ZINSCO electrical panels/breakers
The Zinsco panel has major problems. The blade type bus bars were made using an aluminum alloy and tend to corrode, burn, and deteriorate where the breakers attach with a clip. The breakers fail to lock securely onto the bus bar and this allows the breaker to move and slide around. This increased resistance causes heat, and sometimes fire. If you find a Zinsco panel in your inspection, grab several breakers and feel how loose they are while the front cover is still attached. After removing the front cover and performing your inspection, replacing the front cover may be a little difficult if the breakers are slipping on the bus bars. Document these findings on your report. Attached is a brief document regarding Zinsco:Posted by R. B. White on April 12, 2001. • 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 • Regarding the Zinsco electrical panels, I offer the following comments: • Originally made in Puerto Rico and installed in the 60's and 70's throughout the USA market.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!!
your home inspector was right to call your attention to the fire hazards that accompany amateur wiring, and unfortunately Zinsco circuit breakers the sad (or scary) fact is that these breakers fail to do their job ,IE opening the circuit when there is an overload or even a direct short circuit they are so ineffective that they are very often the secondary cause of many electrically caused home fires.
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