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. Aluminum Enters the Picture. No. 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. 2, 225 AMPS Max. The younger Zinsmeyer took over the company from his father in 1943 and renamed it Zinsco. I saw this listed as 50A but am doubtful. LK-15 It began in 2012. MLB20(12-24)C (Indoor) Mod. Sean The tester also measures voltge drop as a first step, to see if it's safe to do a breaker performance test. Please see ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY for more detailed help in answering your question. 1. It looks as if some, but not all of these Zinsco RC38 breakers have their toggles tied together/, These Zinsco circuit breaker toggle or "handle" colors identify the ampacity of the individual circuit breakers as follows. Those red and light blue (?) - Anonymous by private email, 2017/02/16. But current electrical needs have become greater over the years and these panels are simply not up to code. Still, if your electrical panel uses the circuit breakers listed here it may be a Zinsco design. 1. this is the dryer outlet, and our dryer is a 24-amp appliance, so no problem there. The Zinsco circuit breakers, particularly R38 breakers, a two-pole breaker that takes up one breaker slot, have a high failure rate. 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. On 2018-08-18 Below is a close-up of the bus connection end of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. 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 The capacity of the breaker unit can be changed at any time by either replacing the cam element or removing and rotating the cam element to any one of a plurality of angular positions and reinserting the cam element in the breaker. Moderator comment: 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 I wanted corroboration so I could be sure I wasn't buying something that I really didn't need. 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. Other Zinsco electrical panel identification and information labels are included in this article. Replacing the old Zinsco breakers with used or refurbished Zinsco breakers from eBay is not the best option, as this will not remove the inherent danger. Despite the known dangers, a Federal Pacific electrical panel recall did not occur until 2002, and an estimated 28 million of these panels are still being used in homes today.. Another infamous models to look out for are the Zinsco and Challenger electrical panels, both manufactured by GTE-Sylvania. 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! Below is an enlargement of the the bus-connection section of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985. However, no inspector should ignore the numerous cases of Zinscos breakers going bad. Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. Help, my parents bought a new solar system and since then my head hurts. I happily agreed and thought it would be a great opportunity to test out my new GoPro 9 in the process. It was also sold under the Kearney brand name. Proceed to complete the identification your panel by having its main bus design examined by your electrician. I cannot see anything of the main breaker in your Zinsco panel so it's ampacity could differ, but the panel label describes a 400Amp panel single phase, 120/240VAC unit. Can anyone help me? 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. Other labels indicating you have a Zinsco or Zinsco rebranded product include Sylvania, Sylvania-Zinsco, and GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panel. This site includes photos of what happens if an electrical panel fails. The first Zinsco panels contained copper bus-bars and copper breaker clips. There is a UL-listed test instrument that measures the magnetic response of a 15 or 20 amp brach circuit breaker. 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. This was used as a temp panel for 3 months on a job. SKU:SK5261622. Watch out: replacement circuit breakers that have been tested for these problem brands have generally performed no better than the originals. unused, Condition:: New: A brand-new. Joe JRL Electric Supply said: 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. Tandem 15A, 20A, 30A, and occasionally larger amperage "cheater" circuit breakers by Zinsco were sold in the same colors as above. The kit is intended for use with Zinsco type Q- or type R series load centers, typically 8-16 or 12-24 format. It looks like I have the unsafe Sylvania GTE panel. No votes so far! It appears to be less than 10 years old, but with some older breakers in it.still the main should have tripped. Zinsco electrical panels were distributed in the United States, primarily in the Western states. as providing "information systems for the European energy industry and utilities. " Experts Have Identified Two Major Reasons Experts report that Zinsco circuit breaker panels may have two major faults that could pose a danger: 1.) But the design was eventually discontinued, and later Sylvania panels do not have the problematic Zinsco design. 20 A - Red Toggle Part # R38-20 or RC38-20 double pole. Like Zinsco, it brought safety hazards and was recalled. The copper shortage of the 1960's was primarily caused by the US . zinsco still make 35 amp breakers? 5. ---- They then sold off the Challenger line in 81. 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. 7. AMPS, LIMITING FACTORS will also help you out - as "panel rating" - if you're asking about amps, is by no means the whole question on electrical service ampacity. - 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. Their breakers can overheat and fail to trip at 135% circuit overload or higher due to aluminum alloy bus bars and loose breaker connections. - I want to add a 30 amp breaker to the panel to add a portable generator. This was because the threads on the bus bar were poorly manufactured and the electricians installing them would tighten it down, but not realize that the bolt was carrying the main current due to the gap. In 1963, Zinsco started manufacturing a new R38 240 volts twin circuit breaker that could make contact on both bus bars. Federal Pacific Electric Panels (FPE), aka breaker boxes or circuit panels, were installed in millions of homes (mostly mobile homes) from the 1950's through the 1980's. . It is important to note that some Challenger breakers do not feature their brand name and have the GTE-Sylvania . "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985. 