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. Use GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, R38, RC38,and HRGF. This gray circuit breaker may have been installed in a GTE-Sylvania electrical panel but is breaker did not use the Zinsco-design circuit breakers and/or may be of a different brand or manufacture. c These are also called cheater breakers. 7. On 2021-08-30 Please see ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY for more detailed help in answering your question. But watch out: there are surely plenty of other GTE panels that are a completely different design and don't have the GTE-Sylvania panel issues. circuit breakers are characteristic of Zinsco-design breakers. Model# is MT12MBB and House was built in 1977 in San Mateo County, California, USA. Zinsco or Zinsco-Sylvania is the name given to a brand of electrical panel that was commonly installed up to the mid-1970's. It was a very popular product and installed throughout North America. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. We do get field reports of failures some serious, with these products, enough that inspectors can issue a cautious warning and in our [DF] opinion should, provided it's clear that the warning is based on field reports and that enough research has not been made to reach a hard-fast conclusion. Below is an enlargement of the the bus-connection section of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. MLB20(15-30)C Indoor 225A MAX. Never insert any tool nor your fingers into the interior of an electrical panel. Experts say that FPE panels produced during that . Bottom lien: 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. Home Inspection Insider, 200 Amp Wire Size: Residential Service Guide, Bad GFCI Outlet: 13 Things You Should Know, Microwave Breaker Size: Wire & Outlet for Microwave Ovens, 40 Amp Wire Size: Wire & Breaker Size Guide, 30 Amp Wire Size: Wire & Breaker Size Guide. Why Do Zinsco Panels Malfunction? Even if you replace the circuit breakers, the risk from the panel itself will still be present. History of the Challenger Panel. REally appreciate your feedback(wow, and quick too!). Depending on the panel's amperage (150A or 200A panels will cost more), additional electrical upgrades may also be necessary. 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. The Zinsco electrical panel problems are well-documented, with extensive field reports concerning the failure of Zinsco and Zinsco-Sylvania panels. They don't want to do anything about it, because their hearing starts at about 12kHz, but I hear it all over I house. The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco. 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. Production of Zinsco panels halted in mid-1970s. 1. On 2021-08-21 (Zinsco electrical panel photo below), 3. Use Z I N S C O QFP24 Circuit breaker LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAINS as indicated. single pole, yellow handle. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Zinsco 100 or 125 amp residential Dead Front cover Sylvania GTE. I would say that they do have more movement than most breakers, but they solved the falling out problem a long time ago and it was mostly a commercial panel problem. It was also sold under the Kearney brand name. The word Magnetrip embossed in the steel electrical panel cover or on data tags in the Zinsco electrical panel. 15 amp has Blue Handles Part # R38-15 20 Amp has Red Handles Part # R38-20 30 Amp has Green Handles Part # R38-30 Or perhaps to reduce manufacturer liability, as :I have yet to meet an electrician who owns a torque wrench. He's doing a great job. Above is an example, a Zinsco R38 Tandem circuit breaker sporting light blue toggle switches. I think that isfairly common around here. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. An easily corroded bus bar. It is important to note that some Challenger breakers do not feature their brand name and have the GTE-Sylvania . Today Zinsco electrical panels are deemed outdated and a significant electrical hazard. The Zinsco company was sold to GTE-Sylvania in 1973, which continued to manufacture the Zinsco panel design under the name of Sylvania-Zinsco. They can still overheat and fail to trip after a small overload. At IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS we describe other Sylvania brand electrical panels that do not use the Zinsco electrical panel bus and breaker design. 2, Type 1 Enclosure, 125A Max.. Excerpts: Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. 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. Discussed: GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels that used Zinsco circuit breakers and bus design & may involve similar electrical panel failures and safety concerns as Zinsco. 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. The kit is intended for use with Zinsco type Q- or type R series load centers, typically 8-16 or 12-24 format. 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. 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. Still, if your electrical panel uses the circuit breakers listed here it may be a Zinsco design. The Connecticut Electric 125 Amp Type RBK Replacement Buss Bar Kit for Zinsco Load Centers features 2 copper-plated buss bars. Not sure what amp panel I have either - looks like maybe 150 amp. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF There were problems found with our air handlers and they were wondering if that is what caused this Ark. panel or performs further disassembly (DANGER) can further identify the characteristic circuit breaker details but the circuit breaker Rating with LK-15 150 Amps, LK22 225 AMP. No. Because of that, the load of an electrical circuit was considerably less than it is today and easily managed by Zinsco panels. Mary Here's the average pricing of electrical panels depending on amps: 100 amps - $800 to $1,200. Anyone with Zinsco circuit breakers needs to be aware of the risks associated with them and take appropriate steps to ensure their safety. Brief History of Zinsco Emile Zinsmeyer started Zinsmeyer Co right after the stock market crash of 1929. Research is underway. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. No votes so far! Below right: a badly faded Sylvania electrical panel sticker. Some Sylvania brand electrical panels are essentially a "Zinsco in Sylvania's clothing". "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850. IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. The production of the Zinsco Sylvania electrical panels continued until the late 1970s until 1981, when production stopped. Can you assist with that? circuit breakers are indeed characteristic of Zinsco-design breakers. The following remarks from a licensed electrician were provided to us courtesy of Al Carson, Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection and home inspection education firm. 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. On the other hand, most other panels are usually black and arranged in two rows. It appears that the present Unicorn Industries has nothing to do with the old meter base in your photo; the current Unicorn describes themselves: They can't hear anything, but you can clearly see a very loud sound at about 15 kHz. But other times not. The Challenger panel was installed in thousands of homes between 1980s to 1990s. "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. https://unicornsystems.eu/ I'd be grateful if you'd post your photo and question there. (Don't try it.). Check the photos and identification points on the page above and don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions as needed. That would argue for an occurrence of the bus-connector defects and hazards we've described. 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. Zinsco breakers were frequently labeled with the name Zinsco Magnetrip breakers. Identification photos of Frank Adam electrical panels are, and at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS, @Unicorn electrical products?, Hopefully you can help. Now required in the 2020 NEC, panel-level surge protection is key for critical circuits that power equipment in residential applications. MLB20(12-24)C (Indoor) Mod. "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. 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. For example we often find burned breaker-to-bus connections that are not visible until the breakers have been removed. SKU:I37023078. WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board. 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. Challenger panels made by Challenger Electrical Equipment Corp or Eaton/Cutler Hammer. Get Free estimates from licensed electricians in your area today. 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. 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. at BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS The new buyer labeled his company Challenger Electric. Thank you for all the information - I don't think this is a Zinsco panel, but would you be able to confirm? I've been conducting professional home inspections since 2002. Hello, 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.
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