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Zinsco
Electric Panels
Zinsco Electric Panels (some labeled Sylvania / Zinsco)
have not been manufactured in many years. Zinsco began manufacturing
electric panels in 1943 and was then sold to GTE-Sylvania in 1973. GTE
/ Sylvania manufactured the panels and components for a few more years.
Currently the line is discontinued. Most of them are “split-panels” and
do not have a single main service disconnect.
This feature alone should warrant a panel and possible
service upgrade.
At first look, the panels appear to be functioning
properly; however the circuit breakers (which may have been overheating
for a long time) may have bonded to the hot bus bar. The aluminum used
in the breakers and the hot bus bar may have melted into the plastic
components. Unfortunately this dangerous condition may not be visible
during a normal home inspection because the damaged area is behind the
circuit breaker.
Zinsco electrical equipment is considered obsolete and
possibly dangerous. The design flaw, which may cause the connection
between the breaker and the hot bus bar to become loose, could cause
arcing and overheating. The breaker may become welded to the bus bar
and unable to be removed.
There are replacement parts available, however most
electricians recommend the electric panel is replaced.
Even though a breaker has tripped and appears to be
off
it may still be sending electricity because of bonded and
melted internal parts. This is obviously a dangerous condition. So what should a home inspector be looking for?
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Any electric panel or sub-panel labeled “Zinsco”
or “Sylvania-Zinsco” or “GTE Sylvania” or “Kearney” should be closely examined for
overheating / arcing damage
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Look specifically where the breaker is connected
to the hot bus. This is where many of the failures have taken place.
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Never try to move a breaker, it may fall apart.
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Recommend to your client that these electric
panels may experience problems and should be evaluated and upgraded as
necessary by a licensed electrician.
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Use extreme caution because breakers that appear
to be off, may in fact have current flowing through them. You should definitely
inform your clients of this potentially dangerous condition.
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