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. "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. But Watch out: opening an electrical panel, if you touch what you shouldn't means dead Larry (or Dead Daniel if I do it). There is live voltage in the panel interior - you could be shocked or killed. You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. Be sure to also read HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS. On 2020-07-10 - by (mod) - is there is a way to tell if this is a Zinsco brand. 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. The full size is type Q and the two ploes are type QC. IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. This GTE Sylvania Zinsco panel label states. I found it exceedingly helpful, and think it's worth sharing widely. Use Z I N S C O QFP24 Circuit breaker LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAINS as indicated. - Editor. - Anonymous by private email, 2017/02/16. Those red and light blue (?) It has Zinsco type rc38al circuit breaker in it. 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. I'd like to have seen a view of the actual circuit breaker from its side or a view of the metal bus bar to which the breakers connect as that will give an absolute identification. Above: GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel identifies this as GTE Sylvania Zinsco Model MLB20(30-40) 225A Max (with CU conductors) or 208A (with AL conductors), and a closer look at the upper right corner of the panel door label lists the circuit breakers permitted in this panel, detailed below. The first Zinsco panels and breakers- labeled "Magnatrip"- (patent issued in 1950) had copper bus-bars and breaker clips. So don't assume that all-black breakers can be excluded from this unsafe Zinsco circuit breaker group. zinsco still make 35 amp breakers? [see IDENTIFY KEARNEY PANELS]and was not aware that Zinsco made combination residential panels. 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. But it is by no means an exhaustive listing. Zinsco 100-125 amp Circuit Breaker Panel Dead Front Cover $125.00 $28.75 shipping ZINSCO DEAD FROT COVER 125A 120/240V 1 PH 16 SPC LONG 19 3/8 WIDE 6 $125.00 $28.75 shipping Zinsco Magnetrip Load Center Panel Cover Dead Front $74.95 $24.99 shipping ZINSCO SWITCHGEAR COVER 600A MAX. Challenger discontinued the Zinsco panel line, but continued making Zinsco breakers for the existing Zinsco and Sylvania panels that required the type Z breakers. The word Zinsco on the panel door tag, on panel labels or data tags (Zinsco panel label photo above). The electrical panel is also tagged with the electrician's card, Jim Wise, owner, Wise Electric. The Challenger panel was installed in thousands of homes between 1980s to 1990s. Whether you need an outlet or ceiling fan installed or a new electrical panel or wiring repair, We Can Help! No. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. Production of Zinsco panels halted in mid-1970s. We have no performance data on Unicorn circuit breakers on which to claim that the breaker and bus performance was better or worse than the Zinsco original. Even though they may be working today, there may be underlying problems, and they can fail anytime. Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection- Bellingham Technical College. Hello, Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. Thank you, On 2020-07-04 by (mod) Experts say that FPE panels produced during that . It's probably a 15A Zinsco tandem circuit breaker. Im copying other Langstaff & Sloan Inc. staff in case they have any additional thoughts. 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. Anyone with Zinsco circuit breakers needs to be aware of the risks associated with them and take appropriate steps to ensure their safety. As a homeowner, you are liable when someone is injured on your property, especially if the harm was foreseeable. certain Sylvania electrical panels and breakers which are in fact of the same product design and origin. Zinsco Panels Like Federal Pacific Electric panels manufactured from the 1950s through the 1980s, Zinsco panels also fail to trip when they should. 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! When Sylvania purchased Zinsco, they started labeling the panels under the Sylvania name. On 2021-08-21 Electrical Equipment & Supplies; Circuit Breakers & Disconnectors; If I were estimating an electrical panel age I would Zinsco panels are known for being unsafe, as they are prone to overheating and arcing. Brief History of Zinsco Emile Zinsmeyer started Zinsmeyer Co right after the stock market crash of 1929. Please see ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY for more detailed help in answering your question. The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco, but 2. 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 . - and then look for remodeling and renovation dates on the panel and in the home's documentation. This website discusses the electrical, fire, and shock hazards associated with Zinsco electrical components, The power lines that lead out go directly to the meter which has no shut off (including in the box housing the meter). What are your thoughts about this panel set-up? 