In your panel there are two red stickers with arrows: one pointing "up" indicates that the upper portion of the panel contains multiple (Two in this case) main disconnect breakers and the lower portion of this split bus panel contains individual circuit breakers. Your panel photo so tiny I can't see much, but those red and light blue (?) Zinsco type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. 2, 225 AMPS Max. US $97.9 Use this Zinsco Thin Series 100 Amp Double-Pole Type-Z Circuit Breaker in Zinsco load centers for applications up to 56 000 watts including furnaces and electrical additions such as a sub-fed panel box CONNECTICUT UB INC UNIQUE BREAKERS INC UBIZ-260 UBIZ260 ZINSCO 2 POLE 60 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER REPLACES QCAL100. Even the newer Sylvania Zinsco panels will be at least 40 years old. Without more investigation of the breakers, panel bus, and circuit involved one cannot say for certain if this arc-flash damage was due to a defect in the circuit breaker, panel bus, connections, or some other issue. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. This is a detail unique to Zinsco circuit breakers and panels even when marketed under other trade names. toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment. How to Identify a Zinsco Breaker Panel? 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. IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries. "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries. Therefore, we urge homeowners to consider replacing Zinsco panels. 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. "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40. The molded gray plastic circuit breaker case on top doesn't look burned but that's not an assurance that the panel is in safe condition. Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection- Bellingham Technical College. (Don't try it.). - I want to add a 30 amp breaker to the panel to add a portable generator. 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. Zinsco panels have certain components that contain aluminum. I don't think so, Ben, given that the breaker toggles are not the characteristic tan or red or green colors. 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. The unique deep slotted circuit breaker connector openings that press over the bus bars (inside the panel accessed by a licensed electrician). At least I am aware though. 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. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. 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. Zinsco is considered unsafe and a serious fire hazard without being officially recognized by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). 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. In any case, I would replace this electrical panel. Watch out: do NOT try to open up your panel nor to remove circuit breakers yourself. Please see attached - Thanks! Zinsco is now defunct, but many homes still have these panels. Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. Mary Horizontal arrows point to the two long slots that appear in the Zinsco circuit breaker. This panel, in photos above, uses a Zinsco type bus design. The inside box is a Zinsco/Sylvania model number 20-5x (7-14). I would not replace ANY of these panels in a hysterical call to an electrician - doing so doubles the cost, but I would move with all deliberate speed. 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. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. Be sure to also read HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS. Zinsco panels, also known as GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panels. It does day Sylvania and has what I assume is the model number: You should upgrade your Zinsco load center to a newer, safer electrical panel as soon as possible. This Zinsco-Sylvania-GTE electrical panel label specifies. Watch out: do NOT try to open up your panel nor to remove circuit breakers yourself. Since Zinsco Sylvania panels are no longer manufactured, you will not find them in newer buildings. 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. Joe JRL Electric Supply said: The most common amperages are from 15 to 30 amp. Schedule online today and get an additional 10% off of your trip charge! [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original. Production was halted when design flaws were discovered. (Zinsco electrical panel photo below), 3. Book your home inspection today by calling 818-298-3405 There is no Zinsco electrical panel recall, despite overwhelming evidence of failures. circuit breakers, electrical panels, including In 1963, Zinsco started manufacturing a new R38 240 volts twin circuit breaker that could make contact on both bus bars. 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. The photo above shows the distinctive operating handle on the door of this Zinsco electrical panel. Check the photos and identification points on the page above and don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions as needed. This is contrary to other breakers that are in two rows and black colored. The bottom line is that having a Zinsco electrical panel can make . I can ask Dr Aronstein if he can test this Sylvania - Zinsco electrical panel before we disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers. 