1320 Dayton Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501, 360-705-4225, Fax 360-705-0130 or by email to, Thanks to various electricians, home owners, and home inspectors for contributing the Zinsco Sylvania-Zinsco electric panel and circuit breaker, Thanks to Joe Funderburk, The peace of mind of having an upgraded panel is likely worth it. Zinsco panels, also known as GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panels. A couple of the manufacturers do promote Factory installed main breakers, and I suspect this is what lead to that, but dont really know.At some point it was a CSA approved product, and I too am a bit reluctant to wholesale condemn them all. - Anonymous by private email, 2017/02/16. The word Magnetrip embossed in the steel electrical panel cover or on data tags in the Zinsco electrical panel. Even the newer Sylvania Zinsco panels will be at least 40 years old. What Is A Zinsco Panel And Why Should I Care? Above is an example, a Zinsco R38 Tandem circuit breaker sporting light blue toggle switches. This was used as a temp panel for 3 months on a job. It would have top be purchased used only. as providing "information systems for the European energy industry and utilities. " Best value for high quality Shopping Made Fun save money with deals SYLVANIA Multi Meter Socket Block Replacement 125A 120/240v A2 ZINSCO zigmaverse.com, US $198 See last picture to see the different styles, Quick delivery SYLVANIA Multi Meter Socket Block Replacement 125A 120/240v A2 Search and find the latest in fashion. 400 amps - $2,300 to $4,200. Your second photo above shows cardboard inside of the electrical panel, perhaps stuck there to hold a neutral or ground cable to one side in the enclosure. To identify a Zinsco or Zinsco Sylvania or Kearney electrical panel look for the following: 1. https://unicornsystems.eu/ Some Sylvania brand electrical panels are essentially a "Zinsco in Sylvania's clothing". ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. Due to the type of aluminum used, Zinsco breakers can melt and fuse to the bus bar, prohibiting the breakers from tripping and can cause house fires. 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. I found it exceedingly helpful, and think it's worth sharing widely. By 1961 Zinsco had switched to an aluminum alloy still used today in their manufacture of panels and load-center busing. 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. I have put them into a gallery here[link deleted] You should upgrade your Zinsco load center to a newer, safer electrical panel as soon as possible. - I want to add a 30 amp breaker to the panel to add a portable generator. and I am watching carefully Challenger as well as the others you name. 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. 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. "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850. If I were estimating an electrical panel age I would 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. An easily corroded bus bar. It showed that the central ZINSCO panel and circuit breaker failure problems stem from burn-ups at those clip-to-bus connections. Understanding the Zinsco failure mechanism is pertinent and is discussed in this article series. ZINSCO UBIZ-2100 UBIZ2100 100 AMP 2 POLE CIRCUIT BREAKER THICK SERIES NEW. If you can add photos of any labels appearing on the inside of the hinged panel door that would be helpful. - Anonymous by private email 2019/01/30. It's a zinsco enclosed 200 amp issue no. They may be the same design with a different sticker on top. Their breakers can overheat and fail to trip at 135% circuit overload or higher due to aluminum alloy bus bars and loose breaker connections. Schedule online today and get an additional 10% off of your trip charge! In older homes, there are still some electrical panel brands that have been commonly known to fail at safety standards. Help, my parents bought a new solar system and since then my head hurts. 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. Depending on the panels amperage (150A or 200A panels will cost more), additional electrical upgrades may also be necessary. Free shipping for many products! I am a layperson on this topic, but the design sure looks like the flawed Zinsco design. Ok, I see, the panel label has the language you spotted. It's probably a 15A Zinsco tandem circuit breaker. As a homeowner, you are liable when someone is injured on your property, especially if the harm was foreseeable. Note the panel style and construction details and then see Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service. Some Zinsco electrical panels include an embossed "Magnetrip" label in the panel cover (photo, above left). I see it's in Fairfax Virginia (my home for many years) and I'm guessing from the electrical inspector's tag that the home or at least the panel is from 1976. I'm looking for the AIC rating of the big double throw AC cutoff switch on the front. No, Nick, at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS you'll see the company has long been out of business. . I am wondering if there is a way to tell if this is a Zinsco brand. 3. I'm looking for information on a Zinsco single-phase 400A, 240VAC panelboard with a DS-4564 designation. There is no Zinsco electrical panel recall, despite overwhelming evidence of failures. History of the Challenger Panel. What advice can you give me for connecting a generator. Replacement is not, in this case, recommended. 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. Today Zinsco electrical panels are deemed outdated and a significant electrical hazard. Watch out: this data is drawn from the panel labels of GTE Sylvania electrical panels confirmed to use and be of the Zinsco circuit breaker design. 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. This Zinsco-Sylvania-GTE electrical panel label specifies. 