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. According to usinspect.com, problems with Zinsco Panels . Many, if not all, insurance companies can even refuse to insure a property with a Zinsco due to their documented and proven fire hazards. This is a detail unique to Zinsco circuit breakers and panels even when marketed under other trade names. I went to those sites and still cannot determine if mine is a Zinsco. c I am wondering if there is a way to tell if this is a Zinsco brand. Home inspectors often call out the dangers of a Zinsco style panel during a home inspection. 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. this is the dryer outlet, and our dryer is a 24-amp appliance, so no problem there. 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. Concerns raised simply by inspection of your photos include. Also it was interesting that a New York Electrical Engineer performing independent tests on samples of used circuit breakers of a variety of brands found in very preliminary testing was that there were a few other contemporary panel/breaker products that appeared to have high (compared with overall industry) no-trip rates. The instructions say to use certain Zinsco breakers to replace the original ones. or Cat.No. but this is an unusual panel - not one I've seen before, in which all of the breakers are arranged in a single vertical stack. This is contrary to other breakers that are in two rows and black colored. The 1970s saw the installation of Sylvania panels, known by three different names- GTE, Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel. Another Zinsco variation . Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. 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. The Zinsco Style may be labeled as Zinsco, Challenger or Sylvaina. a picture of the Sylvania sticker and also another one of the whole box. panel or performs further disassembly (DANGEROUS STEP) can further identify the characteristic circuit breaker details but the circuit breaker 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. LK-15 They were installed in millions of homes and commercial properties in North America. 2, 225 AMPS Max. Can anyone tell from this picture if this is a notorious Zinsco breaker panel. Get Free estimates from licensed electricians in your area today. Although the breaker appears to be off, internally, the panel may still be conducting power. In the case of Zinsco panels, the risks are well known. On 2020-12-04 by (mod) Look for an electrical inspector's stamp of approval of the installation - those, if present, are dated and signed. There is live voltage in the panel interior - you could be shocked or killed. Or see IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANEL FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on this page. Thanks again! 1. Almost immediately, Zinsco began development of new panel and circuit breaker designs, with patent applications dating back to 1946. Continue readingat IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. They may be the same design with a different sticker on top. That would argue for an occurrence of the bus-connector defects and hazards we've described. And there have never been any recalls initiated on the Zinsco products. Again you guys are great for helping out! Below is a close-up of the bus connection end of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. The unsafe electrical panels sold by Zinsco were prevalent between the 1960s and 1970s. US $199.98. 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. 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. MLB20(12-24)C (Indoor) Mod. Adjustable Zinsco Sylvania Electric Panel Retrofit Kits produced by Eaton Corp., Cutler Hammer Products are a patented design new electric panel interior designed to replace aging electrical panels in residential and light commercial applications. I discovered it by coincidence doing a search on line during the eight hours they've been here so far. Is this 100 amp breaker from 1965 a zinsco breaker? at the best online prices at eBay! AMPS, LIMITING FACTORS will also help you out - as "panel rating" - if you're asking about amps, is by no means the whole question on electrical service ampacity. REally appreciate your feedback(wow, and quick too!). You can use our electrical panel cost calculator to estimate the cost of installing a modern electrical load center. This Zinsco-Sylvania-GTE electrical panel label specifies. I wanted corroboration so I could be sure I wasn't buying something that I really didn't need. It seems that the problems stem from aluminum parts within the panel. Help, my parents bought a new solar system and since then my head hurts. In 78 they changed the name of the Zinsco line to Challenger. . "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. SKU:SK5261622. The consensus among most electricians is that these breakers are safer than the original breakers. 7. They then sold off the Challenger line in 81. Rating with LK-15 150 Amps, LK22 225 AMP. (Don't try it.). See GTE-SYLVANIA-ZINSCO FAILURE MECHANISM. But However, when looking into the safety of your electrical panel, it's important to look beyond . According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 46,700 home fires annually due to electrical failure or malfunction. GTE-Sylvania / Zinsco Panel Identification Pictures Below is a close-up of the bus connection end of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. Photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker burn up courtesy of Jeff Weissman. 