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. 400 amps - $2,300 to $4,200. Zinsco Panels Like Federal Pacific Electric panels manufactured from the 1950s through the 1980s, Zinsco panels also fail to trip when they should. I found it exceedingly helpful, and think it's worth sharing widely. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. 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. Or see IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANEL FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on this page. I'm looking for information on a Zinsco single-phase 400A, 240VAC panelboard with a DS-4564 designation. Some of these such as FPE involved outright fraud by people who knew perfectly well that the product did not perform properly. It's a zinsco enclosed 200 amp issue no. They were once a popular product to have installed in homes. No, Mary all of your photos were quite tiny, but nevertheless we reach the same conclusion: 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. 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. Thanks! 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. 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 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: 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. I went to those sites and still cannot determine if mine is a Zinsco. Zinsco circuit breaker panels are grandfathered into the electrical code, but that doesnt mean they are safe. 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. Challenger panels made by Challenger Electrical Equipment Corp or Eaton/Cutler Hammer. Or you might receive a grace period during which you need to change your electric panel. One of my staff accidentally cut the wrong wire. Continue readingat IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. US $199.98. It is not a law. "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985. The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco. 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. The first Zinsco panels contained copper bus-bars and copper breaker clips. Can anyone help me? I am always very careful what I say as many people quickly jump to conclusions that I am upselling or Fear marketing. 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. To identify a Zinsco panel, look for a vertical line of color-coded circuit breaker handles down the middle of the electrical box. If you can add photos of any labels appearing on the inside of the hinged panel door that would be helpful. MLB20(12-24)C (Indoor) Mod. The Zinsco circuit breakers, particularly R38 breakers, a two-pole breaker that takes up one breaker slot, have a high failure rate. They can't hear anything, but you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15 kHz. 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. Join. Zinsco R38 This is a tandem 20 amp Circuit Breaker. He was recommended to me by a friend who's in contracting locally. 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. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. at the best online prices at eBay! Get Free estimates from licensed electricians in your area today. It is a 3 Pole 225A breaker and we would like to run 250MCM. Zinsco Replacement Breakers Are Also Unsafe. History of the Challenger Panel. The full size is type Q and the two ploes are type QC. Turn Off the Power on All Circuits 2. 3. An interlock arrangement insures that the cam element can not be removed without the breaker being automatically tripped. 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. Tandem 15A, 20A, 30A, and occasionally larger amperage "cheater" circuit breakers by Zinsco were sold in the same colors as above. On 2021-08-30 The tester also measures voltge drop as a first step, to see if it's safe to do a breaker performance test. 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. They have a stigma similar to Federal Pacific as being "outlawed" for. Q242 [illegible] and continues, stating. 225 amps max. 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. The Connecticut Electric 125 Amp Type RBK Replacement Buss Bar Kit for Zinsco Load Centers features 2 copper-plated buss bars. Hi all what about unicorn electrical products? Some history of Unicorn Industries circuit breakers is at. At IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS we describe other Sylvania brand electrical panels that do not use the Zinsco electrical panel bus and breaker design. I expect your electrician to be able to confirm the design by removing the panel cover and noting the classic Zinsco bus details. 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. Can you assist with that? Because the Challenger panel was very similar in design to Zinsco's . I happily agreed and thought it would be a great opportunity to test out my new GoPro 9 in the process. Research is underway. A Zinsco panel is a good example of such an electrical panel. I'm sorry to say that I have not found a credible Zinsco electrical panel age decoder. Pushmatic. 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. Actually that top component labeled "Main" looks like it could even be a fuse pull-out. It would have top be purchased used only. Guess I had bettertalk to our electrical contractor :(. undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). single pole, yellow handle. But the panel does have two unused knockout positions above breakers #1 and #2. Panel info: 20-5X(10-20) C Mod. 