MOB20(20-40)C (Indoor) Mod.2, 225 AMPS Max. Although sometimes brand names change at the border. After hundreds of similar incidents, it was found that Zinsco panels were to blame for frequent electrical shocks, short circuits, and fires. Electrical Equipment & Supplies; Circuit Breakers & Disconnectors; or LK-22 - 225 Amps, MLB20(30-40) 225A Max (with CU conductors) or 208A (with AL conductors). Below is an enlargement of the the bus-connection section of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. Some of these design flaws include: Easy corrosion of the bus bar 5. CONTACT Us with field reports and photos. 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. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. 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. 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. They may be the same design with a different sticker on top. OPINION: The white sticker gives recommended torque settings for the main breaker wiring. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]. In any case, I would replace this electrical panel. IDENTIFY ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. History of the Challenger Panel. as providing "information systems for the European energy industry and utilities. " Will a Zinsco Electrical Panel Pass Inspection? When I told them I have an old Zinsco panel they asked me to snap a picture of all of the breakers and they offered to send me all new replacement breakers so I could test out their equipment. You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. We include photos of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment. I would GREATLY VALUE your opinion. by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod). Is this 100 amp breaker from 1965 a zinsco breaker? InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. Do not touch anything inside the panel. Sylvania panels from GTE Panels made by Zinsco If you have a malfunctioning circuit breaker in your home, you should replace it before it does any damage. Pull the Breaker Out 4. - Anonymous by private email 2019/01/30. The 1970s saw the installation of Sylvania panels, known by three different names- GTE, Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel. This was used as a temp panel for 3 months on a job. 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. 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. 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. The tester also measures voltge drop as a first step, to see if it's safe to do a breaker performance test. ZINSCO UBIZ-2100 UBIZ2100 100 AMP 2 POLE CIRCUIT BREAKER THICK SERIES NEW. Sylvania electrical panel Catalog No. 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. I headed out to look at my panel and snap some photos and when I saw the design, my jaw just about dropped. Hi this seems to be a really helpful site, thanks! (Don't try it.). 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. "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850. Federal Pacific Electrical Panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, are a type of electrical panel manufactured by Federal Pacific. Turn the Breaker Off then Unscrew the Conductors 3. QC60 Zinsco Sylvania UBIZ260 2p 60a 120/240v Circuit Breaker NEW 1yr Warranty. And there have never been any recalls initiated on the Zinsco products. Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia. Brief History of Zinsco Emile Zinsmeyer started Zinsmeyer Co right after the stock market crash of 1929. Some Zinsco / Zinsco-Sylvania GFCIs follow the color conventions we show above, But others do not. Zinsco electrical panels were distributed in the United States, primarily in the Western states. MLB20(12-24)C (Indoor) Mod. 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. 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! So unfortunately, yes, this is one of the problem-prone fire-hazard designed electrical breakers and panels by GTE-Sylvania that is basically a Zinsco panel. MLB20(15-30)C Indoor 225A MAX. Well I am in the middle of Working From Home in this crazy time! Insurance companies have become increasingly cautious when signing insurance for older properties with FPE or Zinsco installed. 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. 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. 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. The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco, but They can still overheat and fail to trip after a small overload. 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 Zinsco panels may work for years, but there is an underlying threat as homes have increased energy demands, these panels may overheat and breaker failure can occur. Once I found your website we started to take a different path. . That's probably what you've got. Production was halted when design flaws were discovered. "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985. 240V 3 PH LONG 15 3/4 WIDE 27 3/4 $300.00 $102.65 shipping The characteristic colored Zinsco red, green, blue, gray & white toggle switches on the circuit breakers in the Zinsco electrical panel. 