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ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR

ACCURACY vs PRECISION of MEASUREMENTS
AFCIs ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS
ALUMINUM SECs & WIRING
ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS & REPAIRS
AMPS & VOLTS DETERMINATION
AMPACITY - the LIMITING FACTOR
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS

BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS
BOOKSTORE - ELECTRICAL
BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE

Cadet & Encore Heater Recall
CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILURE
CIRCUIT BREAKER SIZE for A/C or HEAT PUMP
Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING
CIRCUIT BREAKER SIZE for A/C or HEAT PUMP
Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING
CONDUIT, ELECTRICAL
CORROSION in ELECTRICAL PANELS
CORROSION & MOISTURE SOURCES in PANELS
CUTLER HAMMER PANEL FIRE

DEFINITIONS of ELECTRICAL TERMS
DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS
DMM Digital Multimeter, How to Use

ELECTRIC HEAT
ELECTRIC METERS & METER BASES
ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY
ELECTRIC PANEL INSPECTION
ELECTRIC PANEL MOISTURE
Electric Power Frequency Table
ELECTRICAL BASICS
EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS
ELECTRICAL GENERATORS
ELECTRICAL GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION
ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings

FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARDS
FIRE SAFETY Checklist, CPSC

GENERATORS, ELECTRICAL
GFCI PROTECTION,Testing GFCIs AFCIs

HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEAT, ELECTRIC
KNOB & TUBE WIRING
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
LOW VOLTAGE BUILDING WIRING
LOW VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER TEST

MAIN DISCONNECT
MAIN DISCONNECT AMPACITY
MULTI-WIRE CIRCUITS
PUSHMATIC - BULLDOG PANELS
RUST in ELECTRICAL PANELS
SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS
SE CABLE SIZES vs AMPS
SQUARE-D RECALLS

UNDERGROUND SERVICE LATERALS
VOLTS / AMPS MEASUREMENT EQUIP

WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING

ZINSCO SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS

More Information

Zinsco Sylvania GTE identifying Label (C) J Simmons D Friedman How to Identify Zinsco & GTE Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels & Circuit Breakers
     

  • How to Identify Zinsco & Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers
    • How to Identify Zinsco-like Sylvania Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers
    • Magnetrip circuit breakers - photogarphs, identification
    • Photos of labels and markings that identify Zinsco and Kearney electrical equipment
  • Questions & answers about the identification of Zinsco, Sylvaniz-Zinsco, and Kearney Electrical Panels - Zinsco-look alike Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers
  • Questions & Answers about Zinsco & Zinsco-Sylvania electric panels & circuit breakers
  • References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

  • ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR - home
  • ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS & REPAIRS
  • Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING
  • CORROSION in ELECTRICAL PANELS
  • DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS
  • DMM Digital Multimeter, How to Use
  • ELECTRIC PANEL INSPECTION
  • FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARDS
  • GFCI PROTECTION,Testing GFCIs AFCIs
  • MAIN DISCONNECT
  • MURRAY SIEMENS Recall
  • OLD HOUSE ELECTRICAL WIRING
  • PUSHMATIC - BULLDOG PANELS
  • SIEMENS MURRAY Recall
  • SQUARE-D RECALLS
  • TEST EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL
  • VOLTAGE DETECTION & MEASUREMENT
  • ZINSCO SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS
    • IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS
    • IDENTIFY KEARNEY PANELS
    • IDENTIFY ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS
    • IDENTIFY ZINSCO SYLVANIA METER BASE
    • GTE-SYLVANIA-ZINSCO FAILURE MECHANISM
    • ZINSCO FAILURE REPORTS
    • ZINSCO OVERHEAT IR PHOTOS
    • ZINSCO FAILURE REPORT PROCEDURE
    • ZINSCO REPLACEMENT PANELS
    • ZINSCO REPLACEMENT PANEL COSTS
    • ZINSCO SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
    • ZINSCO SUMMARY PAGE for Reproduction
    • ZINSCO WARRANTY & CONTACT INFO
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Zinsco circuit breaker & electrical panel identification guide: here we provide text, labels, and equipment photographs used to help identify Zinsco and GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco electrical panels and circuit breakers, and we include photographs of a Zinsco look alike marketed by Kearney.

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

How to Identify Zinsco & Zinsco-Sylvania & GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco & Kearney Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers

This website discusses the electrical, fire, and shock hazards associated with Zinsco electrical components, circuit breakers, electrical panels, including certain Sylvania electrical panels and breakers which are in fact of the same product design and origin.

Readers should also see IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS , see IDENTIFY KEARNEY PANELS, see the GTE-SYLVANIA-ZINSCO FAILURE MECHANISM as well as ZINSCO FAILURE REPORTS.

