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 [will] send pictures Sylvania Electrical Panel Catalog No. Concerns raised simply by inspection of your photos include. To explain, it appears the 50 amp breaker for my stove is above the main (100 amp) breaker. toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment. Is my panel safe - FPE. Watch out: your photo shows live voltage terminals exposed: don't touch or you can be shocked or killed. 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. Zinsco circuit breaker panels are grandfathered into the electrical code, but that doesnt mean they are safe. Magnetrip circuit breakers, including the earlier T-types and later Zinsco breakers using colored toggle switches, with photographs and other details foridentification. But other times not. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. Replacing a Zinsco breaker panel is often worth it, as the older panels can be unreliable and may not meet current safety codes. Zinsco panels have certain components that contain aluminum. It has Zinsco type rc38al circuit breaker in it. Also see the non-Zinsco design panels at IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS. Be the first to rate this post. Below is a Zinsco HQGF20 GFCI circuit breaker with a black toggle switch. 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. Book your home inspection today by calling 818-298-3405 7. Don't be fooled by its lookalike counterparts; this panel is easily distinguishable with its pastel-colored breakers lined up in a single row. We include photos of Zinsco breaker labels and other markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment. 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: Aluminum Enters the Picture. 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. ML12(12-24)C (Indoor) - Mod. We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. Thank you, On 2020-07-04 by (mod) Thanks! At IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS we describe other Sylvania brand electrical panels that do not use the Zinsco electrical panel bus and breaker design. In that photo I also circle characteristic light green GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco circuit breaker toggle switches. Above: Sylvania electrical panel Catalog No. So from a legal standpoint, they are considered okay. But Watch out: opening an electrical panel, if you touch what you shouldn't means dead Larry (or Dead Daniel if I do it). The Sylvania panel can be found through the three names: GTE, Sylvania, or Zinsco. In the case of Zinsco panels, the risks are well known. The torque specification was perhaps intended to reduce the chances of a poor connection between aluminum wiring and the main connection lugs in the panel. I happily agreed and thought it would be a great opportunity to test out my new GoPro 9 in the process. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. - and then look for remodeling and renovation dates on the panel and in the home's documentation. I'd indeed like to see photos of the breaker panel you cite, in total, its labels, its bus bar design and its breaker details and labels. 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. MOB20(20-40)C (Indoor) Mod.2, 225 AMPS Max. Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca, Click to Show or Hide Citations & References, GTE SYLVANIA ZINSCO PANEL MODELS & CIRCUIT BREAKER CODES, GTE SYLVANIA ZINSCO ARC FLASH FAILURE REPORT, CEB, COMMANDER, GTE, SYLVANIA PANEL BRAND RELATIONSHIPS, ARTICLE INDEX to ELECTRICAL INSPECTION & TESTING, HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION COURSES (Canada), HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION: HOME STUDY COURSES. Joe JRL Electric Supply said: MLB20(15-30)C Indoor 225A MAX. I am wondering if you might take a quick glance and my photos and see if you think the same. For example, the deep slot that cuts up into the side of Zinsco breakers and the "on-edge" bus bars are key details that will reliably identify Zinsco breakers and panels and can be easily seen in an electrical panel. Excerpts: For people who are too poor to make their homes safer by replacing questionable electrical equipment we suggest some initial or temporary hazard reduction measures: I was reading information on your website about Zinsco panels but I can't determine if my main panel and sub-panel inside the house are the affected panels. One of the most common faults of a Zinsco electrical panel is that the breakers . Use Zinsco circuit breakers type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. There is no specific information and stance from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (or CPSC). Continue readingat IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. It was also sold under the Kearney brand name. 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). Since Milbank still uses a Zinsco design breaker, prefer to keep them on my "do not buy" list. the circuit breaker colors and other external details permit the inspector to identify the problem Zinsco-design electrical panel bus and circuit breaker materials. Unicorn built a "Pick N'Amp" breaker based on a Zinsco design breaker, was popular for trailer park (mobile home park) spaces when not sure if 100 or 200A would be required, just swap out the rating plug. That's probably what you've got. No, Mary all of your photos were quite tiny, but nevertheless we reach the same conclusion: Also is there a place where I can research to find out if my panels were officially recalled? The panel label specifically says to use Zinsco circuit breakers. 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. LK-15 They were installed in millions of homes and commercial properties in North America. "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. Zinsco R38 This is a tandem 20 amp Circuit Breaker. [Click to enlarge any image] OPINION: The white sticker gives recommended torque settings for the main breaker wiring. The instructions say to use certain Zinsco breakers to replace the original ones. Production was halted when design flaws were discovered. Federal Pacific Electrical Panels, often known as FPE Stab Lok panels, are a type of electrical panel manufactured by Federal Pacific. Check the Breaker for Damage It's Best to Replace the Entire Panel Conclusion Ways to Remove a Zinsco Breaker No. Unfortunately, yes, that's a Zinsco-Sylvania panel design. as providing "information systems for the European energy industry and utilities. " MLB20(12-24)C (Indoor) Mod. We have an affiliate partnership with Networx. We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. 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. History of the Challenger Panel. I have personally experienced it over 20 times for overcurrent situations and about 5 times in fault current situations. The inside box is a Zinsco/Sylvania model number 20-5x (7-14). But in my OPINION this is an unsafe situation: it's not a great idea to include fire-kindling inside of an electrical panel! Below is a close-up of the bus connection end of a classic Zinsco circuit breaker - showing the difference between these devices. The younger Zinsmeyer took over the company from his father in 1943 and renamed it Zinsco. At least I am aware though. Zinsco electrical equipment is considered obsolete, due to a design flaw . There will usually be a label with the Zinsco logo on the panel. I would GREATLY VALUE your opinion. It appears that the present Unicorn Industries has nothing to do with the old meter base in your photo; the current Unicorn describes themselves: I am also wondering if my box is one of the hazardous ones. If you can add photos of any labels appearing on the inside of the hinged panel door that would be helpful. Identification photos of Frank Adam electrical panels are, and at HISTORY of ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS, @Unicorn electrical products?, by (mod) Zinsco Replacement Breakers Are Also Unsafe. Back in 2013 over at electriciantalk.com an electrician who was familiar with Unicorn Electrical products commented: However, when looking into the safety of your electrical panel, it's important to look beyond . Do not touch anything inside the panel. Cost to Replace a Zinsco-Sylvania Electrical Panel? But I would rather live in a house full of knob and tube than one of these panels. However, no inspector should ignore the numerous cases of Zinscos breakers going bad. There is no Zinsco electrical panel recall, despite overwhelming evidence of failures. Replacement is not, in this case, recommended. The bottom line is that having a Zinsco electrical panel can make . Watch out: removing and replacing circuit breakers or "exercising" them by turning them on and off can in some cases actually increase the risk of a future failure because of scoring of a plated panel bus bar or because some breaker brands such as FPE show an increased failure to trip after being switched on and off. To know with confidence what the breakers are in the panel an electrician will remove the cover, pull a breaker and compare it with the breaker designs illustrated as characteristic of Zinsco. 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Or killed renamed it Zinsco or CPSC ) OPINION: the white sticker gives recommended torque settings for the energy... Over the company from his father in 1943 and renamed it Zinsco panels, are a of! To include fire-kindling inside of the hinged panel door that would be a great idea to include inside! Safety Commission ( or CPSC ) equipment is considered obsolete, due to a design flaw are... Breaker panel is often worth it, as you like times in current...
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