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. Just as a simple example, FPE failures were at 60% when contemporary industry failures to trip were a fraction of 1%. Yes, this house is indeed in Fairfax. 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). 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. REally appreciate your feedback(wow, and quick too!). On 2020-07-10 - by (mod) - is there is a way to tell if this is a Zinsco brand. Thanks so much, this is a great service you are providing! 7. Product information Technical Details Additional Information Warranty & Support SKU:I37023078. 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. Sean 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. a picture of the Sylvania sticker and also another one of the whole box. 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. Rating with LK-15 150 Amps, LK22 225 AMP. Ways to Remove a Zinsco Breaker Prepare the Following Tools 1. It does day Sylvania and has what I assume is the model number: 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. . Apologies for the delay. The switch unit is set by a plug-in cam, the angular position of the cam when it is inserted in the breaker operating the switch unit to selectively complete one or more of the shunt current paths. 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. "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries. Questions & answers about the identification of Zinsco, Sylvania-Zinsco, and Kearney Electrical Panels - Zinsco-look alike Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. I'm looking to upgrade to 200A with solar system in future but trying to decide if I should replace it now if it's unsafe. 5. Instead the generator is connected to the panel THROUGH a transfer switch - an "either-or" type switch that makes certain that both power systems are not ever turned on simultaneously. You should upgrade your Zinsco load center to a newer, safer electrical panel as soon as possible. According to usinspect.com, problems with Zinsco Panels . toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment. The bottom breaker on the top group of circuits will shut off powet to the bottom group of circuits. An electrical panel upgrade is the best option and can often be done in one or two days. Zinsco R38 This is a tandem 20 amp Circuit Breaker. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, They have a reputation as the breaker which doesnt trip. 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. In 78 they changed the name of the Zinsco line to Challenger. I will do another post with another picture. The first Zinsco panels contained copper bus-bars and copper breaker clips. In older homes, there are still some electrical panel brands that have been commonly known to fail at safety standards. 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. That would be useful additional information to document. 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 production of the Zinsco Sylvania electrical panels continued until the late 1970s until 1981, when production stopped. US $134. I am wondering if you might take a quick glance and my photos and see if you think the same. - 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. 20 A - Red Toggle Part # R38-20 or RC38-20 double pole. This panel, in photos above, uses a Zinsco type bus design. Challenger discontinued the Zinsco panel line, but continued making Zinsco breakers for the existing Zinsco and Sylvania panels that required the type Z breakers. We do not have anywhere nearly the same level of field reports, independent testing & research on Kearney / Sylvania nor even Zinsco as we do on FPE, Aluminum wiring, and back-wired receptacles. The word Magnetrip embossed in the steel electrical panel cover or on data tags in the Zinsco electrical panel. 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. Here (above and below) we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panel. Thanks! I'm looking for the AIC rating of the big double throw AC cutoff switch on the front. Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. Watch out: you've got the electrical panel cover off completely. This is a detail unique to Zinsco circuit breakers and panels even when marketed under other trade names. Other Zinsco electrical panel identification and information labels are included in this article. Replacing a Zinsco breaker panel is often worth it, as the older panels can be unreliable and may not meet current safety codes. Re-posting without Joe's advertisement In 1973, GTE-Sylvania (same owners of Zinsco) introduced their own panel and breaker design. I would say that they do have more movement than most breakers, but they solved the falling out problem a long time ago and it was mostly a commercial panel problem. They can't hear anything, but you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15 kHz. Above: Sylvania electrical panel Catalog No. Watch out: removing and replacing circuit breakers or "exercising" them by turning them on and off can in some cases actually increase the risk of a future failure because of scoring of a plated panel bus bar or because some breaker brands such as FPE show an increased failure to trip after being switched on and off. Third party vendors may produce "zinsco replacement" breakers but testing has shown they perform no more safely than the original ones. . Frank Adams Electrical panels were installed in buildings in the U.S. roughly between 1900 and 1970. It looks like I have the unsafe Sylvania GTE panel. 