We have published articles on these other panels in part to solicit field reports & research information. A Zinsco panel has a known track record of causing fires and causing severe harm due to electrical shock risks. 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 Is my panel safe - FPE. But Watch out: opening an electrical panel, if you touch what you shouldn't means dead Larry (or Dead Daniel if I do it). Sometimes that's true. - do not hook up a generator to this GTE Zinsco Sylvania panel - replace it, Typically that panel is arranged as a "split bus" design - which adds additional safety concerns to its continued use. 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. They have a reputation as the breaker which doesnt trip. 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. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. 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. Q242 [illegible] and continues, stating, Z I N S C O QFP24 LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAIN. Infra-red scanning on a loaded breaker would be the best way to spot it. Depending on the panels amperage (150A or 200A panels will cost more), additional electrical upgrades may also be necessary. Still, if your electrical panel uses the circuit breakers listed here it may be a Zinsco design. Be sure to also read HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS. They have a stigma similar to Federal Pacific as being "outlawed" for. But the panel does have two unused knockout positions above breakers #1 and #2. The table below gives examples of some GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel model numbers, Amps ratings, and circuit breaker codes. 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. Tandem 15A, 20A, 30A, and occasionally larger amperage "cheater" circuit breakers by Zinsco were sold in the same colors as above. Hopefully you can help. Even if you replace the circuit breakers, the risk from the panel itself will still be present. Also see the non-Zinsco design panels at IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS. The peace of mind of having an upgraded panel is likely worth it. An easily corroded bus bar. 40 A - Light Gray Toggle Handle Part # RC38-40, 50A - Black Toggles, Part # RC38-50 - shown above, 60A - White Toggle or handle, Part # RC38-60 (not shown in the photo above). 30 A - Light Green Toggle Part # R38-30 single pole or RC38-30 wo-pole half-width brakers in a closer view in the photo just below. The bottom line is that having a Zinsco electrical panel can make . But There is no specific information and stance from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (or CPSC). But other times not. 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. certain Sylvania electrical panels and breakers which are in fact of the same product design and origin. Book your home inspection today by calling 818-298-3405 undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). I was skeptical, figuring he was trying to upsell me. Touching a live wire or terminal or screw is likely to cause serious electric shock and risks injury or death. unused, Condition:: New: A brand-new. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type QFP and I am watching carefully Challenger as well as the others you name. Ways to Remove a Zinsco Breaker Prepare the Following Tools 1. or LK-22 Lug Block for Mains w/ LK-15 - 150 Amps; I will do another post with another picture. This panel, in photos above, uses a Zinsco type bus design. The photo above shows the distinctive operating handle on the door of this Zinsco electrical panel. Therefore, we urge homeowners to consider replacing Zinsco panels. Excerpts: Zinsco breakers are known to not trip in the presence of overcurrent or short circuits. Federal Pacific Electrical Panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, are a type of electrical panel manufactured by Federal Pacific. [Click to enlarge any image] At least I am aware though. Schedule online today and get an additional 10% off of your trip charge! I am wondering if there is a way to tell if this is a Zinsco brand. Watch out: do NOT try to open up your panel nor to remove circuit breakers yourself. Most of the Zinsco electrical panels and circuit breakers were installed in the 1960s and 1970s. 3. 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. Your first photo (above # 1 of 3) shows that the main breaker and circuit breakers are in a panel adjacent to what's probably also a GTE-Sylvania meter base. Sean. Continue readingat IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. There were problems found with our air handlers and they were wondering if that is what caused this Ark. That's probably what you've got. 2, 225 AMPS Max. by Unicorn electrical products? 2, 225AMPS Max. 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. . Is this 100 amp breaker from 1965 a zinsco breaker? I am also wondering if my box is one of the hazardous ones. "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. The upper and lower "Do not Remove this K.O." Use Z I N S C O QFP24 Circuit breaker LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAINS as indicated. Those red and light blue (?) Try posting a larger photo of that detail. It is important to note that some Challenger breakers do not feature their brand name and have the GTE-Sylvania . To identify a Zinsco panel, look for a vertical line of color-coded circuit breaker handles down the middle of the electrical box. I'll check with him. Below is a close-up of the bus connection end of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. It is also the panel which had several 100 ampere main breaker fails which led to fires. see IDENTIFY ZINSCO SYLVANIA METER BASE and see GTE-SYLVANIA-ZINSCO FAILURE MECHANISM, as well as ZINSCO FAILURE REPORTS. 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. The following panels are considered out of date or have been involved in an electrical panel recall: Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok panels. 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. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Zinsco 100 or 125 amp residential Dead Front cover Sylvania GTE. @Robert shaner, And if we combine that with the fact that they are old and outdated, this makes matters even worse. Notice those two vertical strips that connect to two deep slots in the circuit breaker? I also Googled Images for Federal Pacific Electric Panels, and the photos of burned out panels were horrifying. I have an MLB20 (15-30)C indoor mod 2 breaker box, is this prone to problems? - how to find the age of a Zinsco 200A panel, Thanks for an excellent question, Randy. Here I'll post a closer-view excerpted from your photo. Just below, the photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker burn-up is shown here courtesy of Jeff Weissman and observed, he reports, in a GTE-Sylvania electrical panel. Thanks again for your help and eagle eyes! ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. It's a zinsco enclosed 200 amp issue no. Use Zinsco circuit breakers type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. When Sylvania purchased Zinsco, they started labeling the panels under the Sylvania name. 3. Sean [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original. Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, It drops a dead short across the circuit and measures trip current and time to trip. 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. Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca, Click to Show or Hide Citations & References, Magnatrip & Other Zinsco Electrical Panels & Circuit Breakers, ARTICLE INDEX to ELECTRICAL INSPECTION & TESTING, HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION COURSES (Canada), HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION: HOME STUDY COURSES. 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. We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors. I am always very careful what I say as many people quickly jump to conclusions that I am upselling or Fear marketing. That identifies this as a Zinsco design. Often the panel manufacture date is stamped on the panel labeling but not always and not in a consistent patterns. "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985. 5. at the best online prices at eBay! 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, IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. Photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker burn up courtesy of Jeff Weissman. Why GFCI Outlets have a Blinking Red Light? 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. 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. The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco, but Makes no sense to me how I could add a 30 amp breaker with this set up. Replacing the panel can help improve the electrical systems overall performance and ensure it functions correctly. Thank you, On 2020-07-04 by (mod) Why they're unsafe: The circuit breakers inside many Zinsco panels melt to the main 'bus bar'. 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. Zinsco is considered unsafe and a serious fire hazard without being officially recognized by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). 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. I have a buyer that wants me to put in a new panel because it might be. 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. 160. If you have either Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels installed in your home, it is highly recommended to have one of our licensed electricians out to your home for evaluation.We will inspect your electrical panel for FREE. 390-205-09 on a label which has the bottom left corner torn off. Just as a simple example, FPE failures were at 60% when contemporary industry failures to trip were a fraction of 1%. "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. It's probably a 15A Zinsco tandem circuit breaker. Zinsco or GTE-Sylvania panels were popular electrical panels installed in homes throughout the 1970s. Will a Zinsco Electrical Panel Pass Inspection? 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. 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. Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. 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. 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