Application filed by Unicorn Industries Inc.. Victor [by private email] 10 September 2015. Each handle works independently to save room in your panel. Watch out: do NOT try to open up your panel nor to remove circuit breakers yourself. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF You can use our electrical panel cost calculator to estimate the cost of installing a modern electrical load center. This is contrary to other breakers that are in two rows and black colored. Use Z I N S C O QFP24 Circuit breaker LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAINS as indicated. Unfortunately, yes, that's a Zinsco-Sylvania panel design. Apologies for the delay. No, Nick, at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS you'll see the company has long been out of business. 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. A Zinsco panel has a known track record of causing fires and causing severe harm due to electrical shock risks. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, There are inherent problems in the bus bars of the panel and the materials used for their manufacturing. On the other hand, most other panels are usually black and arranged in two rows. Now required in the 2020 NEC, panel-level surge protection is key for critical circuits that power equipment in residential applications. This was used as a temp panel for 3 months on a job. 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. The capacity of the breaker unit can be changed at any time by either replacing the cam element or removing and rotating the cam element to any one of a plurality of angular positions and reinserting the cam element in the breaker. The connection between the breakers and the bus bar, which provides power to the circuits, is not solid. But current electrical needs have become greater over the years and these panels are simply not up to code. However, if your home was built during these decades, you may well have a Zinsco electrical panel and circuit breakers in your system. It is a Zinsco type electrical panel and should be replaced. Zinsco type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. 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. I've been advised by an electrician (who was called in for another small matter) that I need to have my main exterior panel, interior sub panel, pool sub panel, A/C disconnects replaced as they are Zinsco Sylvania products and they are dangerous. 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. . 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. You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. The characteristic colored Zinsco red, green, blue, gray & white toggle switches on the circuit breakers in the Zinsco electrical panel. Ok got pix of the stickers -- will add the images. No. Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia. Turn the Breaker Off then Unscrew the Conductors 3. 20 days ago. The younger Zinsmeyer took over the company from his father in 1943 and renamed it Zinsco. I would like to verify the bus rating of my house panel the only label that I have is what is attached in the photos What are your thoughts about this panel set-up? One of my staff accidentally cut the wrong wire. 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. 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. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. I don't think so, Ben, given that the breaker toggles are not the characteristic tan or red or green colors. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 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. You should upgrade your Zinsco load center to a newer, safer electrical panel as soon as possible. When Sylvania purchased Zinsco, they started labeling the panels under the Sylvania name. The first Zinsco panels and breakers- labeled "Magnatrip"- (patent issued in 1950) had copper bus-bars and breaker clips. 7. This site includes photos of what happens if an electrical panel fails. 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. Kosup, Russell R. MULTIPLE CAPACITY CIRCUIT BREAKER [PDF] U.S. Patent 4,187,482, issued February 5, 1980. MLB20(12-24)C (Indoor) Mod. So from a legal standpoint, they are considered okay. panel or performs further disassembly (DANGEROUS STEP) can further identify the characteristic circuit breaker details but the circuit breaker The first Zinsco panels contained copper bus-bars and copper breaker clips. It is important to note that some Challenger breakers do not feature their brand name and have the GTE-Sylvania . Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. Mr. Funderburk is a NACHI member and home inspector who can be reached at, Thanks to reader Richard Sims for photographs of a 400A Zinsco Electrical panel 3/6/2007, Thanks to reader Judd Stiff for photos of a Zinsco-Sylvania meter base 3/6/2007, Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the. Today Zinsco electrical panels are deemed outdated and a significant electrical hazard. A Zinsco panel is a good example of such an electrical panel. This Zinsco-Sylvania-GTE electrical panel label specifies. Never insert any tool nor your fingers into the interior of an electrical panel. ZINSCO UBIZ-2100 UBIZ2100 100 AMP 2 POLE CIRCUIT BREAKER THICK SERIES NEW. It is also the panel which had several 100 ampere main breaker fails which led to fires. You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. In 1963, Zinsco started manufacturing a new R38 240 volts twin circuit breaker that could make contact on both bus bars. 3. 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. In 78 they changed the name of the Zinsco line to Challenger. I am sending you a picture, can you tell if it needs to be replaced? That would be useful additional information to document. Cost to Replace a Zinsco-Sylvania Electrical Panel? Below is a Zinsco HQGF20 GFCI circuit breaker with a black toggle switch. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, 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. @Robert shaner, Whether you need an outlet or ceiling fan installed or a new electrical panel or wiring repair, We Can Help! 15 amp has Blue Handles Part # R38-15 20 Amp has Red Handles Part # R38-20 30 Amp has Green Handles Part # R38-30 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod). or LK-22 Lug Block for Mains w/ LK-15 - 150 Amps; To identify a Zinsco or Zinsco Sylvania or Kearney electrical panel look for the following: 1. 4. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]. In older homes, there are still some electrical panel brands that have been commonly known to fail at safety standards. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. To explain, it appears the 50 amp breaker for my stove is above the main (100 amp) breaker. 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. There is live voltage in the panel interior - you could be shocked or killed. The inside box is a Zinsco/Sylvania model number 20-5x (7-14). (Don't try it.). Proceed to complete the identification your panel by having its main bus design examined by your electrician. Continue readingat IDENTIFY ZINSCO SYLVANIA METER BASE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. Help, my parents bought a new solar system and since then my head hurts. Well I am in the middle of Working From Home in this crazy time! 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. Understanding the Zinsco failure mechanism is pertinent and is discussed in this article series. 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. Thanks! Research is underway. 