GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF There are inherent problems in the bus bars of the panel and the materials used for their manufacturing. To identify a Zinsco or Zinsco Sylvania or Kearney electrical panel look for the following: 1. Above is an example, a Zinsco R38 Tandem circuit breaker sporting light blue toggle switches. Why GFCI Outlets have a Blinking Red Light? Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. 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. 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. It's easy and unmistakable. An easily corroded bus bar. Since Zinsco Sylvania panels are no longer manufactured, you will not find them in newer buildings. Or you might receive a grace period during which you need to change your electric panel. 4. This was used as a temp panel for 3 months on a job. I happily agreed and thought it would be a great opportunity to test out my new GoPro 9 in the process. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. 240V 3 PH LONG 15 3/4 WIDE 27 3/4 $300.00 $102.65 shipping Even the newer Sylvania Zinsco panels will be at least 40 years old. Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel. 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, Sometimes that's true. Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel. My Missouri home was built in 1978. US $134. Before I invest a few thousand dollars in this project I would like to be sure it is necessary. Proceed to complete the identification your panel by having its main bus design examined by your electrician. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. Depending on the panel's amperage (150A or 200A panels will cost more), additional electrical upgrades may also be necessary. Note the panel style and construction details and then see unused, Condition:: New: A brand-new. The average cost of replacing a Zinsco service panel is $1,600 to $4,000. Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. Like Zinsco, it brought safety hazards and was recalled. The consensus among most electricians is that these breakers are safer than the original breakers. IDENTIFY ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. Arrows point to points of identification characteristic of Zinsco breakers. Sean. It turns out as I'm reading your article, you cite someone named James Simmons from Mr Electric. The younger Zinsmeyer took over the company from his father in 1943 and renamed it Zinsco. The word Zinsco on the panel door tag, on panel labels or data tags (Zinsco panel label photo above). Brief History of Zinsco Emile Zinsmeyer started Zinsmeyer Co right after the stock market crash of 1929. Do not touch anything inside the panel. We include photos of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment. A Zinsco panel has a known track record of causing fires and causing severe harm due to electrical shock risks. MLB20(15-30)C Indoor 225A MAX. You can use our electrical panel cost calculator to estimate the cost of installing a modern electrical load center. Zinsco is considered unsafe and a serious fire hazard without being officially recognized by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). It would be prudent to replace it. at BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS They were once a popular product to have installed in homes. Between the 1980's to the 1990's Challenger panels were installed in hundreds of thousands of homes. It would have top be purchased used only. Actually that top component labeled "Main" looks like it could even be a fuse pull-out. 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. Is my panel safe - FPE. 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 Continue readingat IDENTIFY ZINSCO SYLVANIA METER BASE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. The issue was that the bolt on breakers were not firmly seated allowing a good contact surface. An expert who opens the electrical 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. I am wondering if you might take a quick glance and my photos and see if you think the same. circuit breakers are characteristic of Zinsco-design breakers. Please see ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY for more detailed help in answering your question. Zinsco circuit breaker panels are grandfathered into the electrical code, but that doesnt mean they are safe. - Anonymous by private email 2019/01/30. I have a buyer that wants me to put in a new panel because it might be. Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. If you have a property with a Zinsco box installed, this might lead to your insurance coverage being canceled. Zinsco panels are known for being unsafe, as they are prone to overheating and arcing. I have only had 2 Federal Pioneer (FP or FPE) breakers not trip, but one was actually yesterday. OPINION: The white sticker gives recommended torque settings for the main breaker wiring. Sylvania electrical panel Catalog No. Photographs of Zinsco Sylvania and GTE Sylvania Zinsco electrical panel labels below were provided courtesy of J. P. Simmons. Home inspectors often call out the dangers of a Zinsco style panel during a home inspection. Your electrician agrees that the circuit breakers are a latent hazard - risking failing to protect your home from a fire or injury should an over-current hazard occur, so he or she recommended replacement. Apologies for the delay. Here (above and below) we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panel. I'm looking for the AIC rating of the big double throw AC cutoff switch on the front. Panel info: 20-5X(10-20) C Mod. I should point out that the new Commander panels appear to be a good products. US $19.5 Free shipping for many products Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1 Zinsco Rc38-15 RC3815 15 Amp 2 Pole Tandem Twin Circuit Breaker 120/240 VAC at the best online prices at . Depending on the panels amperage (150A or 200A panels will cost more), additional electrical upgrades may also be necessary. Instead the generator is connected to the panel THROUGH a transfer switch - an "either-or" type switch that makes certain that both power systems are not ever turned on simultaneously. Model# is MT12MBB and House was built in 1977 in San Mateo County, California, USA. 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. 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. Continue readingat IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. Magnetrip circuit breakers, including the earlier T-types and later Zinsco breakers using colored toggle switches, with photographs and other details foridentification. Questions & answers about the identification of Zinsco, Sylvania-Zinsco, and Kearney Electrical Panels - Zinsco-look alike Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. Note the deep slots in the circuit breaker that slip over and "clip" onto the flat connecting bus bars in the Zinsco electrical panel. But in my OPINION this is an unsafe situation: it's not a great idea to include fire-kindling inside of an electrical panel! It showed that the central ZINSCO panel and circuit breaker failure problems stem from burn-ups at those clip-to-bus connections. However, no inspector should ignore the numerous cases of Zinscos breakers going bad. - I want to add a 30 amp breaker to the panel to add a portable generator. Thank you for all the information - I don't think this is a Zinsco panel, but would you be able to confirm? 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 I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. This site includes photos of what happens if an electrical panel fails. 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. One of my staff accidentally cut the wrong wire. 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. 2, 225AMPS Max. Those red and light blue (?) Mary 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. . It seems that the problems stem from aluminum parts within the panel. I found it exceedingly helpful, and think it's worth sharing widely. Production was halted when design flaws were discovered. Zinsco R38 This is a tandem 20 amp Circuit Breaker. Federal Pacific Electrical Panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, are a type of electrical panel manufactured by Federal Pacific. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. Another Zinsco variation . 1. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. Today Zinsco electrical panels are deemed outdated and a significant electrical hazard. by (mod) as providing "information systems for the European energy industry and utilities. " 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. 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. 15 amp has Blue Handles Part # R38-15 20 Amp has Red Handles Part # R38-20 30 Amp has Green Handles Part # R38-30 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. It began in 2012. - Anonymous (pending author wish to be identified) to A.C. to D.F. The table below gives examples of some GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel model numbers, Amps ratings, and circuit breaker codes. 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. 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