Zinsco electrical panel. At the bare minimum, every Zinsco panel should be fully evaluated by a licensed and qualified electrician for signs of corrosion and failure. They were once a popular product to have installed in homes. Zinsco or GTE-Sylvania panels were popular electrical panels installed in homes throughout the 1970s. https://unicornsystems.eu/ Anyone with Zinsco circuit breakers needs to be aware of the risks associated with them and take appropriate steps to ensure their safety. No, Mary all of your photos were quite tiny, but nevertheless we reach the same conclusion: CONTACT US with field reports and photos. See details of the hazard at ZINSCO SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS as well as above on this page. An expert who opens the electrical 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. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. Here I'll post a closer-view excerpted from your photo. I was skeptical, figuring he was trying to upsell me. 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