Zinsco Panels

Originally Posted By: jpope
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Hey Dennis,


That panel certainly looks like a Zinsco but I notice that the sticker says Sylvania. I didn't know that any other manufacturers made that type of panel. I'm left to wonder if it has the same bad qualities as Zinsco.

Do you recall whether or not it had Zinsco breakers? Did you take any pictures without the dead front cover?


--
Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738

Originally Posted By: tallen
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Jeff,


I found this article about zinsco/sylvania



? I'm an electrical contractor in Seattle and have been in the contracting business since 1973. Started wiring houses in 1953. So I have a little bit of experience with a variety of electrical equipment.
? Regarding the Zinsco electrical panels, I offer the following comments:
? Originally made in Puerto Rico and installed in the 60's and 70's throughout the USA market. Lots of these are in both single family homes and multi family apartments and condos.

? Zinsco sold their manufacturing plants to Sylvania who then marketed them under the Sylvania brand until finally closing down.


? MAJOR PROBLEMS: We have found the breakers do not trip under normal over-load conditions. We have pumped up to 60 Amps into a 15 Amp breaker before it will trip. FIRE HAZARD!
We have found the buss bars are made of aluminum material and corrode quite easily. I have equated it to perhaps different levels of quality in the aluminum they used.
When these buss bars corrode they can present a real hazard and we have experienced the panels going in a "Melt Down" condition. MAJOR HAZARD!!
? CONCLUSIONS: Replace any Zinsco or Sylvania brand panels. They are a hazard.
Consider using the Cutler Hammer brand "CH" style. These are a little more expensive, but have all COPPER buss bars and offer a "Lifetime Guarantee" (free replacement of BRANCH circuit breakers)
Good Luck!![/u]


--
I have put the past behind me,
where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.

www.whiteglovehomeinspections.net

30 Oct 2003-- 29 Nov2005

Originally Posted By: jpope
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Thanks Todd. Can you give me the information as to where you found this info? I’d like to research it a bit further.



Jeff Pope


JPI Home Inspection Service


“At JPI, we’ll help you look better”


(661) 212-0738

Originally Posted By: dhoffman
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Jeff & Todd,


Thanks for the info exchange. I have heard the same but would like to have the references if you find them. There are a lot of these panels out there, unfortunately and they don't get better with age! ![icon_sad.gif](upload://nMBtKsE7kuDHGvTX96IWpBt1rTb.gif)


--
Dennis D. Hoffman
www.hoffmaninspections.com

Originally Posted By: tallen
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I ran across it on none other than Bob Villas site.


http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/42845.html


--
I have put the past behind me,
where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.

www.whiteglovehomeinspections.net

30 Oct 2003-- 29 Nov2005

Originally Posted By: jpope
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Cool, thanks Todd icon_biggrin.gif



Jeff Pope


JPI Home Inspection Service


“At JPI, we’ll help you look better”


(661) 212-0738

Originally Posted By: tallen
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Jeff,


I do not know for certain that it is a true statement as I could find no other info about it.We should ask Joe Tedesco I bet he nows the real skinny ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)


--
I have put the past behind me,
where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.

www.whiteglovehomeinspections.net

30 Oct 2003-- 29 Nov2005

Originally Posted By: jpope
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



simply take someone’s word for it, unless they are a well documented and/or published authority. However, I am ALWAYS open to information from almost any source to point me in a given direction.


So, again, thank you for the information.


--
Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738

Originally Posted By: tallen
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Jeff,


Have you been able to locate any more info on this matter?
I can't seem to find anything.Just a matter of time though ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)


--
I have put the past behind me,
where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.

www.whiteglovehomeinspections.net

30 Oct 2003-- 29 Nov2005

Originally Posted By: jpope
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Still looking . . .



Jeff Pope


JPI Home Inspection Service


“At JPI, we’ll help you look better”


(661) 212-0738

Originally Posted By: jtedesco
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Ladies and Gentlemen:


I searched for Zinsco history on Google and even sent an email to the person over on Bob Vila's site who seemed to have some good information related to your questions about Zinsco products. That email was just returned as being undeliverable! So I went to the next place here:

http://www.swgr.com/

![](upload://qdz6VY5on9OigyiQRkJtXzqxCLa.gif)

I sent this message:
Quote:
Dear Sirs:

Some people around the country are very concerned about the history of Zinsco molded case circuit breakers and their reported defects. Can you provide any information about these products. Are they safe?


ZINSCO
Molded Case Circuit Breakers
Report Date - 03/27/2004 07:26:18

22-4330 ZINSCO Q 20 20 2 240
22-1089 ZINSCO RC3840 TYPE 100 40 2 240


--
Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant

www.nachi.org/tedescobook.htm

Originally Posted By: jpope
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Thanks Joe, keep us posted.



Jeff Pope


JPI Home Inspection Service


“At JPI, we’ll help you look better”


(661) 212-0738

Originally Posted By: tallen
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Thanks Joe icon_biggrin.gif



I have put the past behind me,


where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.


www.whiteglovehomeinspections.net

30 Oct 2003-- 29 Nov2005

Originally Posted By: tallen
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Hey guys any word on this deal?



I have put the past behind me,


where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.


www.whiteglovehomeinspections.net

30 Oct 2003-- 29 Nov2005