picture of zinsco panel
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. 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. Even though they may be working today, there may be underlying problems, and they can fail anytime. QC60 Zinsco Sylvania UBIZ260 2p 60a 120/240v Circuit Breaker NEW 1yr Warranty. This was used as a temp panel for 3 months on a job. Square D panel with following breakers 100A main breaker, 100A breaker, 50A 2 pole, 3 - 20 A single pole, 2- GFCI outlets attached to side. Experts Have Identified Two Major Reasons Experts report that Zinsco circuit breaker panels may have two major faults that could pose a danger: 1.) Below is an enlargement of the the bus-connection section of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. 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. 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. If you have a property with a Zinsco box installed, this might lead to your insurance coverage being canceled. US $19.5 Free shipping for many products Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1 Zinsco Rc38-15 RC3815 15 Amp 2 Pole Tandem Twin Circuit Breaker 120/240 VAC at the best online prices at . Sometimes that's true. Pull the Breaker Out 4. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. Below we show the interior of this 400Amp Zinsco electrical panel. The bottom breaker on the top group of circuits will shut off powet to the bottom group of circuits. Product information Technical Details Additional Information Warranty & Support - Anonymous by private email 2019/01/30. Still, if your electrical panel uses the circuit breakers listed here it may be a Zinsco design. - P.G. . Can anyone help me? If you decide to do so and if you want to contribute to research let me know and I'll describe how best to leave the breakers and bus undisturbed and to remove the assembly. Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. The 1970s saw the installation of Sylvania panels, known by three different names- GTE, Sylvania-Zinsco 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! To know with confidence what the breakers are in the panel an electrician will remove the cover, pull a breaker and compare it with the breaker designs illustrated as characteristic of Zinsco. 20 March 2015. Never insert any tool nor your fingers into the interior of an electrical panel. When these panels experience a short circuit or an overcurrent, they often fail to cut the power supply to the affected circuit. The following panels are considered out of date or have been involved in an electrical panel recall: Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok panels. We include photos of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment. I was skeptical, figuring he was trying to upsell me. 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. 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. Hazards of Zinsco Panels. This means the breaker can't ever trip, even when there's a short or overloaded circuit. Hi this seems to be a really helpful site, thanks! [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original. . @Robert shaner, Third party vendors may produce "zinsco replacement" breakers but testing has shown they perform no more safely than the original ones. Bottom line: Your electrician simply needs to look at the connector bus and breaker to determine if it's a Zinsco design. 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. Thanks again for your help and eagle eyes! Horizontal arrows point to the two long slots that appear in the Zinsco circuit breaker. Moving the panel to meet electrical codes. But in my OPINION this is an unsafe situation: it's not a great idea to include fire-kindling inside of an electrical panel! Above and below, courtesy of Richard Sims, we include photographs of a 400A 240V Zinsco Electrical Panel that was property of the Georgia (USA) Power Company, including identifying Zinsco labeling. Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel. Moderator comment: Above: Sylvania electrical panel Catalog No. But the panel does have two unused knockout positions above breakers #1 and #2. 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. Zinsco R38 This is a tandem 20 amp Circuit Breaker. Here (above and below) we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panel. 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. Thank you, On 2020-07-04 by (mod) Other photos on this page show the connecting bus bars and also a top view of the whole circuit breaker showing the two deep slots characteristic of this Zinsco design. Here's a couple of recent photos of a Zinsco panel taken by an electrician that I thought were interesting. My Missouri home was built in 1978. No, Nick, at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS you'll see the company has long been out of business. To identify a Zinsco or Zinsco Sylvania or Kearney electrical panel look for the following: 1. Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. The half Size is R38 for 1 poles and RC38 for 2 poles. US $199.98. The manufacturer is KO Instruments. Try posting a larger photo of that detail. I found it exceedingly helpful, and think it's worth sharing widely. 2, 225 AMPS Max. Zinsco breakers are known to not trip in the presence of overcurrent or short circuits. I have an MLB20 (15-30)C indoor mod 2 breaker box, is this prone to problems? It is also the panel which had several 100 ampere main breaker fails which led to fires. MLB20(12-24)C (Indoor) Mod. It would have top be purchased used only. I think that isfairly common around here. Experts say that FPE panels produced during that . Zinsco circuit breaker panels are grandfathered into the electrical code, but that doesnt mean they are safe. An easily corroded bus bar. They may be the same design with a different sticker on top. They named their product "Challenger". This is contrary to other breakers that are in two rows and black colored. I have a buyer that wants me to put in a new panel because it might be. Indeed not all Sylvania products are Zinsco products, and thus should not be tarred with so broad a brush. as providing "information systems for the European energy industry and utilities. " Photo courtesy Tim Hemm cited at references at the end of these articles. I will do another post with another picture. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF They have a stigma similar to Federal Pacific as being "outlawed" for. According to experts, zinsco panels malfunction for two reasons: Design Flaws Electricians have observed that there are indeed design flaws in the Zinsco circuit breaker panels. There is no and was no GTE-Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel recall that would help you out with replacement costs. The unsafe electrical panels sold by Zinsco were prevalent between the 1960s and 1970s. See details of the hazard at ZINSCO SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS as well as above on this page. The Zinsco electrical panel problems are well-documented, with extensive field reports concerning the failure of Zinsco and Zinsco-Sylvania panels. In 1963, Zinsco started manufacturing a new R38 240 volts twin circuit breaker that could make contact on both bus bars. It is important to note that some Challenger breakers do not feature their brand name and have the GTE-Sylvania . Unfortunately, yes, that's a Zinsco-Sylvania panel design. or LK-22 Lug Block for Mains w/ LK-15 - 150 Amps; The Zinsco panel may be under the name of Sylvania, GTE-Sylvania or Kearney. 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. Once I found your website we started to take a different path. 112. r/solar. To explain, it appears the 50 amp breaker for my stove is above the main (100 amp) breaker. zinsco still make 35 amp breakers? 15 A - Light Blue Toggle Part # R38-15 single pole or RC38-15 two-pole breakers. 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. I'm looking for the AIC rating of the big double throw AC cutoff switch on the front. The new buyer labeled his company Challenger Electric. Photographs of Zinsco Sylvania and GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel labels courtesy of J. P. Simmons. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 46,700 home fires annually due to electrical failure or malfunction. "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40. At least I am aware though. Thanks! Often you will see evidence of arcing or burning at this location. Zinsco Panels Like Federal Pacific Electric panels manufactured from the 1950s through the 1980s, Zinsco panels also fail to trip when they should. They can't hear anything, but you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15 kHz. This type of panel was mainly installed in the 1970's. Besides looking at the label of the panel for the name, this panel has pastel colored breakers that are in one row down. I have put them into a gallery here[link deleted] 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. 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. Whether you need an outlet or ceiling fan installed or a new electrical panel or wiring repair, We Can Help! panel or performs further disassembly (DANGER) can further identify the characteristic circuit breaker details but the circuit breaker 160. Zinsco panels have certain components that contain aluminum. Above is an example, a Zinsco R38 Tandem circuit breaker sporting light blue toggle switches. by Unicorn electrical products? 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. I am always very careful what I say as many people quickly jump to conclusions that I am upselling or Fear marketing. The electrical panel is also tagged with the electrician's card, Jim Wise, owner, Wise Electric. Do not touch anything inside the panel. I discovered it by coincidence doing a search on line during the eight hours they've been here so far. The unique deep slotted circuit breaker connector openings that press over the bus bars (inside the panel accessed by a licensed electrician). You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. They have a reputation as the breaker which doesnt trip. Watch out: replacement circuit breakers that have been tested for these problem brands have generally performed no better than the originals. Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, 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. But Watch out: opening an electrical panel, if you touch what you shouldn't means dead Larry (or Dead Daniel if I do it). Continue readingat IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. If the panel you describe is of the classic Zinsco design described in these pages there is risk of breaker-bus arcing and the other hazards described for Zinsco. [Click to enlarge any image]. 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). 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. 7. Zinsco or Zinsco-Sylvania is the name given to a brand of electrical panel that was commonly installed up to the mid-1970's. It was a very popular product and installed throughout North America. Your electrician agrees that the circuit breakers are a latent hazard - risking failing to protect your home from a fire or injury should an over-current hazard occur, so he or she recommended replacement. The replacements for zinsco do not make the 35 amp any more. 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. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. Today Zinsco electrical panels are deemed outdated and a significant electrical hazard. Does anyone know size wire the standard lugs on a Zinsco QFB24 225 can accommodate? But watch out: there are surely plenty of other GTE panels that are a completely different design and don't have the GTE-Sylvania panel issues. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. 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 peace of mind of having an upgraded panel is likely worth it. I have searched the web and cannot find any of the identifying marks of a Zinsco panel on the panel I have. Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia. Your panel photo so tiny I can't see much, but those red and light blue (?) You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. 15 amp has Blue Handles Part # R38-15 20 Amp has Red Handles Part # R38-20 30 Amp has Green Handles Part # R38-30 The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco. "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF. where we discuss, among other topics, - how to find the age of a Zinsco 200A panel, Thanks for an excellent question, Randy. Due to the deficiencies found in these panels and the adverse effects the panels can cause, Zinsco electrical panels should be replaced. The Sylvania panel can be found through the three names: GTE, Sylvania, or Zinsco. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. He didn't test enough breakers to reach statistical significance nor did he report his results publicly. 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. Not sure what amp panel I have either - looks like maybe 150 amp. Never insert any tool nor your fingers into the interior of an electrical panel. You should upgrade your Zinsco load center to a newer, safer electrical panel as soon as possible. 1. That would be useful additional information to document. Im copying other Langstaff & Sloan Inc. staff in case they have any additional thoughts. 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. 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