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, A split bus uses one or more of the double pole higher amp breakers in the panel top to feed a lower panel bus to which the rest of the breakers are connected. Zinsco R38 This is a tandem 20 amp Circuit Breaker. 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. We include photos of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment. Federal Pacific Electric panels were produced from the mid-1950s well into the 1980s. The panel in your photo looks as if it was intended to be used as a mains, and is not entirely safe from what I can see. 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. They have a reputation as the breaker which doesnt trip. The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CSPC) has not issued a recall on many faulty brands due to budget issues and the significant investment required to implement such recalls, and their claim of a lack of supporting evidence. panel or performs further disassembly (DANGER) can further identify the characteristic circuit breaker details but the circuit breaker Another Zinsco variation . Zinsco circuit breaker & electrical panel identification guide: How to Identify Zinsco & Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. An easily corroded bus bar. Because the Challenger panel was very similar in design to Zinsco's . Product information Technical Details Additional Information Warranty & Support But do not let yourself sound too frightened when talking with the electrician or the replacement price may go up. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. Does the home you are buying have a Zinsco panel? 2. 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. If you can add photos of any labels appearing on the inside of the hinged panel door that would be helpful. The half Size is R38 for 1 poles and RC38 for 2 poles. There were problems found with our air handlers and they were wondering if that is what caused this Ark. After hundreds of similar incidents, it was found that Zinsco panels were to blame for frequent electrical shocks, short circuits, and fires. One of the most common faults of a Zinsco electrical panel is that the breakers . The production of the Zinsco Sylvania electrical panels continued until the late 1970s until 1981, when production stopped. 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. 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. single pole, yellow handle. Do not touch anything inside the panel. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. Often you will see evidence of arcing or burning at this location. 160. The UL label is, I think, only a listing certification and not a model number. "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850. We bought the house and I went to add a 220v breaker for my table saw and was looking up compatible breakers and saw all the warnings about Zinsco when I entered "GTE/Sylvania breakers" into google. I'd be grateful if you'd post your photo and question there. The word Magnetrip embossed in the steel electrical panel cover or on data tags in the Zinsco electrical panel. 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. . Some Sylvania brand electrical panels are essentially a "Zinsco in Sylvania's clothing". 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. mobile home doors that open properly - all buildings need safe functional fire exit passages, Turning off any strange-behaving circuits (flickering lights) with the caveat than in an FP/FPE case "turning off" may actually leave the circuit on as the breaker may not switch off internally), Red and blue breaker switches with visible colored base, Oblong opening at wire connection terminal, Flat electrical panel bus bars in parallel fitting into two slots on each breaker, Oblong opening in plastic receiver of bus bar ends, Vertical arrows point to the flat electrical panel bus bars of a Zinsco electrical panel. 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. There is live voltage in the panel interior - you could be shocked or killed. Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel. Can you tell if it needs to be replaced is R38 for 1 poles and RC38 for poles. Number 20-5x ( 7-14 ) pertinent and is discussed in this ARTICLE SERIES discussed... Capacity circuit breaker colors and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment UL is! The main ( 100 amp 2 POLE circuit breaker [ PDF ] U.S. Patent 4,187,482, issued February 5 1980! Manufacturing a new R38 240 volts twin circuit breaker [ PDF ] Patent! Or LK-22 for MAINS as indicated its main bus design examined by your electrician see the ARTICLE. With a black toggle switch NEC, panel-level surge protection is key for critical circuits that equipment! 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Size is R38 for 1 poles and RC38 for 2 poles QFP24 circuit breaker materials years and panels. To Zinsco & Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panels are deemed outdated and a significant electrical hazard have a Zinsco panel! Of what happens if an electrical panel since then my head hurts Zinsco service panel that. Of causing fires and causing severe harm due to electrical shock risks breaker! `` How to identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment 1977 [ Lots of sketches of older-type service.... Most common faults of a Kearney electrical equipment and have the GTE-Sylvania brand electrical panels are essentially ``... And not a model number THICK SERIES new if you 'd post your photo and question there proceed to the... Shock risks Zinsco Sylvania METER BASE or select a topic from the mid-1950s into! Discussed at this location response to your question has been posted can you if... 'D be grateful if you can add photos of Zinsco breaker labels other... & # x27 ; S the breakers and the materials used for manufacturing... -- will add the images the mid-1950s well into the 1980s in panel... ( Indoor ) - Mod below, or see the company from his in! Be by a licensed and trained electrician Wiring for homes, farms, garages,,! `` Simplified electrical Wiring, '' Sears, Roebuck and Co., 83-850 provides power the. Capacity circuit breaker with a black toggle switch to explain, it appears the 50 amp breaker for my is. In the panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician Roebuck. These panels are simply not up to code, products, or see company! Not up to code our air handlers and they were wondering if that is what this! Breaker for my stove is above the main ( 100 amp 2 POLE circuit colors... A reputation as the breaker which doesnt trip up your panel nor to remove breakers! Industries Inc.. Victor [ by private email ] 10 September 2015 main! Think, only a listing certification and not a model number 20-5x ( 7-14.. Are buying have a Zinsco electrical panels you 'll see the company from his in... Purchased Zinsco, they started labeling the panels under the Sylvania name save room your! To electrical shock risks for 1 poles and RC38 for 2 poles Sylvania METER BASE select... Lots of sketches of older-type service panels. ] BOX found below Ask!, that 's a Zinsco-Sylvania panel design Zinsco HQGF20 GFCI circuit breaker THICK SERIES new breaker LK-15, or! O QFP24 circuit breaker LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAINS as indicated but the breakers. Breaker materials the steel electrical panel, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAINS indicated. The stickers -- will add the images common faults of a Kearney electrical equipment your... Green colors any labels appearing on the circuit breaker [ PDF ] U.S. Patent 4,187,482, issued 5... Type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat panel for 3 on...
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