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. At IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS we describe other Sylvania brand electrical panels that do not use the Zinsco electrical panel bus and breaker design. In addition, Zinsco panels typically have the logo at the top of the panel. Why GFCI Outlets have a Blinking Red Light? Watch out: you've got the electrical panel cover off completely. Here's a picture of the instructions / panel: picture 1 picture 2 I would like to replace the 40A breaker shown with a 30A GFCI breaker. It's a zinsco enclosed 200 amp issue no. Free shipping for many products! Sylvania panels from GTE Panels made by Zinsco If you have a malfunctioning circuit breaker in your home, you should replace it before it does any damage. You should upgrade your Zinsco load center to a newer, safer electrical panel as soon as possible. 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. My electrician told me they were Zinsco and had to be replaced. Identify Zinsco-like Sylvania Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. Pushmatic. Below right: a badly faded Sylvania electrical panel sticker. 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. Excerpts: The half Size is R38 for 1 poles and RC38 for 2 poles. But other times not. 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. Watch out: do NOT try to open up your panel nor to remove circuit breakers yourself. History of the Challenger Panel. "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850. For example, the deep slot that cuts up into the side of Zinsco breakers and the "on-edge" bus bars are key details that will reliably identify Zinsco breakers and panels and can be easily seen in an electrical panel. Like Zinsco, it brought safety hazards and was recalled. 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. [Click to enlarge any image]. 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. "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40. WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board. 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. or LK-22 Lug Block for Mains w/ LK-15 - 150 Amps; 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. They have a reputation as the breaker which doesnt trip. 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. Below is an enlargement of the the bus-connection section of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. I am sending you a picture, can you tell if it needs to be replaced? Zinsco circuit breaker & electrical panel identification guide: How to Identify Zinsco & Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. Photographs of Zinsco Sylvania and GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel labels below were provided courtesy of J. P. Simmons. For people who are too poor to make their homes safer by replacing questionable electrical equipment we suggest some initial or temporary hazard reduction measures: I was reading information on your website about Zinsco panels but I can't determine if my main panel and sub-panel inside the house are the affected panels. 390-205-09 on a label which has the bottom left corner torn off. 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. it seems to me that this is one area where a Home Inspectors opinion is more likely to be simply accepted as they have nothing to gain.I have never heard of Kearney So, what breakers are compatible with Zinsco? 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. The upper and lower "Do not Remove this K.O." 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. However, the bad electrical panels already produced were installed in homes for a few more years. 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. [Click to enlarge any image] Check the Breaker for Damage It's Best to Replace the Entire Panel Conclusion Ways to Remove a Zinsco Breaker The characteristic colored Zinsco red, green, blue, gray & white toggle switches on the circuit breakers in the Zinsco electrical panel. Watch out: you will also find some 30A - Black toggle Zinsco breakers and 20A black-toggled GFCI breakers that, as you'll see illustrated below on this page. I have only had 2 Federal Pioneer (FP or FPE) breakers not trip, but one was actually yesterday. 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. The word Magnetrip embossed in the steel electrical panel cover or on data tags in the Zinsco electrical panel. Replacing the panel can help improve the electrical systems overall performance and ensure it functions correctly. Once I found your website we started to take a different path. I have searched the web and cannot find any of the identifying marks of a Zinsco panel on the panel I have. Still, if your electrical panel uses the circuit breakers listed here it may be a Zinsco design. - Anonymous (pending author wish to be identified) to A.C. to D.F. We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors. There will usually be a label with the Zinsco logo on the panel. We are changing the panel Monday. Magnetrip circuit breakers, including the earlier T-types and later Zinsco breakers using colored toggle switches, with photographs and other details foridentification. @Robert shaner, I've been conducting professional home inspections since 2002. . Most of the Zinsco electrical panels and circuit breakers were installed in the 1960s and 1970s. As a consequence of this, in Ontario we had to mount drywall behind panels for years. Other Zinsco electrical panel identification and information labels are included in this article. @Robert shaner, I have personally experienced it over 20 times for overcurrent situations and about 5 times in fault current situations. 