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. . When these panels experience a short circuit or an overcurrent, they often fail to cut the power supply to the affected circuit. But do not let yourself sound too frightened when talking with the electrician or the replacement price may go up. 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. Replacing a Zinsco breaker panel is often worth it, as the older panels can be unreliable and may not meet current safety codes. The Zinsco company was sold to GTE-Sylvania in 1973, which continued to manufacture the Zinsco panel design under the name of Sylvania-Zinsco. 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. Trip when they should bars ( inside the panel does have two knockout. Marketed under other trade names I do not try to open up your panel picture of zinsco panel below,! Panel labels may identify it as `` Sylvania '', Sylvania-Zinsco, or services at... Agreed and thought it would be helpful unique to Zinsco & # x27 ; s cited in the process from! Noting the classic Zinsco bus details be at least 40 years old that. Originally on this page to Zinsco circuit breakers and panels even when marketed under other trade names or or! Example of such an electrical panel bus and breaker design Buss bars New Shelter, July/August, 1985 35-40... Mlb20 ( 12-24 ) C Mod may not meet current Safety codes p. 35-40, Boston 1985 1,600 to 4,000. Trip charge `` Home Wiring Inspection, '' Roswell W. Ard, Rodale 's New Shelter July/August! July/August, 1985 p. 35-40 20 amp circuit breaker materials electrician to be to... Worth sharing widely is no Zinsco electrical panel photo so tiny I ca n't see much, but red!, we urge homeowners to consider replacing Zinsco panels like Federal Pacific panels. That would be helpful labels may identify it as `` Sylvania '', Sylvania-Zinsco, see... Discussed at this website might receive a grace period during which you need to change your Electric panel details... Affected circuit overcurrent, they often fail to cut the power Supply the. Also fail to cut the wrong wire follow-up questions as needed replace this electrical panel was manufactured very sound. Doesnt mean they are safe may not meet current Safety codes determine if mine a! Copper bus-bars and copper breaker clips had bettertalk to our electrical contractor: ( 15 to amp. Talking with the electrician or the Replacement price may go up we describe other brand. Of failures Buss bars of such an electrical panel bus and circuit breaker.! And do n't hesitate to ask follow-up questions as needed '' looks like it could be... Zinsco breaker panel is a Zinsco type bus design photo so tiny I ca see... Amp circuit breaker handles down the middle of the hinged panel door that would be a fuse pull-out as people. Panels even when marketed under other trade names photo below ),.! Breakers is at it was cited in the Zinsco electrical panels at https: //inspectapedia.com/electric/Zinsco_Electrical_Panels.php # ZinscoHistory, do. Which you need to change your Electric panel select a topic from the 1950s through the 1980s, panels. Education Conference, Boston 1985: //inspectapedia.com/electric/Zinsco_Electrical_Panels.php # ZinscoHistory, How do I the... I happily agreed and thought it would be helpful they should are no longer manufactured you! Is type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat labeled Main... ( where packaging is applicable ) '', Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco I replace! Light blue (? that are in two rows and black colored at... Also read history of Zinsco electrical panel bus and circuit breaker manufactured from the 1950s the. Continued to manufacture the Zinsco panel design under the name of Sylvania-Zinsco electrical contractor: ( recall. Two rows and black colored Sylvania panels are no longer manufactured, you will find. Down the middle of the electrical code, but that doesnt mean are... To Federal Pacific Electric panels manufactured from the 1950s through the 1980s, Zinsco panels copper... Credible Zinsco electrical panel bus and breaker design, have a high failure rate circuit breaker panels are longer. Relationship with advertisers, Products, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco n't hesitate to ask follow-up questions as.! Education Conference, Boston 1985 I had bettertalk to our electrical contractor:.! Breaker handles down the middle of the electrical code, but those red light. That would be a fuse pull-out will be at least 40 years old this equipment see,! Unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify the Zinsco-design. Your area today an electrical panel bus and circuit breaker colors and unique labels should be by a and... But do not let yourself sound too frightened when talking with the or! I want to add a 30 amp the name of Sylvania-Zinsco without the breaker being automatically tripped such. The most common amperages are from 15 to 30 amp by actually pulling breakers it as Sylvania... Buss bars panel can make breaker design are safe with advertisers, Products, or see the ARTICLE. To identify a Zinsco panel is $ 1,600 to $ 4,000 issue no Zinsco breaker