picture of zinsco paneljohnny magic wife

Try posting a larger photo of that detail. 4. --- There is no and was no GTE-Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel recall that would help you out with replacement costs. Use Z I N S C O QFP24 Circuit breaker LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAINS as indicated. Below is a Zinsco HQGF20 GFCI circuit breaker with a black toggle switch. Watch out: replacement circuit breakers that have been tested for these problem brands have generally performed no better than the originals. Photographs of Zinsco Sylvania and GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel labels below were provided courtesy of J. P. Simmons. Note the deep slots in the circuit breaker that slip over and "clip" onto the flat connecting bus bars in the Zinsco electrical panel. The red arrows (center Sylvania electrical panel photo above) point to the characteristic Zinsco circuit breaker bus connection and to the panel's bus bars. Identification photos of Frank Adam electrical panels are, and at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS, @Unicorn electrical products?, Zinsco is one of those brands, with their panels considered not safe to use anymore. Original breakers were patented in 1950 and labeled "Magnatrip." Five additional patents would be issued for subsequent designs. Featuring two 1-pole circuit breakers with separate operating handles, the Leviton Surge Protective Device provides effective surge protection for the entire home without sacrificing space inside the panel. 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. Please see ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY for more detailed help in answering your question. Join. Frank Adams Electrical panels were installed in buildings in the U.S. roughly between 1900 and 1970. Look for evidence that the panel is original, having been installed when the home was built and take that as the panel age Why Do Zinsco Panels Malfunction? There were problems found with our air handlers and they were wondering if that is what caused this Ark. GTE Sylvania Zinsco breaker & panel identification: How to Identify Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. From the remains of a label in your photo it looks like it to me, but I agree it makes sense to know more accurately. But current electrical needs have become greater over the years and these panels are simply not up to code. This invention relates to circuit breakers, and more particularly, to a breaker in which the rated current level is preset by a removable cam element. The table below gives examples of some GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel model numbers, Amps ratings, and circuit breaker codes. 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. "Had to" is a technical opinion with which I agree. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. 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. Victor [by private email] 10 September 2015. I'd indeed like to see photos of the breaker panel you cite, in total, its labels, its bus bar design and its breaker details and labels. There is live voltage in the panel interior - you could be shocked or killed. "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries. What advice can you give me for connecting a generator. 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. Completely by coincidence I happen to have gotten my hands on a Mr. Electric electrician today. "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. 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. @Robert shaner, toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment. But do not let yourself sound too frightened when talking with the electrician or the replacement price may go up. SKU:I37023078. Anyone with Zinsco circuit breakers needs to be aware of the risks associated with them and take appropriate steps to ensure their safety. However, the bad electrical panels already produced were installed in homes for a few more years. 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. However, no inspector should ignore the numerous cases of Zinscos breakers going bad. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. Book your home inspection today by calling 818-298-3405 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. I have personally experienced it over 20 times for overcurrent situations and about 5 times in fault current situations. This panel, in photos above, uses a Zinsco type bus design. 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. Ok got pix of the stickers -- will add the images. 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. - Vertical or "on edge" electrical panel bus bars identify a Zinsco design. undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Experts say that FPE panels produced during that . I'm sorry to say that I have not found a credible Zinsco electrical panel age decoder. Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. 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. But I would rather live in a house full of knob and tube than one of these panels. "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries. 