where we discuss, among other topics, . 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. The amps rating of the panel box is often on a label on the inside of the cover or on occasion on the sidewall inside of the electrical box - something your electrician can find if it's still there. Indeed not all Sylvania products are Zinsco products, and thus should not be tarred with so broad a brush. Joe's advice is in our opinion bad and unsafe. The peace of mind of having an upgraded panel is likely worth it. The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco, but Federal Pacific Electrical Panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, are a type of electrical panel manufactured by Federal Pacific. Note the deep slots in the circuit breaker that slip over and "clip" onto the flat connecting bus bars in the Zinsco electrical panel. I am always very careful what I say as many people quickly jump to conclusions that I am upselling or Fear marketing. Questions & answers about the identification of Zinsco, Sylvania-Zinsco, and Kearney Electrical Panels - Zinsco-look alike Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. Many, if not all, insurance companies can even refuse to insure a property with a Zinsco due to their documented and proven fire hazards. Product information Technical Details Additional Information Warranty & Support There is a UL-listed test instrument that measures the magnetic response of a 15 or 20 amp brach circuit breaker. You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. - Anonymous by private email 2019/01/30. No, Nick, at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS you'll see the company has long been out of business. 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. 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. Zinsco R38 This is a tandem 20 amp Circuit Breaker. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF Get Free estimates from licensed electricians in your area today. Is replacing a Zinsco breaker panel worth it? 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. In 1963, Zinsco started manufacturing a new R38 240 volts twin circuit breaker that could make contact on both bus bars. 240V 3 PH LONG 15 3/4 WIDE 27 3/4 $300.00 $102.65 shipping InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. On 2021-08-30 But current electrical needs have become greater over the years and these panels are simply not up to code. I agree with that advice, but I acknowledge that the data base of tested Zinsco equipment confirming the failures is smaller than that of the FPE Stab-Lok hazard discussed elsewhere at InspectApedia. 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. Although the breaker appears to be off, internally, the panel may still be conducting power. Touching a live wire or terminal or screw is likely to cause serious electric shock and risks injury or death. Zinsco panels, also known as GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panels. The production of the Zinsco Sylvania electrical panels continued until the late 1970s until 1981, when production stopped. "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries. Use GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, R38, RC38,and HRGF. Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. Frank Adams Electrical panels were installed in buildings in the U.S. roughly between 1900 and 1970. Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. I would GREATLY VALUE your opinion. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original. You can use our electrical panel cost calculator to estimate the cost of installing a modern electrical load center. How to Identify a Zinsco Breaker Panel? Often you will see evidence of arcing or burning at this location. 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. 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. The word Zinsco on the panel door tag, on panel labels or data tags (Zinsco panel label photo above). SKU:SK5261622. Proceed to complete the identification your panel by having its main bus design examined by your electrician. But I would rather live in a house full of knob and tube than one of these panels. 4. Some Zinsco / Zinsco-Sylvania GFCIs follow the color conventions we show above, But others do not. 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 At least I am aware though. 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 power lines that lead out go directly to the meter which has no shut off (including in the box housing the meter). Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, Most of the Zinsco electrical panels and circuit breakers were installed in the 1960s and 1970s. 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. Also is there a place where I can research to find out if my panels were officially recalled? Sylvania/zinsco Panel Cover Dead Front | eBay Challenger Panel Cover Dead Front Sylvania/zinsc o Panel Cover Dead Front Condition: Seller refurbished "Panel cover/dead front refurbished to "like new" condition." Price: US $70.00 Buy It Now Add to cart Add to Watchlist Returns accepted Ships from United States Shipping: Below we show the interior of this 400Amp Zinsco electrical panel. History of the Challenger Panel. 7. 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. 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. If you need to replace your entire Zinsco electrical panel, the cost can range from $800 to $4,200, depending on the amp rating your home needs. 2, Type 1 Enclosure, 125A Max.. Today Zinsco electrical panels are deemed outdated and a significant electrical hazard. I'm looking for the AIC rating of the big double throw AC cutoff switch on the front. The instructions say to use certain Zinsco breakers to replace the original ones. Above is an example, a Zinsco R38 Tandem circuit breaker sporting light blue toggle switches. I should point out that the new Commander panels appear to be a good products. Kosup, Russell R. MULTIPLE CAPACITY CIRCUIT BREAKER [PDF] U.S. Patent 4,187,482, issued February 5, 1980. Now required in the 2020 NEC, panel-level surge protection is key for critical circuits that power equipment in residential applications. However, they can still be found in older homes and properties built before 1990. Apologies for the delay. Zinsco Class Action Lawsuit In 2002, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Federal Pacific Electric and Zinsco regarding the danger posed by their electrical panels. He's doing a great job. 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. Zinsco circuit breakers and the buss connections they use are easily identified regardless of the loss or absence of panel labels. 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. Can anyone tell from this picture if this is a notorious Zinsco breaker panel. They named their product "Challenger". I [will] send pictures Sylvania Electrical Panel Catalog No. Some of these such as FPE involved outright fraud by people who knew perfectly well that the product did not perform properly. 5. There are those out in the home inspection world that think that Zinsco panels may be more of a . It began in 2012. Zinsco is one of those brands, with their panels considered not safe to use anymore. On 2020-12-04 by (mod) It is best to avoid buying used Zinsco breakers. - Editor. 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. An expert who opens the electrical 390-205-09 on a label which has the bottom left corner torn off. An electrician needs to look with care at this panel for any immediate safety hazards, pending its replacement. Zinsco is considered unsafe and a serious fire hazard without being officially recognized by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Other labels indicating you have a Zinsco or Zinsco rebranded product include Sylvania, Sylvania-Zinsco, and GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panel. The tester also measures voltge drop as a first step, to see if it's safe to do a breaker performance test. Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical 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. Experts report that Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) circuit breaker panels may have three major faults that could pose a danger: 1.) 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. Photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker burn up courtesy of Jeff Weissman. 2, 225 AMPS Max. Still, if your electrical panel uses the circuit breakers listed here it may be a Zinsco design. Arrows point to points of identification characteristic of Zinsco breakers. But the design was eventually discontinued, and later Sylvania panels do not have the problematic Zinsco design. Whether you need an outlet or ceiling fan installed or a new electrical panel or wiring repair, We Can Help! For example we often find burned breaker-to-bus connections that are not visible until the breakers have been removed. 4. "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. 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. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. The Sylvania panel can be found through the three names: GTE, Sylvania, or 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. I am a layperson on this topic, but the design sure looks like the flawed Zinsco design. That identifies this as a Zinsco design. An easily corroded bus bar. That's probably what you've got. The Zinsco panel may be under the name of Sylvania, GTE-Sylvania or Kearney. 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