Proceed to complete the identification your panel by having its main bus design examined by your electrician. 20 days ago. The Zinsco Style may be labeled as Zinsco, Challenger or Sylvaina. Like Zinsco, it brought safety hazards and was recalled. 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. No, Nick, at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS you'll see the company has long been out of business. ---- Book your home inspection today by calling 818-298-3405 Re-posting without Joe's advertisement 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. Zinsco type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. I'll check with him. Model# is MT12MBB and House was built in 1977 in San Mateo County, California, USA. It is a 3 Pole 225A breaker and we would like to run 250MCM. Below we show the interior of this 400Amp Zinsco electrical panel. Continue readingat IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. Zinsco or GTE-Sylvania panels were popular electrical panels installed in homes throughout the 1970s. Therefore, we urge homeowners to consider replacing Zinsco panels. 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 Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Zinsco 100 or 125 amp residential Dead Front cover Sylvania GTE. An electrical panel upgrade is the best option and can often be done in one or two days. To explain, it appears the 50 amp breaker for my stove is above the main (100 amp) breaker. They don't want to do anything about it, because their hearing starts at about 12kHz, but I hear it all over I house. It is important to note that some Challenger breakers do not feature their brand name and have the GTE-Sylvania . Touching a live wire or terminal or screw is likely to cause serious electric shock and risks injury or death. 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. 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. It began in 2012. I'm sorry to say that I have not found a credible Zinsco electrical panel age decoder. Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. But in my OPINION this is an unsafe situation: it's not a great idea to include fire-kindling inside of an electrical panel! Photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker burn up courtesy of Jeff Weissman. There is a city-wide mandate that any Meter Main by ZINSCO must be upgraded in Napa, California. But Watch out: opening an electrical panel, if you touch what you shouldn't means dead Larry (or Dead Daniel if I do it). Or you might receive a grace period during which you need to change your electric panel. 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. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. They then sold off the Challenger line in 81. Clockwise from upper left: Compare these to other circuit breakers or to other Zinsco breakers in this article series. Even though they may be working today, there may be underlying problems, and they can fail anytime. 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. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. The manufacturer is KO Instruments. 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'm looking to upgrade to 200A with solar system in future but trying to decide if I should replace it now if it's unsafe. Photographs of Zinsco Sylvania and GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel labels courtesy of J. P. Simmons. It is a Zinsco type electrical panel and should be replaced. I am wondering if there is a way to tell if this is a Zinsco brand. Identify Zinsco-like Sylvania Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. It is from 1975. Is my panel safe - FPE. Never insert any tool nor your fingers into the interior of an electrical panel. . MLB20(12-24)C (Indoor) Mod. I'll attach Thanks so much, this is a great service you are providing! But it is by no means an exhaustive listing. WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board. The Sylvania panel can be found through the three names: GTE, Sylvania, or Zinsco. It's probably a 15A Zinsco tandem circuit breaker. zinsco still make 35 amp breakers? 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'm dealing with this problem in my home currently, I have both my HVAC and an electrician here. Yes, this house is indeed in Fairfax. 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. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40. Sometimes that's true. Other Zinsco electrical panel identification and information labels are included in this article. I went to those sites and still cannot determine if mine is a Zinsco. 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: IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. 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. GTE Sylvania Zinsco breaker & panel identification: How to Identify Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. Here I'll post a closer-view excerpted from your photo. 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. I was skeptical, figuring he was trying to upsell me. Pushmatic. Q242 [illegible] and continues, stating. Well I am in the middle of Working From Home in this crazy time! Rating with LK-15 150 Amps, LK22 225 AMP. by (mod) It is best to avoid buying used Zinsco breakers. I should point out that the new Commander panels appear to be a good products. Also is there a place where I can research to find out if my panels were officially recalled? There were a few still being installed later, but they are rare. Im copying other Langstaff & Sloan Inc. staff in case they have any additional thoughts. Not sure what amp panel I have either - looks like maybe 150 amp. I don't think so, Ben, given that the breaker toggles are not the characteristic tan or red or green colors. Use GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, R38, RC38,and HRGF. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. We have an affiliate partnership with Networx. Apologies for the delay. Try posting a larger photo of that detail. Ok got pix of the stickers -- will add the images. Photo courtesy Tim Hemm cited at references at the end of these articles. However, the bad electrical panels already produced were installed in homes for a few more years. There is no Zinsco electrical panel recall, despite overwhelming evidence of failures. However, these dont seem any different from the original Zinsco panels. On 2021-08-21 Challenger panels made by Challenger Electrical Equipment Corp or Eaton/Cutler Hammer. Aluminum Enters the Picture. According to usinspect.com, problems with Zinsco Panels . The connection between the breakers and the bus bar, which provides power to the circuits, is not solid. 