The Sylvania panel can be found through the three names: GTE, Sylvania, or Zinsco. https://unicornsystems.eu/ I am wondering if you might take a quick glance and my photos and see if you think the same. The unique vertical thin-edged bus bars (aluminum, plated aluminum, or in older Zinsco panels copper bus bars (inside the panel accessed by a licensed electrician). 2, Type 1 Enclosure, 125A Max.. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, R38, RC38 & 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. But I would rather live in a house full of knob and tube than one of these panels. Don't be fooled by its lookalike counterparts; this panel is easily distinguishable with its pastel-colored breakers lined up in a single row. Use Z I N S C O QFP24 Circuit breaker LK-15, LK-15 or LK-22 for MAINS as indicated. The table below gives examples of some GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panel model numbers, Amps ratings, and circuit breaker codes. On 2021-08-30 Estimating Electrical Panel Age Here I'll post a closer-view excerpted from your photo. QC60 Zinsco Sylvania UBIZ260 2p 60a 120/240v Circuit Breaker NEW 1yr Warranty. Again you guys are great for helping out! 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, Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, Often the panel manufacture date is stamped on the panel labeling but not always and not in a consistent patterns. "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. c 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. You can use our electrical panel cost calculator to estimate the cost of installing a modern electrical load center. We are changing the panel Monday. 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 was skeptical, figuring he was trying to upsell me. Experts say that FPE panels produced during that . (Zinsco electrical panel photo below), 3. Electrical panel interior access should be by a licensed and trained electrician. 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. I have put them into a gallery here[link deleted] Or you might receive a grace period during which you need to change your electric panel. But it is by no means an exhaustive listing. Square D panel with following breakers 100A main breaker, 100A breaker, 50A 2 pole, 3 - 20 A single pole, 2- GFCI outlets attached to side. An electrical panel upgrade is the best option and can often be done in one or two days. As a result, this made their breakers extremely popular.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'homeinspectioninsider_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',835,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homeinspectioninsider_com-medrectangle-3-0'); In 1973, Zinsco was sold to GTE Sylvania. 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. 4. However, these dont seem any different from the original Zinsco panels. 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. The panel label specifically says to use Zinsco circuit breakers. The upper and lower "Do not Remove this K.O." 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. GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type Q, QC, QFP, R38, RC38, & HRGF. Production was halted when design flaws were discovered. I can't see enough to be sure; take a look at the Zinsco breakers and other Zinsco panel ID clues above on this page. 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. --- And if we combine that with the fact that they are old and outdated, this makes matters even worse. 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. this is the dryer outlet, and our dryer is a 24-amp appliance, so no problem there. Depending on the panel's amperage (150A or 200A panels will cost more), additional electrical upgrades may also be necessary. It's possible that the forensic engineer Dr Aronstein would be willing to do some testing on these breakers once you're finished replacing this panel. Turn Off the Power on All Circuits 2. Yes, this house is indeed in Fairfax. They have been receiving more claims related to such homes, so they are listed as a possible liability. Zinsco electrical panels are obsolete. 3. Their breakers can overheat and fail to trip at 135% circuit overload or higher due to aluminum alloy bus bars and loose breaker connections. This is a detail unique to Zinsco circuit breakers and panels even when marketed under other trade names. 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. Use Zinsco circuit breakers type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. Kosup, Russell R. MULTIPLE CAPACITY CIRCUIT BREAKER [PDF] U.S. Patent 4,187,482, issued February 5, 1980. Once I found your website we started to take a different path. The Zinsco circuit breakers, particularly R38 breakers, a two-pole breaker that takes up one breaker slot, have a high failure rate. However, when looking into the safety of your electrical panel, it's important to look beyond . Zinsco type Q, Qc, QCN, Q24, Cat. 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. It's easy and unmistakable. [Click to enlarge any image]. by Unicorn electrical products? - Vertical or "on edge" electrical panel bus bars identify a Zinsco design. see IDENTIFY ZINSCO SYLVANIA METER BASE and see GTE-SYLVANIA-ZINSCO FAILURE MECHANISM, as well as ZINSCO FAILURE REPORTS. 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. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original. The unsafe electrical panels sold by Zinsco were prevalent between the 1960s and 1970s. I'll check with him. Below: more examples of labels found in GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panels. If this were my electrical panel I'd replace it. In addition, Zinsco panels typically have the logo at the top of the panel. But do not let yourself sound too frightened when talking with the electrician or the replacement price may go up. It is a 3 Pole 225A breaker and we would like to run 250MCM. This means the breaker can't ever trip, even when there's a short or overloaded circuit. Since Zinsco Sylvania panels are no longer manufactured, you will not find them in newer buildings. That would argue for an occurrence of the bus-connector defects and hazards we've described. Is this 100 amp breaker from 1965 a zinsco breaker? I am a layperson on this topic, but the design sure looks like the flawed Zinsco design. So, what breakers are compatible with Zinsco? REally appreciate your feedback(wow, and quick too!). Look for evidence that the panel is original, having been installed when the home was built and take that as the panel age toggle switch colors and unique labels should be sufficient for most inspectors and owners to identify this equipment. Can you assist with that? I expect your electrician to be able to confirm the design by removing the panel cover and noting the classic Zinsco bus details. We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors. When your electrician opens the access panel I'd much appreciate a high resolution photo of the circuit breaker, a photo of each label that we might read, and a photo of the bus design details - we expect it will match the Zinsco bus. Unfortunately, yes, that's a Zinsco-Sylvania panel design. At IDENTIFY SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS we describe other Sylvania brand electrical panels that do not use the Zinsco electrical panel bus and breaker design. 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. The switch unit is set by a plug-in cam, the angular position of the cam when it is inserted in the breaker operating the switch unit to selectively complete one or more of the shunt current paths. 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. certain Sylvania electrical panels and breakers which are in fact of the same product design and origin. 390-205-09 on a label which has the bottom left corner torn off. The peace of mind of having an upgraded panel is likely worth it. "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985. The on-edge, flat bus-bar connection is distinctive and so is easy to recognize. Ok got pix of the stickers -- will add the images. The kit is intended for use with Zinsco type Q- or type R series load centers, typically 8-16 or 12-24 format. GTE Sylvania Zinsco breaker & panel identification: How to Identify Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers. I'm looking for information on a Zinsco single-phase 400A, 240VAC panelboard with a DS-4564 designation. The panel in your photo looks as if it was intended to be used as a mains, and is not entirely safe from what I can see. The idea is good but why use a garbage design? GTE Sylvania Circuit Breakers Type QFP Watch out: you've got the electrical panel cover off completely. This invention relates to circuit breakers, and more particularly, to a breaker in which the rated current level is preset by a removable cam element. [Click to enlarge any image], 2. That would be useful additional information to document. 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 Arrows point to points of identification characteristic of Zinsco breakers. 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. Zinsco panels have certain components that contain aluminum. The bottom breaker on the top group of circuits will shut off powet to the bottom group of circuits. WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. The panel labels may identify it as "Sylvania", Sylvania-Zinsco, or GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco. Now required in the 2020 NEC, panel-level surge protection is key for critical circuits that power equipment in residential applications. The connection between the breakers and the bus bar, which provides power to the circuits, is not solid. Hello, Photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker burn up courtesy of Jeff Weissman. 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. 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. , so no problem there now required in the 2020 NEC, panel-level protection., 1980 unsafe electrical panels that do not let yourself sound too frightened when talking with the or... Replace it live in a house full of knob and tube than one picture of zinsco panel these.! 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Yourself sound too frightened when talking with the electrician or the replacement may! This makes matters even worse, 1980, though it was cited the..., photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Circuit breakers Type QFP Watch:. Identify Zinsco Sylvania panels are no longer manufactured, you will not find them in newer buildings breaker 1965... Got the electrical panel bus and breaker design breaker design not let yourself sound too frightened when talking with electrician! The safety of your electrical panel I 'd replace it which provides power to circuits. A Zinsco single-phase 400A, 240VAC panelboard with a DS-4564 designation photo of a recent GTE Sylvania Circuit Type... I 'm looking for information on a Zinsco breaker a Zinsco design use Zinsco... Is this 100 amp breaker from 1965 a Zinsco single-phase 400A, 240VAC panelboard with a designation.
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