The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco, but 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. On 2021-08-21 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. The replacements for zinsco do not make the 35 amp any more. Thank you, On 2020-07-04 by (mod) Don't be fooled by its lookalike counterparts; this panel is easily distinguishable with its pastel-colored breakers lined up in a single row. That identifies this as a Zinsco design. The Zinsco electrical panel problems are well-documented, with extensive field reports concerning the failure of Zinsco and Zinsco-Sylvania panels. Replacing a Zinsco breaker panel is often worth it, as the older panels can be unreliable and may not meet current safety codes. In addition, Zinsco panels typically have the logo at the top of the panel. The word Magnetrip embossed in the steel electrical panel cover or on data tags in the Zinsco electrical panel. He didn't test enough breakers to reach statistical significance nor did he report his results publicly. They can still overheat and fail to trip after a small overload. 20 A - Red Toggle Part # R38-20 or RC38-20 double pole. The first Zinsco panels and breakers- labeled "Magnatrip"- (patent issued in 1950) had copper bus-bars and breaker clips. 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. Mary In any case, I would replace this electrical panel. 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. They were installed in millions of homes and commercial properties in North America. Above is an example, a Zinsco R38 Tandem circuit breaker sporting light blue toggle switches. This panel, in photos above, uses a Zinsco type bus design. I think that isfairly common around here. But the design was eventually discontinued, and later Sylvania panels do not have the problematic Zinsco design. These are just as prone to safety issues and frequent malfunctions. Schedule online today and get an additional 10% off of your trip charge! I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. I see it's in Fairfax Virginia (my home for many years) and I'm guessing from the electrical inspector's tag that the home or at least the panel is from 1976. He was recommended to me by a friend who's in contracting locally. An electrical panel upgrade is the best option and can often be done in one or two days. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. Even if you replace the circuit breakers, the risk from the panel itself will still be present. Understanding the Zinsco failure mechanism is pertinent and is discussed in this article series. "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40. This is contrary to other breakers that are in two rows and black colored. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. Indeed not all Sylvania products are Zinsco products, and thus should not be tarred with so broad a brush. 7. Zinsco circuit breaker & electrical panel identification guide: How to Identify Zinsco & Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. 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. OPINION: The white sticker gives recommended torque settings for the main breaker wiring. Identification photos of Frank Adam electrical panels are, and at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS, @Unicorn electrical products?, - Anonymous by private email 2019/01/30. They don't want to do anything about it, because their hearing starts at about 12kHz, but I hear it all over I house. 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. Zinsco panels have certain components that contain aluminum. It does day Sylvania and has what I assume is the model number: This Zinsco-Sylvania-GTE electrical panel label specifies. Look for an electrical inspector's stamp of approval of the installation - those, if present, are dated and signed. 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. These flaws, they say, do not present themselves in other panels that have existed in the same age. It showed that the central ZINSCO panel and circuit breaker failure problems stem from burn-ups at those clip-to-bus connections. 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. They were once a popular product to have installed in homes. Since Zinsco Sylvania panels are no longer manufactured, you will not find them in newer buildings. 4. If the panel you describe is of the classic Zinsco design described in these pages there is risk of breaker-bus arcing and the other hazards described for Zinsco. In the third photo above I mark with red arrows the distinctive deep notches into the side of a Zinsco-design circuit breaker and the vertical or on-edge aluminum bus bars to which the breaker clips. Be the first to rate this post. Here (above and below) we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panel. 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. 200 amps - $1,300 to $2,600. Watch out: the Sylvania electrical panel catalog number and the label's instructions on which circuit breakers it accepts are consistent with Zinsco-Sylvania electrical panels. And there have never been any recalls initiated on the Zinsco products. We are changing the panel Monday. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. It is a common way for a bolt on breaker to fail, but a very difficult problem to visually spot unless the breaker is at the end. 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. I expect your electrician to be able to confirm the design by removing the panel cover and noting the classic Zinsco bus details. www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572. . It has Zinsco type rc38al circuit breaker in it. This GTE Sylvania Zinsco panel label states. Get Free estimates from licensed electricians in your area today. Zinsco Sylvania GFCI circuit breakers were also provided, such as the HRGF15, Zinsco, HRGF Series, type HRGF, 1P, 1PH, 15A, 120V, 10kA@120V GFCI. 225 amps max. as providing "information systems for the European energy industry and utilities. " Most of the Zinsco electrical panels and circuit breakers were installed in the 1960s and 1970s. But I would rather live in a house full of knob and tube than one of these panels. So from a legal standpoint, they are considered okay. Some of these design flaws include: Easy corrosion of the bus bar 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. Original breakers were patented in 1950 and labeled "Magnatrip." Five additional patents would be issued for subsequent designs. 2, Type 1 Enclosure, 125A Max.. 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. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. 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. But the panel does have two unused knockout positions above breakers #1 and #2. Join. It is from 1975. Look for evidence that the panel is original, having been installed when the home was built and take that as the panel age Q242 [illegible] and continues, stating, Z I N S C O QFP24 LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAIN. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, Zinsco panels may not meet today's updated safety codes. 3057. Hi all what about unicorn electrical products? 20 March 2015. Sylvania electrical panel Catalog No. 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 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. certain Sylvania electrical panels and breakers which are in fact of the same product design and origin. Do not touch anything inside the panel. We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors. 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. Zinsco is now defunct, but many homes still have these panels. 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. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. Still, if your electrical panel uses the circuit breakers listed here it may be a Zinsco design. . Zinsco electric panels jolley1859 1.6K views 2 years ago How to Upgrade an Electric Meter to 200-Amp Service (Part 1) | This Old House This Old House 2.7M views 8 years ago Hack for AFCI_GFCI. It appears that the present Unicorn Industries has nothing to do with the old meter base in your photo; the current Unicorn describes themselves: There are inherent problems in the bus bars of the panel and the materials used for their manufacturing. What Is A Zinsco Panel And Why Should I Care? - Editor. Aluminum has a useful life of approximately 30 years. Does the home you are buying have a Zinsco panel? I'm looking for information on a Zinsco single-phase 400A, 240VAC panelboard with a DS-4564 designation. At least I am aware though. I have a buyer that wants me to put in a new panel because it might be. Never insert any tool nor your fingers into the interior of an electrical panel. SKU:SK5261622. An electrician needs to look with care at this panel for any immediate safety hazards, pending its replacement. (Zinsco electrical panel photo below), 3. They can't hear anything, but you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15 kHz. "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. Watch out: replacement circuit breakers that have been tested for these problem brands have generally performed no better than the originals. Below ) we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical label... 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