Install ATS to a Zinsco meter/combo

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Client needs a supply-side meter adapter, if POCO allows it.

There are several brands, here is one:

GENERLINK | GENERLINK Transfer Switch

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In general an ATS shouldn't be connected to any meter/main combo unless you're either doing what Ramsy suggests or moving all the loads to a different panel. (I'm aware that some people do unpermitted work hacking up meter/mains to tie in an ATS; it's ugly code violations every time.) The Zinsco just makes that situation worse. The meter adapter might be the better way to go because I've never heard of Zinsco meter sockets having issues (but that's a pretty old meter socket by now). If you're moving the loads out of the panel and the utility will accept a meter socket and service rated ATS, that seems worth the additional effort.
 
infinity said:
IMO the Zinsco needs to be replaced. I wouldn't connect a new ATS to one of those panels.
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Your services wont be needed, since upgrades go to GC labor shops.

In my area customers shop construction price, and EC's wont be selected to flip the panel, since outbid by GC labor shops, or trunk slammers.

If rival EC's call for meter spot, POCO rarely demands proof of permits for re-connect, and typically replaces old service conductors after they burn up on new service upgrades.

If permits are pulled, GC's are licensed, so California combo inspectors (jack of all, master of none) pass anything that looks Ok to them.

The Zinsco was inspected by a real electrical inspector, which is not likely with the rival upgrades.
 
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If the meter-main is used, then the service rated ATS would have to be treated as a sub panel with the EGCs and neutrals separated. With the uptick in generator requests, the meter-main combos make the install difficult, especially on existing equipment.
 
I have one going now where the main is an FPE. I informed the customer I won’t work with it, only replace it. They agreed.

The GenerLink is for a manual transfer switch only, as far as I know. I don’t believe they work with an ATS. Not used I my area, so I’m not familiar with them.

While it is possible to get an ATS to work with meter/main, it is very problematic, and I won’t do them anymore, and haven’t for a few years. Lost some customers because it requires a lot of extra work, but it is what it is. And yes, it can be done without hacking up anything, or violating codes, but you would have to be knowledgeable enough to do it, and not be a hack. 😉

As meter/mains are the norm in my area, I run into this several times a week. It’s either a new main, new ATS, and new sub panel, or, existing main with feed through lug kit, ATS, and sub, or, in both scenarios, a combo ATS/ distribution panel. Saves one panel.

At any rate, I would replace the Zinsco.
 
bsantiago0682 said:
Looking for ideas to install an ATS to a Zinsco meter/combo. Informed customer that Zinsco panel should be replaced.
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If it's FPE, won't touch it:
Molded Case Circuit Breakers - Some Holes in the Electrical Safety Net
Jesse Aronstein; David W. Carrier

Zinsco on the other hand. Some of those were made with copper busses, and seem to be rolling along just fine.
You can also take out all the breakers, check for heat damage, and apply no-ox compound.


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But THEN move all the back up eligible loads to a new panel.
 
Here is one I did a few years ago. It was a new install and not too bad to do. From the meter-main I ran the feeder through the basement to the ATS, then to a main breaker panel, both of which were subpanels. They wanted the ATS to be in the basement.



 
As far as I can tell Zinsco mains (wire in wire out) are fine, even with insurance.
Zinsco copper bus bars are fine.
Zinsco aluminum bus bars are subject to corrosion that leads to overheating at the breaker junction, and can take out the target breaker and adjacent ones, distorting the plastic and leading to more heat.

FPE breakers on the other hand jam, and just don't do what they need to do.
 
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