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. 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. Replacing the panel can help improve the electrical systems overall performance and ensure it functions correctly. That would be useful additional information to document. Please see attached - Thanks! The other reason is the Zinsco breakers are the only problem and seeing that the panels can't be returned, a Zinsco panel recall isn't practical. They have been receiving more claims related to such homes, so they are listed as a possible liability. Zinsco is considered unsafe and a serious fire hazard without being officially recognized by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). The replacements for zinsco do not make the 35 amp any more. Some other factors that will affect the price for replacing a Zinsco panel are: Depending on these and other factors, even newer wiring might need to be installed. Although sometimes brand names change at the border. US $199.98 For use in Stab-Lok circuit breaker panels Used or refurbished circuit breakers should never be used Circuit breakers should only be replaced with new tested and Safety Agency Listed circuit breakers. No. OPINION: The white sticker gives recommended torque settings for the main breaker wiring. Because the Challenger panel was very similar in design to Zinsco's . Re-posting without Joe's advertisement In 1973, GTE-Sylvania (same owners of Zinsco) introduced their own panel and breaker design. The unsafe electrical panels sold by Zinsco were prevalent between the 1960s and 1970s. Zinsco panels are unsafe, and we urge homeowners to consider a replacement. You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. As a consequence of this, in Ontario we had to mount drywall behind panels for years. What happened with Zinsco and why do electricians tell people to replace their panels? Joe's advice is in our opinion bad and unsafe. We include photos of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment. Cost to Replace a Zinsco-Sylvania Electrical Panel? The photo above shows the distinctive operating handle on the door of this Zinsco electrical panel. Replacing a Zinsco breaker panel is often worth it, as the older panels can be unreliable and may not meet current safety codes. Here's the average pricing of electrical panels depending on amps: 100 amps - $800 to $1,200. 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. Use Z I N S C O QFP24 Circuit breaker LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAINS as indicated. It drops a dead short across the circuit and measures trip current and time to trip. The full size is type Q and the two ploes are type QC. "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985. 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. . - and then look for remodeling and renovation dates on the panel and in the home's documentation. Zinsco R38 This is a tandem 20 amp Circuit Breaker. The most common amperages are from 15 to 30 amp. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. Photo courtesy Tim Hemm cited at references at the end of these articles. ---- They were installed in millions of homes and commercial properties in North America. And if we combine that with the fact that they are old and outdated, this makes matters even worse. Insurance companies have become increasingly cautious when signing insurance for older properties with FPE or Zinsco installed. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. Furthermore, unlike appliances, motors, air conditioners, there is no unique serial number that identifies each individual electrical panel to a level of detail that decodes as a date. at BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. Brief History of Zinsco Emile Zinsmeyer started Zinsmeyer Co right after the stock market crash of 1929. This panel, in photos above, uses a Zinsco type bus design. It would be prudent to replace it. Zinsco panels may not meet today's updated safety codes. For a minute I thought we weregood! Proceed to complete the identification your panel by having its main bus design examined by your electrician. They named their product "Challenger". Hopefully you can help. Since Milbank still uses a Zinsco design breaker, prefer to keep them on my "do not buy" list. I can ask Dr Aronstein if he can test this Sylvania - Zinsco electrical panel before we disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers. Experts say that FPE panels produced during that . unused, Condition:: New: A brand-new. Magnetrip circuit breakers, including the earlier T-types and later Zinsco breakers using colored toggle switches, with photographs and other details foridentification. The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco, but 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. We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors. 160. But in your case we can see the familiar label in your photographs. However, they can still be found in older homes and properties built before 1990. On 2020-07-10 - by (mod) - is there is a way to tell if this is a Zinsco brand. 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. In 1973, the GTE Corporation launched an electric panel design and called it "Challenger". 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. Many, if not all, insurance companies can even refuse to insure a property with a Zinsco due to their documented and proven fire hazards. Federal Pacific Electric panels were produced from the mid-1950s well into the 1980s. Notice those two vertical strips that connect to two deep slots in the circuit breaker? The word Zinsco on the panel door tag, on panel labels or data tags (Zinsco panel label photo above). Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. 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