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. 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. 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. 400 amps - $2,300 to $4,200. Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly. Insurance companies have become increasingly cautious when signing insurance for older properties with FPE or Zinsco installed. and I am watching carefully Challenger as well as the others you name. Aluminum bus lugs with steel screws in any older panel; we find (and your electrician astutely suggests) that the steel screw binds in the aluminum lug and that tightening even to torque specifications can leave a large gauge wire loose in the connector. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. 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. 2, 225AMPS Max. Because the Challenger panel was very similar in design to Zinsco's . Watch out: removing and replacing circuit breakers or "exercising" them by turning them on and off can in some cases actually increase the risk of a future failure because of scoring of a plated panel bus bar or because some breaker brands such as FPE show an increased failure to trip after being switched on and off. I saw this listed as 50A but am doubtful. 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. toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment. Replacement is not, in this case, recommended. They can't hear anything, but you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15 kHz. Also is there a place where I can research to find out if my panels were officially recalled? Zinsco panels have certain components that contain aluminum. Hi all what about unicorn electrical products? - Vertical or "on edge" electrical panel bus bars identify a Zinsco design. 20 A - Red Toggle Part # R38-20 or RC38-20 double pole. Here I'll post a closer-view excerpted from your photo. Personal communication, J. Aronstein to D. Friedman, 3/6/2006, James P. Simmons: Personal communication and photographs used in this article series, J. Simmons to Daniel Friedman, 3/4/2006, 2/19/2008. where we discuss, among other topics, 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. Application filed by Unicorn Industries Inc.. Above is an example, a Zinsco R38 Tandem circuit breaker sporting light blue toggle switches. It is best to avoid buying used Zinsco breakers. The company was sold in 1973 to GTE- Sylvania, who continued to manufacture breakers and panels to the original Zinsco design for some years; this product line is now discontinued. OPINION: The white sticker gives recommended torque settings for the main breaker wiring. The idea is good but why use a garbage design? Ways to Remove a Zinsco Breaker Prepare the Following Tools 1. Join. "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. I happily agreed and thought it would be a great opportunity to test out my new GoPro 9 in the process. Federal Pacific Electrical Panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, are a type of electrical panel manufactured by Federal Pacific. Aluminum Enters the Picture. 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. Other labels indicating you have a Zinsco or Zinsco rebranded product include Sylvania, Sylvania-Zinsco, and GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panel. It appears to be less than 10 years old, but with some older breakers in it.still the main should have tripped. The details to which we point are unique to Zinsco. My Missouri home was built in 1978. And in the cases where the insurance company decides to write the insurance, the owner might be charged a higher premium due to the higher risk of electrical fires and damages. Replacing a Zinsco breaker panel is often worth it, as the older panels can be unreliable and may not meet current safety codes. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. 5. IDENTIFY ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. At least I am aware though. I have put them into a gallery here[link deleted] Infra-red scanning on a loaded breaker would be the best way to spot it. Well I am in the middle of Working From Home in this crazy time! It would have top be purchased used only. Here (above and below) we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panel. Often the panel manufacture date is stamped on the panel labeling but not always and not in a consistent patterns. I am a layperson on this topic, but the design sure looks like the flawed Zinsco design. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. Thank you for your information. Photographs of Zinsco Sylvania and GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel labels courtesy of J. P. Simmons. The Zinsco panel exterior is shown above and in close-up below. 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. That's probably what you've got. There are inherent problems in the bus bars of the panel and the materials used for their manufacturing. 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