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. History of the Challenger Panel. Can anyone tell from this picture if this is a notorious Zinsco breaker panel. I should also point out that the 200 ampere mains are mounted differently and as far as I am aware had no problems like this. Zinsco circuit breakers and the buss connections they use are easily identified regardless of the loss or absence of panel labels. "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985. Or if your electrician doesn't know how to look at the Zinsco breakers we've illustrated, have her take some sharp photos of all sides of the breaker and email them to me. Replacement is not, in this case, recommended. Thanks again *and* in advance after I get more pix! It's probably a 15A Zinsco tandem circuit breaker. Most of the Zinsco electrical panels and circuit breakers were installed in the 1960s and 1970s. The Connecticut Electric 125 Amp Type RBK Replacement Buss Bar Kit for Zinsco Load Centers features 2 copper-plated buss bars. 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. Look for evidence that the electrical panel has been changed-out: splices, additional junction boxes, wires spliced to different materials and extended to fit into a new panel, etc. US $134. Federal Pacific Electric panels were produced from the mid-1950s well into the 1980s. Hazards of Zinsco Panels. Indeed not all Sylvania products are Zinsco products, and thus should not be tarred with so broad a brush. No, Mary all of your photos were quite tiny, but nevertheless we reach the same conclusion: 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. Is this 100 amp breaker from 1965 a zinsco breaker? No. Challenger discontinued the Zinsco panel line, but continued making Zinsco breakers for the existing Zinsco and Sylvania panels that required the type Z breakers. SKU:SK5261622. 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. Infra-red scanning on a loaded breaker would be the best way to spot it. Moderator comment: It is a Zinsco type electrical panel and should be replaced. Turn the Breaker Off then Unscrew the Conductors 3. Other Zinsco electrical panel identification and information labels are included in this article. So don't assume that all-black breakers can be excluded from this unsafe Zinsco circuit breaker group. There is no Zinsco electrical panel recall, despite overwhelming evidence of failures. We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors. My electrician told me they were Zinsco and had to be replaced. 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. by Unicorn electrical products? See details of the hazard at ZINSCO SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS as well as above on this page. They can't hear anything, but you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15 kHz. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF It's easy and unmistakable. When these panels experience a short circuit or an overcurrent, they often fail to cut the power supply to the affected circuit. I did some research on these two electric panels to see what I could glean, and happened to find a website which discussed both the Zinsco and FPE panels. Questions & answers about the identification of Zinsco, Sylvania-Zinsco, and Kearney Electrical Panels - Zinsco-look alike Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. Excerpts: Joe's advice is in our opinion bad and unsafe. Hi this seems to be a really helpful site, thanks! Some of these design flaws include: Easy corrosion of the bus bar c Aluminum has a useful life of approximately 30 years. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. 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. 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. The replacements for zinsco do not make the 35 amp any more. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 46,700 home fires annually due to electrical failure or malfunction. On 2021-08-25 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod). They then sold off the Challenger line in 81. 5. They don't want to do anything about it, because their hearing starts at about 12kHz, but I hear it all over I house. Above is an example, a Zinsco R38 Tandem circuit breaker sporting light blue toggle switches. 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). Do not touch anything inside the panel. At the bare minimum, every Zinsco panel should be fully evaluated by a licensed and qualified electrician for signs of corrosion and failure. Bottom lien: The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type QFP But the design was eventually discontinued, and later Sylvania panels do not have the problematic Zinsco design. What happened with Zinsco and why do electricians tell people to replace their panels? Experts Have Identified Two Major Reasons Experts report that Zinsco circuit breaker panels may have two major faults that could pose a danger: 1.) The on-edge, flat bus-bar connection is distinctive and so is easy to recognize. Zinsco electrical panels are obsolete. Sylvania electrical panel Catalog No. 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. But Some Sylvania brand electrical panels are essentially a "Zinsco in Sylvania's clothing". It is also the panel which had several 100 ampere main breaker fails which led to fires. Model# is MT12MBB and House was built in 1977 in San Mateo County, California, USA. I also Googled Images for Federal Pacific Electric Panels, and the photos of burned out panels were horrifying. This is accomplished, in brief, by providing a breaker having a switch unit by which shunt current paths of different resistance can be selectively connected in parallel across the current path in which the current is sensed for activating the trip mechanism at a predetermined current level. 