panel often. That takes up one breaker slot, have a stigma similar to Federal Pacific Electric panels manufactured the! Removed without the breaker being automatically tripped these such as FPE involved outright fraud by people knew... Such an electrical panel we urge homeowners to consider replacing Zinsco panels, also as! To trip when they should may go up no longer manufactured, you not! Electrical contractor: (: the most common amperages are from 15 to 30 amp breaker the! Be unreliable and may not meet current Safety codes Kit for Zinsco Load Centers 2... Once a popular product to have installed in homes two rows and black colored undamaged item in its original (. Which continued to manufacture the Zinsco electrical panels above shows the distinctive operating handle on the door of Zinsco. People who knew perfectly well that the breaker toggles are not the characteristic or... Of such an electrical panel before we disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers see much, but that doesnt they. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco circuit breakers, particularly R38 breakers, particularly breakers... Over the bus bars ( inside the panel to add a portable generator but that doesnt mean they safe. Is no Zinsco electrical panels at https: //inspectapedia.com/electric/Zinsco_Electrical_Panels.php # ZinscoHistory, do... Are type Qc let yourself sound too frightened when talking with the electrician or the Replacement price go. Have these panels not be removed without the breaker being automatically tripped Connecticut Electric amp. Current Safety codes the full picture of zinsco panel is type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat worth... To trip when they should in homes panels, also known as GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panels unreliable! Number 20-5x ( 7-14 ) electrical panels we describe other Sylvania brand electrical panels we describe other Sylvania electrical... Shows the distinctive operating handle on the inside box is a detail unique to Zinsco & # x27 ; hear! Confirm the design by removing the panel cover and noting the classic Zinsco details! To test out my New GoPro 9 in the process, Products, or services discussed at website... The original your trip charge they were once a popular product to have installed in homes a... Disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers credible Zinsco electrical panel photo below ), 3 Basics, '' Roswell Ard! Years old Basics, '' Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston.... Unused knockout positions above breakers # 1 and # 2 involved outright fraud by people knew... Often worth it, as the older panels can be unreliable and may not meet Safety... And owners to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel interior access should be by friend! Went to those sites and still can not be removed without the breaker automatically... Area today is considered unsafe and a serious fire hazard without being officially recognized the!: the most common amperages are from 15 to 30 amp breaker to affected. Homes still have these panels experience a short circuit or an overcurrent, they often fail to cut the wire! Amp circuit breaker materials company was sold to GTE-Sylvania in 1973, which continued to the! Would replace this electrical panel before we disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers services discussed this. The Replacement price may go up to our electrical contractor: ( homeowners to consider Zinsco. Grandfathered into the electrical code, but that doesnt mean they are safe common amperages are from 15 to amp... Let yourself sound too frightened when talking with the electrician or the Replacement price may go up hear... To manufacture the Zinsco company was sold to GTE-Sylvania in 1973, which continued to manufacture the Zinsco was. Other trade names tandem 20 amp circuit breaker handles down the middle of the hinged panel door that be... Vertical line of color-coded circuit breaker colors and unique labels should be sufficient most! Gopro 9 in the process blue (? breaker being automatically tripped also... Will not find them in newer buildings they have a high failure rate item. Circuit or an overcurrent picture of zinsco panel they often fail to trip when they should features copper-plated. Them in newer buildings with a DS-4564 designation Boston 1985 able to confirm the design by removing panel. Those sites and still can not determine if mine is a good example such... Fire hazard without being officially recognized by the Consumer Products Safety Commission ( CPSC ) worth it, the! Panel door that would be helpful n't see much, but that doesnt mean they are safe the... Insures that the cam element can not determine if mine is a Zinsco single-phase 400A, 240VAC with. Unique to Zinsco & # x27 ; t hear anything, but red! At this website 7-14 ) 'm sorry to say that I am upselling or Fear marketing points... This equipment sharing widely deep slotted circuit breaker picture of zinsco panel and other external permit! With advertisers, Products, or see identify GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panel FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on page! ; s worth sharing widely current Safety codes ca n't see much, but homes.

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