Believe The Hype, Zinsco Panels Are Dangerous!
Believe the hype, Zinsco panels are dangerous!
Zinsco (also known as Sylvania) electrical panels are known to pose several significant hazards, mainly due to design flaws and manufacturing defects that make them prone to malfunctioning. As a result many home insurance companies threaten clients with dropping their homes coverage if they become aware of a Zinsco panel being present. These panels were commonly used in residential electrical systems from the 1950s to the 1980s, but over time, several safety concerns have emerged.
1. Overheating and Fire Risk
Poor Connection with Circuit Breakers: The design of Zinsco panels has been found to cause poor connections between the circuit breakers and the bus bar (the metal strip that carries electricity). This can lead to overheating, which increases the risk of fires.
Loose or Arcing Connections: The circuit breakers in Zinsco panels often fail to make a solid connection with the bus bar, which can result in arcing (sparking) or excessive heat. Arcing and heat buildup can easily lead to fires, especially when the electrical load is high.
2. Circuit Breaker Failure
Inability to Trip Properly: Zinsco breakers are known to fail at tripping (cutting off power when an overload or short circuit occurs). A breaker that doesn't trip when needed can cause wires to overheat, potentially leading to electrical fires.
Old Design Issues: As these panels age, the internal components (such as the breaker mechanisms) may become brittle or worn out, making them less reliable.
3. Faulty or Defective Circuit Breakers
Breaking Mechanism Issues: Zinsco breakers have been found to be defective in some cases, and they may not properly protect against short circuits or overloading. This is a critical safety issue because the breakers are supposed to prevent overheating and fire by cutting off power when needed.
Recalled Breakers: Certain types of Zinsco breakers have been recalled due to safety concerns, further highlighting their inherent flaws.
4. Outdated Technology
Lack of Grounding: Older Zinsco panels may lack proper grounding or bonding, which is a significant safety concern in modern electrical systems. Improper grounding can increase the risk of electrical shocks, fires, and other hazards.
Inability to Handle Modern Electrical Demands: Zinsco panels were designed when electrical usage in homes was much lower. Modern homes, with more electrical devices and higher power demands, can overload older systems like Zinsco panels, increasing the risk of failure.
5. Worn-Out Components
Deterioration Over Time: As Zinsco panels age, the materials used in the construction, such as the bus bars, connections, and circuit breakers, degrade. This can lead to more frequent failures and greater risk of fire or electrical shock.
6. Difficult to Replace or Repair
Obsolete Parts: Because Zinsco panels are no longer in production, finding replacement parts, especially for older models, can be difficult. This makes repairs and upgrades harder to perform, leaving homeowners with outdated and potentially dangerous systems. Furthermore many professionals (rightly so) refuse to work on these panels due to their high liability issues.
Hard-to-Find Breakers: The specific breakers designed for Zinsco panels are not commonly available, and using incompatible replacements can lead to further safety issues.
What Should You Do If You Have a Zinsco/Sylvania Panel?
If you have a Zinsco or Sylvania electrical panel in your home, it’s highly recommended to replace it with a modern, safer circuit breaker panel. Replacing the old panel is one of the best ways to eliminate the associated fire and electrical hazards.
Get a Licensed Electrician: Contact us today to discuss the replacement process!
Don’t Rely on Temporary Fixes: Avoid trying to fix or replace the breakers yourself, as the system’s overall design is outdated and prone to malfunction.
Conclusion:
Zinsco/Sylvania panels are a known electrical safety hazard due to poor design, aging issues, and the risk of breaker malfunction. If you still have one in your home, it's crucial to have it replaced to ensure the safety of your electrical system.