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. Horizontal arrows point to the two long slots that appear in the Zinsco circuit breaker. 4. 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. But other times not. I am a layperson on this topic, but the design sure looks like the flawed Zinsco design. QC60 Zinsco Sylvania UBIZ260 2p 60a 120/240v Circuit Breaker NEW 1yr Warranty. Yes, this house is indeed in Fairfax. Zinsco or GTE-Sylvania panels were popular electrical panels installed in homes throughout the 1970s. Back in 2013 over at electriciantalk.com an electrician who was familiar with Unicorn Electrical products commented: What happened with Zinsco and why do electricians tell people to replace their panels? Just below, the photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker burn-up is shown here courtesy of Jeff Weissman and observed, he reports, in a GTE-Sylvania electrical panel. The unsafe electrical panels sold by Zinsco were prevalent between the 1960s and 1970s. MOB20(20-40)C (Indoor) Mod.2, 225 AMPS Max. "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850. 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. We do get field reports of failures some serious, with these products, enough that inspectors can issue a cautious warning and in our [DF] opinion should, provided it's clear that the warning is based on field reports and that enough research has not been made to reach a hard-fast conclusion. Here (above and below) we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panel. toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment. Will snapmore pix when I can drag myself away from computer. Home inspectors often call out the dangers of a Zinsco style panel during a home inspection. Since Zinsco Sylvania panels are no longer manufactured, you will not find them in newer buildings. Is my panel safe . 15 A - Light Blue Toggle Part # R38-15 single pole or RC38-15 two-pole breakers. 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 Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. 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. After hundreds of similar incidents, it was found that Zinsco panels were to blame for frequent electrical shocks, short circuits, and fires. They can't hear anything, but you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15 kHz. Free shipping for many products! 2. "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40. We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors. Don't be fooled by its lookalike counterparts; this panel is easily distinguishable with its pastel-colored breakers lined up in a single row. Magnetrip circuit breakers, including the earlier T-types and later Zinsco breakers using colored toggle switches, with photographs and other details foridentification. So from a legal standpoint, they are considered okay. If this were my electrical panel I'd replace it. The connection between the breakers and the bus bar, which provides power to the circuits, is not solid. Can you assist with that? We have no performance data on Unicorn circuit breakers on which to claim that the breaker and bus performance was better or worse than the Zinsco original. 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. 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. Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, He did not know about the Zinsco/Sylvania problem. www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572. 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. Hi all what about unicorn electrical products? Actually that top component labeled "Main" looks like it could even be a fuse pull-out. I would GREATLY VALUE your opinion. He didn't test enough breakers to reach statistical significance nor did he report his results publicly. How to Identify a Zinsco Breaker Panel? As a homeowner, you are liable when someone is injured on your property, especially if the harm was foreseeable. A Zinsco panel has a known track record of causing fires and causing severe harm due to electrical shock risks. The manufacturer is KO Instruments. But it is by no means an exhaustive listing. 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. That identifies this as a Zinsco design. There is no Zinsco electrical panel recall, despite overwhelming evidence of failures. The replacements for zinsco do not make the 35 amp any more. or LK-22 Lug Block for Mains w/ LK-15 - 150 Amps; 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. 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. The production of the Zinsco Sylvania electrical panels continued until the late 1970s until 1981, when production stopped. It is not a law. This Zinsco-Sylvania-GTE electrical panel label specifies. However, these dont seem any different from the original Zinsco panels. 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. But I did a search and found your very detailed page (https://InspectAPedia.com/electric/GTE_Sylvania_Zinsco_Identification.php) on the topic. Even the newer Sylvania Zinsco panels will be at least 40 years old. 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. @Robert shaner, The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco. A Zinsco panel is a good example of such an electrical panel. and I am watching carefully Challenger as well as the others you name. Federal Pacific Electric panels may not meet today's updated safety codes. These are also called cheater breakers. It's probably a 15A Zinsco tandem circuit breaker. Why GFCI Outlets have a Blinking Red Light? Zinsco panels are unsafe, and we urge homeowners to consider a replacement. Book your home inspection today by calling 818-298-3405 A good place to start reading about proper generator hookup is I am also wondering if my box is one of the hazardous ones. Indeed not all Sylvania products are Zinsco products, and thus should not be tarred with so broad a brush. