Zinsco

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

The bus bars on this Zinsco had heated to the point that it damaged the mounts. When I removed the cover, the entire setup almost fell out.

[cmccann]

Wow Jeff, you are the master!!!

[Joe Hugenroth]

Yikes!! I see a ton of Zinscos around here, and I always write them up, but the worst I have seen is a little oxidation and some loose breakers. Nothing like that!

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I think Jeff lives in the Zinsco capital of the world...would you believe jeff down here in VA I am lucky to see maybe only 2-3 Zinsco's a year( way more Fed.Pacific around here )...and usually they are on the electrical side when we are upgrading them.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

I see 10 or 15 Zinsco panels in a month and maybe 5 or so FPE. This was not the worst I've seen, but it's up there in the top ten. . .

[Russel Ray]

I think Zinsco accounts for about half of my inspections, with FPE and the early 1980's Sylvania accounting for another 25%. Murray and GE in the newer homes.

[twheeler]

Jeff, I want to move down there. I love seeing those type of deficiencies. And great pic, by the way.

[jweinberg]

Originally Posted by jpope

I see 10 or 15 Zinsco panels in a month and maybe 5 or so FPE. This was not the worst I've seen, but it's up there in the top ten. . .

Jeff,

Do you have some standard Zinsco Veribiage you put in your reports that you wouldn't mind sharing with us? It would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff

[Charles Buell]

Jeff "Zinsco" Pope,
Here is a Zinsco from my inspection today. Tons of issues besides being a Zinsco. I especially like the double tapped neutral to the sub-panel; and, the sub panel hot conductors and neutral fed individually through 1/2" romex connectors.
Charlie

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jweinberg

Do you have some standard Zinsco Veribiage you put in your reports that you wouldn't mind sharing with us? It would be greatly appreciated.

IMHO, Zinsco, unlike FPE, deserves a bit more consideration before making a blanket statement for repair and/or replacement. The one pictured by Charles is another story

If you are unsure and would just rather be safe, this statement is probably the most prudent, and can be used as a general comment for Zinsco and FPE.

The home is equipped with a Zinsco brand electrical panel(s). Zinsco components are considered problematic by industry professionals due to their high failure rate. Failure of any component within the electrical system may result in fire and/or electrocution. Further evaluation of the electrical panel by a state licensed electrical contractor is advised to determine its safety, integrity and performance.

You should follow up a statement like this with a list of any observed deficiencies.

[Russel Ray]

The name "Zinsco" is enough "observed" deficiency for me. I don't take covers off simply because of what you noted in your first post and my own experience doing property renovations. I think everything I've ever renovated here in San Diego had a Zinsco panel.

[jweinberg]

Thanks Jeff...

Originally Posted by jpope

If you are unsure and would just rather be safe, this statement is probably the most prudent, and can be used as a general comment for Zinsco and FPE.
The home is equipped with a Zinsco brand electrical panel(s). Zinsco components are considered problematic by industry professionals due to their high failure rate. Failure of any component within the electrical system may result in fire and/or electrocution. Further evaluation of the electrical panel by a state licensed electrical contractor is advised to determine its safety, integrity and performance.

[Jay Moge]

Jeff, you need to start a zinsco museum.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

...

[Mark A. Timpani]

Is this a zinsco or one of the problematic panels?