Zinsco

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by mtimpani

Is this a zinsco or one of the problematic panels?

Nope.

[jweinberg]

Hi Jeff Pope (Mr. Zinsco)....

Came upon a Zinsco panel today with COPPER bars down the middle instead of the normal aluminum. Never seen this before. I'm sure a much better design since it wouldn't have the aluminum oxidation issues.

But was wondering if this era of panel would still have the problematic issues related to the Zinsco Breakers not tripping in a reliable manner.

Just wondering if you would change any of the wording you posted in a previous message board entry:

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.

P.S. Yeah...I caught the white wire...

[Marc D. Shunk]

Even if you've run across a copper buss Zinsco, it still has enough age on it to safely say it's at the end of its service life. The AL buss was worse, but regardless of the buss material, the breaker to buss interface was a design that didn't stand the test of time very well.

[Peter Doane]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

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.

I see ALOT up here in WA. State too. Must of had a REALLY good salesman traveling the West Coast back then!

[cbuell]

I am having a brain fart on the mfg the of panel---not a Zinsco though. I am sure someone will come up with the brand.

[jweinberg]

Originally Posted by cbuell

I am having a brain fart on the mfg the of panel---not a Zinsco though. I am sure someone will come up with the brand.

The panel cover is embossed with the name ZINSCO

[gmagee]

I think that's a Zinsco Magna Trip.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

The copper bus was the design prior to the AL bus. I give this type the same disclaimer. It is older and still has the same problems with unreliable breakers.

[Peter C. Russell]

I inspected a house today with a Murray panel and it was installed upside down so the pane cover could be opened next to the garage door track.
Is this OK?

[cbuell]

Jeff, I was responding to the post by Mark---his does not look like a Zinsco-----your's obviously is

[jweinberg]

Originally Posted by cbuell

Jeff, I was responding to the post by Mark---his does not look like a Zinsco-----your's obviously is

Sorry....My bad....

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by prussell

I inspected a house today with a Murray panel and it was installed upside down so the pane cover could be opened next to the garage door track.
Is this OK?

The orientation of that panel is fine, but it does not have the required clearances.

[Harold E. Miller]

Originally Posted by mtimpani

Is this a zinsco or one of the problematic panels?

Attached Thumbnails
http://www.nachi.org/forum/attachmen...1&d=1140790205

Mark T. That appears to be a Murray panel. They are the only ones that I can recall that have a red case for the main disconnect. ....I think.

[Peter C. Russell]

Originally Posted by jpope

The orientation of that panel is fine, but it does not have the required clearances.

Thanks Jeff, I noted that in my report as usual but I don't think my client is going to change it but I CMA.

[Marc D. Shunk]

All that spray foam is, well... weird.

There is no "upside down" on a modern panel. As long as all the breakers work left to right, there's no problem. Some breakers work "up and down", so therd is a right side up. 'ON' must be up, and 'OFF' must be down. As long as the handles work left to right, the installer may orient the panel with either end up.

The garage door track that seems to prevent 90° opening of the panel door is a clear violation. It seems that might be the case, regardless of how the panel was oriented. I'm sure you reported that fact, and I suppose that's the best you can do.

It is safe to say that this panel was not installed by an actual electrician. I know of no professional electricians who use the Murray brand. That's a brand that seems to be sold almost exclusively at Lowe's nowadays, and seems to be installed by unknowledgeable (but well meaning) DIY's nationwide.