Replacing Zinsco breakers with Connecticut Electric

[bioject]

I am working on two large estimates to fix 194 apartment units that all have Zinsco Panels in them. What are your thoughts on replacing all of the breakers with Connecticut Electric versions? While this option is not perfect, my understanding is that the Connecticut Electric breakers do resolve some of the design issues with the original Zinsco panels? Assuming the bussing is still in good condition I was considering this as an option.

The other option is to replace all 194 sub panels with new Eaton BR panels however if the first option is doable I think they would rather go with it.

 

[SSDriver]

I would rip out every zinsco. Labor would be more but parts would be less and now you have a panel with standard breakers, more space possibly, and can install gfci/afci if needed

 

[letgomywago]

Adding or replacing 1 breaker vs all of them it ends up being more expensive for the project as a whole.

 

[kwired]

Isn't the existing panels probably large enough you could actually set a modern load center inside the old cabinet and maybe need to do some metal working to get it to trim out nicely but beats having to repair walls should you have replaced everything?

 

[jaggedben]

My understanding is that Zinso had issues with both busbars and breaker internals. And I've never been clear if the CE breakers really resolve the issue with breaker internals either. Would I accept the liability risk for that on 194 panels? Hell no.

 

[norcal]

Saw a article where older breakers were tested & the aftermarket breakers fared worse then the listed/OEM, ones, Zinsco/Sylvania is so obsolete & problematic that getting rid of them now is better then slapping a costly bandaid on, Eaton BR is the cheap line that fills the void that Zinsco left.

 

[Jraef]

One of the big problems with Zinsco was that the bus corrodes and the breakers clips don’t grip right. Supposedly Connecticut Elec. beefed up the breaker clips, but if you are getting a better grip on a crappy bus, is that inherently safer? I’m not convinced.

 

[ActionDave]

Sounds like it's a matter of choosing whether to polish 194 turds or flush them down the toilet.