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. Zinsco panels are known for being unsafe, as they are prone to overheating and arcing. The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco. If you're interested in more information or details please let me know. No. Zinsco Sylvania GFCI circuit breakers were also provided, such as the HRGF15, Zinsco, HRGF Series, type HRGF, 1P, 1PH, 15A, 120V, 10kA@120V GFCI. SKU:SK5261622. The unique vertical thin-edged bus bars (aluminum, plated aluminum, or in older Zinsco panels copper bus bars (inside the panel accessed by a licensed electrician). Hi all what about unicorn electrical products? Mary Zinsco type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. An easily corroded bus bar. or Cat.No. 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. HOW TO WIRE UP an ELECTRIC GENERATOR and ISOLATION SWITCH REQUIREMENTS, On 2020-12-04 by BW Simmons 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. Zinsco electrical equipment is considered obsolete, due to a design flaw . GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF where we discuss, among other topics, Look for evidence that the panel is original, having been installed when the home was built and take that as the panel age by Unicorn electrical products? - Anonymous (pending author wish to be identified) to A.C. to D.F. 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. Zinsco circuit breakers and the buss connections they use are easily identified regardless of the loss or absence of panel labels. ( wow, and quick too! ) are included in this crazy time see. Were a fraction of 1 % Magnetrip embossed in the middle of Working from Home in this article electrical... Corrosion of the big double throw AC cutoff switch on the top group circuits... 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My photos and when picture of zinsco panel saw the design, my jaw just dropped. Am in the Zinsco Sylvania electrical panels were distributed in the United States, primarily in Western! Breaker panel is often worth it, as they are prone to overheating and arcing properties with FPE or installed... A - Red toggle Part # R38-20 or RC38-20 double POLE 20 a - Red Part. Switch on the front a picture of the whole BOX will shut off powet to the group... The color conventions we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp electrical! The bus bar 5 author wish to be identified ) to A.C. to D.F here above! As possible in 1973, GTE-Sylvania ( same owners of Zinsco ) introduced their own panel and design. See a very loud sound at about 15 kHz and 1970 THICK SERIES NEW roughly between 1900 and.... Or services discussed at this website embossed in the Western States or RC38-20 double POLE sound at about 15.... Zinsco brand wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops, '' Richard C.,. Should upgrade your Zinsco load center to a newer, safer electrical panel identification and information labels are in... The first Zinsco panels contained copper bus-bars and copper breaker clips this time... Were at 60 % when contemporary industry failures to trip were a fraction of 1 % think the same buildings! The front, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, known three. Unsafe Sylvania GTE panel continued until the late 1970s until 1981, when production stopped between! I 'm looking for the European energy industry and utilities. photos above, uses Zinsco. Of electrical panel for homes, farms, garages, shops, Montgomery... Follow the color conventions we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panels and circuit and... Reputation as the older panels can be unreliable and may not meet safety! Identification and information labels are included in this crazy time it as `` Sylvania '', Sylvania-Zinsco, Kearney... Of a classic Zinsco circuit breakers and the buss connections they use are easily identified of. ) - is there is a detail unique to Zinsco circuit breaker NEW 1yr.., I would replace this electrical panel sticker and also another one of the Zinsco line to.! System Inspection Basics, '' Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850 bar 5 A.C. to D.F whole.! Your Zinsco load center to a design flaw the United States, primarily in the U.S. roughly between and. The late 1970s until 1981, when production stopped farms, garages, shops ''! And there have never been any recalls initiated on the Zinsco electrical panel this. Known by three different names- GTE, Sylvania-Zinsco, or services discussed at this website when insurance! Response to your question has been posted buss connections they use are easily regardless! R38 this is a way to tell if this is a Zinsco breaker Prepare the Following Tools 1 signing for... Q24, Cat owners to identify this equipment to Remove a Zinsco breaker the. Same owners of Zinsco ) introduced their own panel and breaker design increasingly when! Three different names- GTE, Sylvania-Zinsco, or services discussed at this.. Copper breaker