Good Zinsco Replacements

Status
Not open for further replies.
Is panel replacement an option? We don't have Zinsco in my area but I have not heard anything good about them, and based on that, replacement sounds like the best option.
 
Ravenvalor said:
Can someone recommend a good replacement for the
Zinsco breaker. I need a 200 and some 100, 30, 20 and 15s.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

The words "good" and "Zinsco" are not usually used in the same sentence. Seems to me when something is obsolete and has been for as long as Zinsco / Sylvania has, time to think it's time to upgrade, the classified replacements are pretty costly.
 
norcal said:
The words "good" and "Zinsco" are not usually used in the same sentence. Seems to me when something is obsolete and has been for as long as Zinsco / Sylvania has, time to think it's time to upgrade, the classified replacements are pretty costly.
Click to expand...

How about, "It's good to replace a Zinsco panel!"?
 
If you can, chuck in a homeline :thumbsup: Any panel- even a budget model aluminum bus Murray- will be light years ahead of that Zinsco.
 
Ravenvalor said:
Are the replacements better made than the originals? They even sell the replacement buss. It had nothing but poor reviews though.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

No idea of quality. There arent many Zinsco panels here, so Ive no idea if the problems are limited to the breakers, or the total design (like FPE Stab Lok).

Given the prices of those breakers, and the numbers you need, a panel change may not be that much more costly.

mbrooke said:
If you can, chuck in a homeline :thumbsup: Any panel- even a budget model aluminum bus Murray- will be light years ahead of that Zinsco.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
You definitely need to recommend replacing the panel. I often tell
Customers they can google and find plenty or reasons why. Also, many insurance companies won't insure your dwelling (residential) if they know the panel is that Zinsco or Sylvania, or FPE. Square D QO is the best and I keep well stocked with QO as they are also commercial grade.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
mbrooke said:
If you can, chuck in a homeline :thumbsup: Any panel- even a budget model aluminum bus Murray- will be light years ahead of that Zinsco.
Click to expand...

Square D is good as long as you don't have to install AFCI's, otherwise I can't stand them because they take up too much gutter space in the panel.
 
peter d said:
Square D is good as long as you don't have to install AFCI's, otherwise I can't stand them because they take up too much gutter space in the panel.
Click to expand...



True, but as long as you aren't extending those circuits no AFCI needed. At least thats how I read the NEC. Any areas force AFCIs for panel upgrades regardless?
 
Ravenvalor said:
Can someone recommend a good replacement for the
Zinsco breaker. I need a 200 and some 100, 30, 20 and 15s.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Like everyone else said, just replace if you can- w/ a strong emphasis on replace.

The problems w/Zinsco are the breakers themselves ( they often won't trip on overcurrent or will even nuisance trip due to the heat/buss issue mentioned below) and the lousy breaker to buss connection. The breaker to aluminum buss connection gradually gets weak- one classic scenario you have when you deal w/ Zinsco is where hos will complain about loss of power to some parts of the house- you gently press on the breakers, power is restored- only to fail again. Other times the breaker will literally be welded (heat from loose/high resistance connection) to the buss and has to be destroyed to be removed- ZINSCO REPLACEMENT BREAKERS DO NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.......

The other fix for Zinsco- the replacement buss- while cheaper, isn't a sure thing - the can sometimes isn't big enough.

A true blue Zinsco panel hasn't been manufactured since the '70s- its likely time for an upgrade anyway.
 
mbrooke said:
True, but as long as you aren't extending those circuits no AFCI needed. At least thats how I read the NEC. Any areas force AFCIs for panel upgrades regardless?
Click to expand...

Yes. Probably wrongly but one locale made us install 2 AFCI for the bedrooms on a panel change with service upgrade. (VA has only BR outlet AFCI reqs). The new panel was put in place of the old, not moved.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top