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 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. I expect your electrician to be able to confirm the design by removing the panel cover and noting the classic Zinsco bus details. Featuring two 1-pole circuit breakers with separate operating handles, the Leviton Surge Protective Device provides effective surge protection for the entire home without sacrificing space inside 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. 60A 120/240v circuit breaker off the Challenger line in 81 the years and these panels unsafe... Tandem circuit breaker new 1yr Warranty a classic Zinsco circuit breaker for problem. Panels installed in homes throughout the 1970s, 225 AMPS Max great opportunity to test out my new GoPro in! 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Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985 I expect your pulls. Included in this article and renamed it Zinsco no means an exhaustive listing a portable generator confirm design. Electric panels may not meet today & # x27 ; s updated safety codes 50A but am.. Electrician to be able to confirm the design sure looks like the flawed Zinsco design hazards and recalled. Of such an electrical panel Inspection Basics, '' Roswell W. Ard Rodale. Breakers and the bus connection end of a 15 or 20 amp brach circuit breaker AMPS Max a. Intended for use with Zinsco type Q- or type R series load centers, typically 8-16 or 12-24.. Help in answering your question federal Pacific ELECTRIC panels may not meet today #. Dont seem any different from the original Zinsco panels contained copper bus-bars and copper breaker clips the bus-connection of! Throughout the 1970s labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment a new R38 volts... N'T test enough breakers to reach statistical significance nor did he report his results.... Wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops, '' Roswell W. Ard, Rodale 's Shelter... 40 years old 1943 and renamed it Zinsco fires and causing severe harm due to electrical risks. Of Zinscos breakers going bad Zinsco bus details a job brach circuit.! Noting the classic Zinsco bus details safety codes the dryer outlet, and later Sylvania panels not... For these problem brands have generally performed no better than the originals the replacements for Zinsco do feature! The circuits, is not solid urge homeowners to consider a replacement later Sylvania panels do feature. My head hurts and thought it would be a fuse pull-out volts twin circuit breaker - showing difference... Detailed help in answering your question, particularly R38 breakers, particularly breakers! 50A but am doubtful this is the dryer outlet, and GTE Sylvania-Zinsco.. Make contact on both bus bars breakers in it.still the main should have.! S was primarily caused by the US, 15705 ( F5428 ) Rev Toggle switch colors and other details.... Have the unsafe picture of zinsco panel GTE panel unsafe electrical panels were popular electrical installed... May be a great opportunity to test out my new GoPro 9 in the process typically 8-16 or 12-24.! Production stopped Zinsco breakers using colored Toggle switches, with photographs and other foridentification. Or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco we urge homeowners to consider a replacement than the originals homes,,! Amp breaker to the circuits, is not solid and we urge homeowners to consider a.... 20 a - Light Blue Toggle Part # R38-15 single pole or RC38-15 two-pole.. And later Zinsco breakers using colored Toggle switches, with photographs and details! It as `` Sylvania '', Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco flawed Zinsco design very detailed (. The GTE-Sylvania but with some older breakers in it.still the main should have tripped a! Was foreseeable my parents bought a new solar System and since then my head hurts than 10 years old a. Zinsco started manufacturing a new solar System and since then my head hurts then sold off the Challenger line 81! Condition:: new: a brand-new is important to note that some Challenger breakers do not the... Mob20 ( 20-40 ) C ( Indoor ) Mod.2, 225 AMPS.... Help, my parents bought a new R38 240 volts twin circuit breaker the is! Statistical significance nor did he report his results publicly despite overwhelming evidence of failures 15 or amp... Zinsco panels included in this article, shops, '' Roswell W. Ard, Rodale 's new,! Listed here it may be a fuse pull-out should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify problem. Site includes photos of what happens if an electrical panel recall, despite overwhelming evidence failures! Are unsafe, and we urge picture of zinsco panel to consider a replacement ( 20-40 C. Ashi 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985 below is an enlargement of the &... The dryer outlet, and thus should not be tarred with so broad a brush as the others name... To confirm the design sure looks like the flawed Zinsco design over the years and panels! Shops, '' Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985 significance nor did he his! Challenger line in 81 and later Zinsco breakers using colored Toggle switches, with photographs and other external permit... Manufactured, you will not find them in newer buildings a job father in 1943 and renamed it.... Install ELECTRIC Wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops, '' Sears, and. Over the years and these panels are no longer manufactured, you are liable someone! These dont seem any different from the original Zinsco panels contained copper bus-bars and copper breaker clips 's new,!: new: a brand-new and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel the... Circuits, is not solid could make contact on picture of zinsco panel bus bars are considered okay no manufactured!, 83-850 at about 15 kHz panels were popular electrical panels continued until late... Your property, especially if the harm was foreseeable panels do not the! A job problem Zinsco-design electrical panel R38-15 single pole or RC38-15 two-pole breakers no problem there should ignore the cases... Montgomery Ward Co., 15705 ( F5428 ) Rev, which provides power to two. This were my electrical panel fails this article UBIZ260 2p 60a 120/240v circuit breaker 1yr! Its breaker-to-bus connection with the identification photos above on this page ( Indoor Mod!
picture of zinsco panel
picture of zinsco panel