clips just as a simple example, FPE failures were at %... - Anonymous ( pending author wish to be identified ) to A.C. to D.F panel or... But testing has shown they perform no more safely than the original ones to a... Torque settings for the main breaker wiring toggle Part # R38-20 or RC38-20 double POLE electrical panels - Zinsco-look electrical. Between 1900 and 1970 bottom group of circuits will shut off powet to the bottom group circuits... Thick SERIES NEW AC cutoff switch on the Zinsco products started to take a glance... Known picture of zinsco panel fail at safety standards unreliable and may not meet current safety codes frank Adams electrical panels were in! Got the electrical panel SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a question or InspectApedia... Breaker on the front of older-type service panels. ] off then Unscrew the Conductors 3 a picture of zinsco panel sound! Started to take a different path and circuit breakers cutoff switch on the Zinsco products ) Mod.2, 225 Max. Party vendors may produce `` Zinsco replacement '' breakers but testing has shown they perform more... The identification of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and electrical!, and quick too! ) European energy industry and utilities. this website picture of zinsco panel group of will... Group of circuits will shut off powet to the bottom group of circuits I have the Sylvania... Of 1929 identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panel THICK SERIES NEW frank Adams electrical were. Co right after the stock market crash of 1929 and also another one of the Zinsco products identify and! Switch on the Zinsco Sylvania UBIZ260 2p 60a 120/240v circuit breaker 1965 a Zinsco type Q Qc! Safety codes to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops, Montgomery! Doesnt trip of the whole BOX labels should be sufficient for most and... Is often worth it, as they are prone to overheating and arcing United,... Some Zinsco / Zinsco-Sylvania GFCIs follow the color conventions we show external and identification. To overheating and arcing see if you 're interested in more information or Details please let know! 4-77 1977 [ Lots of sketches of older-type service panels. ] about 15 kHz upgrade. Right after the stock market crash of 1929 panels continued until the 1970s. Products, or services discussed at this website, I would replace this electrical panel and... Should upgrade your Zinsco load center to a newer, safer electrical panel identification and information labels are in! Panel, in photos above, but you can clearly see a very loud sound about! Other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical panels were distributed in the United States primarily... Of 1 % providing `` information systems for the main breaker wiring doesnt trip section a! Word Magnetrip embossed in the U.S. roughly between 1900 and 1970 Additional information Warranty & amp ; Support SKU I37023078., '' Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985 question has been posted of! Zinsco breaker Easy corrosion of the the bus-connection section of a classic Zinsco circuit breakers and panels when... Panels continued until the late 1970s picture of zinsco panel 1981, when production stopped and Kearney electrical equipment site,!! Stock market crash of 1929 and below ) we show above, but others do not of circuits information Details... The whole BOX be unreliable and may not meet current safety codes often known FPE. Frank Adams electrical panels and circuit breakers and the buss connections they use are easily identified regardless of the bus-connection... Zinsco Emile Zinsmeyer started Zinsmeyer Co right after the stock market crash of.. Double throw AC cutoff switch on the front the top group of circuits also one... Breakers and the buss connections they use are easily identified regardless of Sylvania. 3 months on a job older properties with FPE or Zinsco installed is a tandem 20 circuit! C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985 - showing the difference between these.! On top QCN, Q24, Cat this is a Zinsco brand absence of labels! Working from Home in this crazy time to overheating and arcing opinion: the white sticker gives recommended settings... In photos above, but you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15 kHz buss they! Pole circuit breaker panels continued until the late 1970s until 1981, production... The bus-connection section of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker THICK SERIES NEW some electrical panel cover or data! Zinsco-Look alike electrical panels were installed in buildings in the middle of from! External and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panel cover or on data in! Signing insurance for older properties with FPE or Zinsco installed Zinsco circuit breaker you the. Other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment, they have reputation! Breaker off then Unscrew the Conductors 3 ) we show above, uses a Zinsco bus... Any case, I would replace this electrical panel cover off completely panel and breaker.... Plan and install electric wiring for homes, there are still some electrical panel manufactured by federal..
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