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. I am sending you a picture, can you tell if it needs to be replaced? [Click to enlarge any image]. 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. 2, 225 AMPS Max. The Zinsco circuit breakers, particularly R38 breakers, a two-pole breaker that takes up one breaker slot, have a high failure rate. circuit breakers, electrical panels, including 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. . Watch out: the panel looks corroded, rusty, unreliable as a brand-independent hazard, and of course Zinsco breakers and panels are unsafe in any event. 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. Why they're unsafe: The circuit breakers inside many Zinsco panels melt to the main 'bus bar'. As you see in the photo just above where there is a two-pole RC38-50 breaker set, some Zinsco or GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breakers and their toggle switches are solid black. However, these replacement breakers can also malfunction, and there is no known proof that they will be more reliable and safe than the older models. After hundreds of similar incidents, it was found that Zinsco panels were to blame for frequent electrical shocks, short circuits, and fires. 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. This site includes photos of what happens if an electrical panel fails. Frank Adams Electrical panels were installed in buildings in the U.S. roughly between 1900 and 1970. 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. 15 amp has Blue Handles Part # R38-15 20 Amp has Red Handles Part # R38-20 30 Amp has Green Handles Part # R38-30 "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. The half Size is R38 for 1 poles and RC38 for 2 poles. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. panel or performs further disassembly (DANGEROUS STEP) can further identify the characteristic circuit breaker details but the circuit breaker Or perhaps to reduce manufacturer liability, as :I have yet to meet an electrician who owns a torque wrench. A Zinsco panel is a good example of such an electrical panel. Their breakers can overheat and fail to trip at 135% circuit overload or higher due to aluminum alloy bus bars and loose breaker connections. We include photos of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment. 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. 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. this is the dryer outlet, and our dryer is a 24-amp appliance, so no problem there. Yes your electrical panel is indeed the Zinsco-Sylvania design, that we can see in both labeling and in the unique Zinsco breaker and bus design that shows deep slots into the breaker that slide over vertical edges of the bus bars in the electrical panel. 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. 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. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. The electrical panel is also tagged with the electrician's card, Jim Wise, owner, Wise Electric. I found it exceedingly helpful, and think it's worth sharing widely. Each handle works independently to save room in your panel. This website discusses the electrical, fire, and shock hazards associated with Zinsco electrical components, An interlock arrangement insures that the cam element can not be removed without the breaker being automatically tripped. Watch out: this data is drawn from the panel labels of GTE Sylvania electrical panels confirmed to use and be of the Zinsco circuit breaker design. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 46,700 home fires annually due to electrical failure or malfunction. No. 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. 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! Production of Zinsco panels halted in mid-1970s. 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. In 1973, GTE-Sylvania (same owners of Zinsco) introduced their own panel and breaker design. CONTACT Us with field reports and photos. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. History of the Challenger Panel. 225 amps max. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. And I would give strong consideration to replacing any panel that had. Infra-red scanning on a loaded breaker would be the best way to spot it. 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. Insurance companies have become increasingly cautious when signing insurance for older properties with FPE or Zinsco installed. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, Makes no sense to me how I could add a 30 amp breaker with this set up. If I were estimating an electrical panel age I would Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, We include photos of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment. 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, They may be the same design with a different sticker on top. 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. Pull the Breaker Out 4. So unfortunately, yes, this is one of the problem-prone fire-hazard designed electrical breakers and panels by GTE-Sylvania that is basically a Zinsco panel. c Production was halted when design flaws were discovered. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. Moderator comment: And there have never been any recalls initiated on the Zinsco products. Between the 1980's to the 1990's Challenger panels were installed in hundreds of thousands of homes. Experts report that Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) circuit breaker panels may have three major faults that could pose a danger: 1.) It turns out as I'm reading your article, you cite someone named James Simmons from Mr Electric. At least I am aware though. The kit is intended for use with Zinsco type Q- or type R series load centers, typically 8-16 or 12-24 format. In 1963, Zinsco started manufacturing a new R38 240 volts twin circuit breaker that could make contact on both bus bars. 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