@Robert shaner, It is best to avoid buying used Zinsco breakers. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. 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. Insurance companies have become increasingly cautious when signing insurance for older properties with FPE or Zinsco installed. Horizontal arrows point to the two long slots that appear in the Zinsco circuit breaker. 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. Below are links to pictures of my electrical panel. Replacement is not, in this case, recommended. CONTACT Us with field reports and photos. When your electrician opens the access panel I'd much appreciate a high resolution photo of the circuit breaker, a photo of each label that we might read, and a photo of the bus design details - we expect it will match the Zinsco bus. Turn the Breaker Off then Unscrew the Conductors 3. 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 Concerns raised simply by inspection of your photos include. They have stopped making Federal Panels anyway.Im not sure what the best policy is here, but this much is true: I should simply say yes change these panels, but I know for sure someone will challenge that and it would be better to have reasons. Use GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, R38, RC38,and HRGF. 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. Even if you replace the circuit breakers, the risk from the panel itself will still be present. 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. 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. There will usually be a label with the Zinsco logo on the panel. Some Zinsco electrical panels include an embossed "Magnetrip" label in the panel cover (photo, above left). In that photo I also circle characteristic light green GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco circuit breaker toggle switches. The Zinsco Style may be labeled as Zinsco, Challenger or Sylvaina. CONTACT US with field reports and photos. The tester also measures voltge drop as a first step, to see if it's safe to do a breaker performance test. If I were estimating an electrical panel age I would (Zinsco electrical panel photo below), 3. or LK-22 Lug Block for Mains w/ LK-15 - 150 Amps; Zinsco electrical equipment is considered obsolete, due to a design flaw . . 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. "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries. 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. Challenger also used FPE and Zinsco Circuit Breakers in many Residential Panels and these are the ones that have had trouble according to many experts. It is a Zinsco type electrical panel and should be replaced. It looks like I have the unsafe Sylvania GTE panel. Above is an example, a Zinsco R38 Tandem circuit breaker sporting light blue toggle switches. 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. unused, Condition:: New: A brand-new. 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. MOB20(20-40)C (Indoor) Mod.2, 225 AMPS Max. 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. 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. But in your case we can see the familiar label in your photographs. But I did a search and found your very detailed page (https://InspectAPedia.com/electric/GTE_Sylvania_Zinsco_Identification.php) on the topic. 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. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. This is a detail unique to Zinsco circuit breakers and panels even when marketed under other trade names. Another Zinsco variation . 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. - Editor. (Photos below), Shown above in a very crowded collection of circuit breakers we see two-pole Zinsco RC half-sized breakers in three different amperages. The details to which we point are unique to Zinsco. Use GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers type Q, QC, AFP, R38, RC38, and HRGF. I can ask Dr Aronstein if he can test this Sylvania - Zinsco electrical panel before we disturb conditions by actually pulling breakers. 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. I have searched the web and cannot find any of the identifying marks of a Zinsco panel on the panel I have. Photo courtesy Tim Hemm cited at references at the end of these articles. I'm looking for the AIC rating of the big double throw AC cutoff switch on the front. 3. So they should be treated as the same electrical panel with the same weaknesses. 2, Type 1 Enclosure, 125A Max.. 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. That's probably what you've got. It's probably a 15A Zinsco tandem circuit breaker. I'll attach Estimating Electrical Panel Age Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, Rating with LK-15 150 Amps, LK22 225 AMP. Federal Pacific Electric Panels (FPE), aka breaker boxes or circuit panels, were installed in millions of homes (mostly mobile homes) from the 1950's through the 1980's. . Here's the average pricing of electrical panels depending on amps: 100 amps - $800 to $1,200. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. Zinsco breakers are known to not trip in the presence of overcurrent or short circuits. 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). 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. 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. My Missouri home was built in 1978. Like Zinsco, it brought safety hazards and was recalled. Zinsco electrical panels are obsolete. Since Zinsco Sylvania panels are no longer manufactured, you will not find them in newer buildings. This Zinsco-Sylvania-GTE electrical panel label specifies. Still, if your electrical panel uses the circuit breakers listed here it may be a Zinsco design. by Unicorn electrical products? Do not touch anything inside the panel. Free shipping for many products! (Obsolete, not recommended), 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. [Click to enlarge any image]. LK-15 Also is there a place where I can research to find out if my panels were officially recalled? No. I expect your electrician to be able to confirm the design by removing the panel cover and noting the classic Zinsco bus details. But it is by no means an exhaustive listing. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]. The younger Zinsmeyer took over the company from his father in 1943 and renamed it Zinsco. There is no and was no GTE-Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel recall that would help you out with replacement costs. It appears to be less than 10 years old, but with some older breakers in it.still the main should have tripped. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service. An electrical panel upgrade is the best option and can often be done in one or two days. The bottom line is that having a Zinsco electrical panel can make . Zinsco panels, also known as GTE Sylvania-Zinsco panels. "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. 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. US $97.9 Use this Zinsco Thin Series 100 Amp Double-Pole Type-Z Circuit Breaker in Zinsco load centers for applications up to 56 000 watts including furnaces and electrical additions such as a sub-fed panel box CONNECTICUT UB INC UNIQUE BREAKERS INC UBIZ-260 UBIZ260 ZINSCO 2 POLE 60 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER REPLACES QCAL100. Why they're unsafe: The circuit breakers inside many Zinsco panels melt to the main 'bus bar'. "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850. So don't assume that all-black breakers can be excluded from this unsafe Zinsco circuit breaker group. 1. An electrician needs to look with care at this panel for any immediate safety hazards, pending its replacement. Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia. 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. They were once a popular product to have installed in homes. 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. Can you assist with that? Other Zinsco electrical panel identification and information labels are included in this article. 200 amps - $1,300 to $2,600. He did not know about the Zinsco/Sylvania problem. Free shipping for many products! Q242 [illegible] and continues, stating, Z I N S C O QFP24 LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAIN. Often the panel manufacture date is stamped on the panel labeling but not always and not in a consistent patterns. When I told them I have an old Zinsco panel they asked me to snap a picture of all of the breakers and they offered to send me all new replacement breakers so I could test out their equipment. The idea is good but why use a garbage design? 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. On 2020-12-04 by (mod) And there have never been any recalls initiated on the Zinsco products. Your panel photo so tiny I can't see much, but those red and light blue (?) 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. We are changing the panel Monday. The instructions say to use certain Zinsco breakers to replace the original ones. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. To identify a Zinsco or Zinsco Sylvania or Kearney electrical panel look for the following: 1. 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 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. Is by no means an exhaustive listing your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Inspection! 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