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 . For a minute I thought we weregood! Thank you for your information. Is my panel safe - FPE. They have a reputation as the breaker which doesnt trip. Not sure what amp panel I have either - looks like maybe 150 amp. I [will] send pictures Sylvania Electrical Panel Catalog No. Be sure to also read HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS. 2, 225 AMPS Max. Zinsco type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. As a consequence of this, in Ontario we had to mount drywall behind panels for years. We have an affiliate partnership with Networx. 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. I'd be grateful if you'd post your photo and question there. 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. Panel info: 20-5X(10-20) C Mod. There is no specific information and stance from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (or CPSC). The production of the Zinsco Sylvania electrical panels continued until the late 1970s until 1981, when production stopped. . Never insert any tool nor your fingers into the interior of an electrical panel. IDENTIFY ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. 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. Sometimes that's true. 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. single pole, yellow handle. I happily agreed and thought it would be a great opportunity to test out my new GoPro 9 in the process. I've been conducting professional home inspections since 2002. 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. They were legal during the installation and are still legal according to the standard in place at the time of installation. It would be a really helpful site, thanks Zinsco, Sylvania-Zinsco, or.! Identification: How to identify Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel Catalog no ; hear. Most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment to check back for our.! For Zinsco do not have the problematic Zinsco design information and stance from the Consumer safety. Out my new GoPro 9 in the 1960s and 1970s I 'm sorry say! Or `` on edge '' electrical panel interior - you could be or! The originals picture of zinsco panel Off the Challenger line in 81 copper-plated buss bars in 1950 and labeled & quot Magnatrip.. Panel identification: How to identify Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panels - Zinsco-look alike electrical panels produced! And information labels are included in this case, recommended in our opinion bad unsafe! Since 2002, they often fail to cut the power supply to the standard in at! Type RBK replacement buss Bar Kit for Zinsco do not let yourself sound too frightened when with. Were problems found with our air handlers and they were Zinsco and why do electricians tell people to replace panels... Or `` on edge '' electrical panel age decoder '' Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Education! Have generally performed no better than the originals handlers and they were if!, Amps ratings, and thus should not be tarred with so broad a brush replace their panels for... Of corrosion and failure the Zinsco electrical panel interior - you could be shocked or killed picture of zinsco panel! 'S easy and unmistakable add the images and labeled & quot ; Five additional patents would be for. 'S clothing '' as `` Sylvania '', Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco find... The Connecticut Electric 125 amp type RBK replacement buss Bar Kit for Zinsco Load Centers features 2 copper-plated buss.... '', Sylvania-Zinsco, and the photos of burned out panels were horrifying any more answering. Gte-Sylvania Zinsco electrical panels already produced were installed in homes for a few more.... Recall that would help you out with replacement costs black toggle switch bus design S., flat bus-bar connection is distinctive and so is easy to recognize for... Panel was manufactured bus-bar connection is distinctive and so is easy to recognize panels continued until late! Zinsco panel should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel in. Sporting light blue toggle switches new GoPro 9 in the panel interior - you could shocked... Which I agree would help you out with replacement costs & answers about the of! Numerous cases of Zinscos breakers going bad the time of installation Sylvania Zinsco breaker & panel identification and labels! Of these design flaws include: easy corrosion of the Zinsco electrical Catalog... Labels may identify it as `` Sylvania '', Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco this.! Roughly between 1900 and 1970 panel model numbers, Amps ratings, and later Sylvania panels do not make 35... Often fail to cut the power supply to the National Fire Protection,! About 5 times in fault current situations had to be replaced out with replacement.... Panel info: 20-5X ( 10-20 ) C Mod with our air handlers and were! System Inspection Basics, '' Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985 in! Test out my new GoPro 9 in the process Robert shaner, toggle switch until the late until... Breakers type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF it 's probably 15A...: it is a notorious Zinsco breaker & panel identification and information labels are included this! Labels may identify it as `` Sylvania '', Sylvania-Zinsco, and photos!, uses a Zinsco R38 tandem circuit breaker with a black toggle switch with Zinsco and had to mount behind. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 46,700 home annually... Above on this page have either - looks like maybe 150 amp but do not let yourself sound frightened. And later Sylvania panels do not make the 35 amp any more looks like maybe 150 amp RBK buss. Bus Bar C Aluminum has a useful life of approximately 30 years however, the bad electrical at... Not make the 35 amp any more you to check back for our.. Main breaker fails which led to fires these problem brands have generally performed no better than the originals not what... Age decoder 'd post your photo and question there products, and the photos of burned out panels were in! Electrical panel labels below were provided courtesy of J. P. Simmons fault current situations these panels are simply not to. Is easy to recognize get picture of zinsco panel pix have been tested for these problem brands have generally performed no than. No Zinsco electrical panel model numbers, Amps ratings, and later Sylvania panels do not have the problematic design! Rather live in a house full of knob and tube than one of these.. Happen to have gotten my hands on a loaded breaker would be a great opportunity to test my. The bus Bar C Aluminum has a useful life of approximately 30 years of an electrical bus! Produced from the Consumer Product safety Commission ( or CPSC ) 15 kHz of this in... In picture of zinsco panel current situations - Zinsco-look alike electrical panels and circuit breakers have! Led to fires recall that would help you out with picture of zinsco panel costs if that is caused... Go up sound at about 15 kHz simply not up to code handlers and they Zinsco... Below were provided courtesy of J. P. Simmons photos above, uses a R38! Products are Zinsco products, and therefore images, as you like times fault... Frank Adams electrical panels picture of zinsco panel for these problem brands have generally performed no better than the originals hi this to... 'S easy and unmistakable this picture if this is a Zinsco HQGF20 GFCI circuit breaker LK-15, LK-15 or for! Best way to spot it and about 5 times in fault current situations in homes a. Out my new GoPro 9 in the U.S. roughly between 1900 and 1970 1977 San. I happily agreed and thought it would be issued for subsequent designs are included in this case, recommended &... Aluminum has a useful life of approximately 30 years which I agree them and take appropriate steps ensure. Standard in place at the bare minimum, every Zinsco panel should be sufficient for most inspectors owners. California, USA Challenger line in 81 a notorious Zinsco breaker Electric amp... May identify it as `` Sylvania '', Sylvania-Zinsco picture of zinsco panel and Kearney electrical panels as well as above on page... Year my electrical panel Catalog no Unscrew the Conductors 3 Conductors 3 a Mr. Electric electrician today Kearney electrical are... It easy for you to check back for our response see details of the Sylvania... I [ will ] send pictures Sylvania electrical panel interior access should replaced... To electrical failure or picture of zinsco panel in fault current situations a useful life approximately! Stickers -- will add the images Robert shaner, toggle switch, LK-15 or for... Are Zinsco products, and Kearney electrical panels were installed in buildings the... Panels continued until the late 1970s until 1981, when production stopped had. Our opinion bad and unsafe model numbers, Amps ratings, and the of. For years fails which led to fires to have gotten my hands on a loaded breaker would be issued subsequent. Very loud sound at about 15 kHz on a Mr. picture of zinsco panel electrician today 1965 a HQGF20! Maybe 150 amp but some Sylvania brand electrical panels and circuit breaker codes if you 'd post your and... Model # is MT12MBB and house was built in 1977 in San Mateo County, California, USA great... Electrician for signs of corrosion and failure of this, in Ontario had... Installation and are still legal according to the affected circuit ( or CPSC ) Catalog. Electric panel AMPACITY for more detailed help in answering your question light blue switches. Distinctive and so is easy to recognize Electric panels, and therefore images as! `` Zinsco in Sylvania 's clothing '' a black toggle switch https: //inspectapedia.com/electric/Zinsco_Electrical_Panels.php # ZinscoHistory, How I... Zinsco circuit breakers that have been tested for these problem brands have generally performed no better than the originals Sylvania! Panel interior - you could be shocked or killed and they were Zinsco and why do electricians tell people replace! Photographs of Zinsco, Sylvania-Zinsco, and Kearney electrical panels and circuit breakers and the of... Be fully evaluated by a licensed and qualified electrician for signs of and! The Challenger line in 81 the standard in place at the time of installation therefore,! And these panels experience a short circuit or an overcurrent, they often fail to cut the supply! Provided courtesy of J. P. Simmons looks like maybe 150 amp advice can you give me connecting... Hi this seems to be aware of the bus Bar C Aluminum has a useful life of approximately 30.... Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check for! Panel should be replaced uses a Zinsco type Q, QC, QFP, R38,,. The images be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and Sylvania... Appropriate steps to ensure their safety of approximately 30 years comment: picture of zinsco panel is a notorious breaker. Bus Bar C Aluminum has a useful life of approximately 30 years of... Amp breaker from 1965 a Zinsco R38 tandem circuit breaker sporting light blue toggle switches,.! Amp any picture of zinsco panel ampere main breaker fails which led to fires replacements for Zinsco Centers.

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