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Are you a flip flopper? Zinsco Breaker and Bus Design

By Donald Hester

Home Inspector with NCW Home Inspections, LLC

April 19, 2013 11:18 PM

Are you a flip flopper? Zinsco Breaker and Bus Design Wenatchee and Chelan Building Inspection

Well if you have been following me you know that I am not a big fan of the Zinsco panels and breakers.

I have many reasons for this, one is it may just burn your house down. I know that seems a little strong but hey I did not design these things. And when you have a garbage design, I get to say so!

When I see a Zinsco panel during a home inspection I let my clients know that in my professional opinion that they should have it replaced.

So I thought I would talk about one of the brilliant design features of the Zinsco panel.

If you look at the bus design of the more popular Square D and Cutler Hammer panels the buses zig-zag so that when you put breakers in the breakers that are side by side are on different legs of the service.

This achieves two things. The breaker can be designed in a uniform manner and the inherent design of the bus will ensure that the breakers cannot be loaded on the same bus.

But with the Zinsco breaker you have to go in and flip flop the bus clip to ensure that the breaker is on one leg versus the other. If you do not do this then you could have a bunch of breakers on one leg next to each other. Then they could start to heat up and overload that bus/leg. In addition you have clip that better be tighten or you can have another point of failure.

Here is an example of two Zinsco breakers showing how the clips need to be to ensure that they are landing on opposite buses when next to each other.

So if you are not a good flip flopper you could be in for trouble.

The best thing to do is just replace the panel and then you do not have to worry about it.

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair

NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572

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Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Clint, Yeah they would need an electrician go through the dang thing, Heck why in my book. Just replace the darn thing and sleep better at night.

Apr 20, 2013 12:25 AM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Don, with just the right about of arcing those breakers weld themselves right to the bars and then they don't slide down any more:)

Apr 20, 2013 06:53 AM

Tom Jansson

Acuity Home Inspections - Chicago, IL

Chicago Area Home Inspector - InterNACHI Certified

Great post, Donald. I learned something today! I always knew the Zinscos were bad, but I thought it was because of loose clips/loose breakers/Arc Hazards. Didn't know about the wacky bus design, or how easy it is to have an unbalanced load. Thanks for posting!

Apr 20, 2013 08:44 AM

Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Charlie, That is true. Seen that one.

Tom, Thank you. There are special that is for sure.

Apr 20, 2013 10:08 AM

Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY

...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Donald: I am not an electrician but I can see what you are talking about here---I am suprised these panels are not outlawed? I have not seen anything like the Zinsco panels here so maybe they ARE outlawed here in NY. Are they commonly used? I will be so smart if and when I run into one of these babies---I will know what it means and none of my fellow agents will! Thanks for the info!

Apr 20, 2013 10:32 AM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Another great discussion Don. I don't know that I have seen a Zinsco panel, but I have read about them, from people like you!

Thanks for the education today.

Apr 20, 2013 11:00 AM

Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Paula, They were very common in many places and maybe not in yours. I think they are out in the west more than back east. You guys have the FPE, which we get also.

Jay, you are a lucky man not to have these things.

Apr 20, 2013 11:10 AM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I'm smiling at the "Red Adair" quote. Isn't he the Texas guy, who puts out oil well fires? If I remember correctly, it was his company that mainly put out the fires in the oil fields of Kuwait in 1990, when Saddam Hussein invaded and set them afire.

Apr 20, 2013 12:01 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I have not seen anything like the Zinsco panels - this is very interesting. If I see or hear of a Zinsco panel, I will be well informed.

Apr 20, 2013 12:09 PM

Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Myrl ,That is him, he was the famous "wildcat" well firefighter.

Joan, Thank you

Apr 20, 2013 12:35 PM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

This is never a bad idea to be this thorough. :)

Love and light,

Laura

Apr 20, 2013 01:19 PM

Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Laura, Thank you. You can imagine I am a fun one ;)

Apr 20, 2013 01:32 PM

Bruce Jolley

Keller Williams - South Jordan, UT

Thanks for sharing Don. Great post and I learned something today that I can pass on.

Apr 20, 2013 01:45 PM

Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Bruce, you are welcome and thank you very much.

Apr 20, 2013 01:58 PM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Last time I saw a Zinsco panel was over a year ago. Good info to know, if and wen I see another.

Apr 20, 2013 09:36 PM

Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Jim, From what I am reading they must not be out in your neck of the woods or very few.

Apr 20, 2013 11:31 PM

Fred Hernden, CMI

Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque area Master Inspector

I have not seen any Zinsco panels here. But I will be extra vigilant and now educated about the problems they present! Good info Don. Thanks!

Apr 20, 2013 11:35 PM

Rob Ernst

Certified Structure Inspector - Reno, NV

Reno, NV-775-410-4286 Inspector & Energy Auditor

I had one last week. The dead front was wedged into the lower cover and a hinge was broken off the door. I choose not to open it which is rare for me but the last thing I wanted was to be prying on the door with a screwdriver when one of the breakers fell out. I suggested a full evaluation including removal of the breakers. Good post.

Apr 21, 2013 12:23 AM

Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Fred, You are a lucky man ;)

Rob, probably a very good call.

Apr 21, 2013 12:39 AM

John J. Woods

Big Dog Press, LLC - Winder, GA

Going where no man has gone before - wouldn't you?

We (have) had a lot of Zinsco panels in older structures out here in California. Lived in two different places with them many years ago.

Apr 21, 2013 04:32 AM