Zinsco Magnetrip panel lable (C) D Friedman GTE Sylvania Zinsco breaker (C) J Weissman D Friedman

Zinsco electrical panels were distributed in the United States, primarily in the Western states. Some Zinsco electrical panels include an embossed "Magnetrip" label in the panel cover (photo, above left). The photo (above-right) of a recent GTE Sylvania Zinsco circuit breaker burnup is courtesy of Jeff Weissman. Other Zinsco electrical panel identification and information labels are included in this article.

  • Zinsco Main Panel, note the embossed "Magnetrip" label at the top of the panel face
  • "Magnetrip" closer view of this embossed label
  • Zinsco blue/silver label in the panel, and the characteristic green, white, red circuit breaker toggles
  • Underwriter's Laboratory Label, closeup of this yellow on black UL label in a Zinsco electric panel
  • A Zinsco Electrical Panel, cover off: note the red and blue breaker toggles and the breaker removed to show evidence of arcing in this Zinsco electrical panel. .
  • Zinsco circuit breaker labels-1
  • Zinsco circuit breaker labels-2
  • Zinsco Main Panel Label, closeup of the red print on black "Zinsco Los Angeles label"


IDENTIFY Zinsco HD - 4032 400 Amp, 2 pole, 240V AC Electrical Panel

400A Zinsco in a Georgia kitchen (C) D Friedman, R Sims. 400A Zinsco in a Georgia kitchen (C) D Friedman, R Sims.

Above, courtesy of Richard Sims, we include photographs of a 400A 240V Zinsco Electrical Panel that was property of the Georgia (USA) Power Company, including identifying Zinsco labeling. The Zinsco panel exterior (above left).

The right hand photo (above right) shows the distinctive operating handle on the door of this Zinsco electrical panel.

Below we show external and internal identification labels for this 400-Amp Zinsco electrical panel. The electrical panel is also tagged with the electrician's card, Jim Wise, owner, Wise Electric.

Zinsco 400A panel in Georgia (C) D Friedman R Sims Zinsco 400A panel in Georgia (C) D Friedman R Sims

Below we show the interior of this 400Amp Zinsco electrical panel.

Zinsco 400A panel interior (C) Daniel Friedman R Sims Zinsco 400A panel interior (C) Daniel Friedman R Sims

Readers should also see IDENTIFY GTE SYLVANIA-ZINSCO PANELS , see IDENTIFY KEARNEY PANELS, see the GTE-SYLVANIA-ZINSCO FAILURE MECHANISM as well as ZINSCO FAILURE REPORTS.

Contact Us with field reports and photos. We are pleased to credit and link-to contributors.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Questions & answerrs about the identification of Zinsco, Sylvaniz-Zinsco, and Kearney Electrical Panels - Zinsco-look alike Electrical Panels and Circuit Breakers.

Ask a Question or Enter Search Terms in the InspectApedia search box just below.

Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

  • Personal communication, J. Aronstein to D. Friedman, 3/6/2006
  • James P. Simmons: Personal communication and photographs used in this article series, J. Simmons to Daniel Friedman, 3/4/2006, 2/19/2008. Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, 1320 Dayton Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501, 360-705-4225, Fax 360-705-0130 or by email to mrelectricoly@msn.com
  • Thanks to various electricians, home owners, and home inspectors for contributing the Zinsco Sylvania-Zinsco electric panel and circuit breaker field failure reports cited above.
  • Thanks to David Osborn, an alert home inspector, for helpful critique regarding the need for Zinsco/Sylvania electrical panel replacement, 4/27/06
  • Thanks to Joe Funderburk, Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, Hickory Grove, SC for his photos of a Kearney electrical panel. Mr. Funderburk is a NACHI member and home inspector who can be reached at jfunderburk@aohomeinspection.com or at www.aohomeinspection.com
  • Thanks to Texas electrician Jeff Weissman for contribution of photographs of burned Zinsco circuit breakers. 03/06/2007. Mr Weissman can be reached at jeffweissman@gmail.com or by telephone at 713-666-6605
  • 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

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • 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 InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson DunlopThe Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

    Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
    Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd
  • Recommended books on electrical inspection, electrical wiring, electrical problem diagnosis, and electrical repair can be found in the Electrical Books section of the InspectAPedia Bookstore. (courtesy of Amazon.com)
  • Rust and Corrosion in Electrical Panels, A Study and Report on Frequency and Cause for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
  • "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985.
  • "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
  • "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
  • "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
  • "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40.
  • "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.
  • "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original Journal article as it contains unsafe inaccuracies]
  • "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries.
  • ...

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