Because they are not safe Breakers within many Zinsco panels found at the main bus bar. We have a Federal Pacific panel. Zinsco Panels GTE-Sylvania or Zinsco panels were popular electrical breaker panels installed in homes throughout the 1970s, over 30 years ago. If your own was built prior to 1990, you might have a most unwelcome “guest” out of sight but very much present. Expansion and contraction from overheating leads to arcing, damaging both the breaker and bus bar. That puts them past their expected lifespan, meaning the circuit breakers may not trip as they are designed to. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. The Wadsworth Electrical Manufacturing Company dates back to 1918 and was an early innovator, with numerous patents for electrical breakers and panel box designs. Unsafe Electrical Panels Can pose Fire and Shock Hazard If your home carries a older electrical panel this kind of fuses, safety can be hard. This problem has caused thousands of fires across the United States and can still send power while in the off position to create a risk of electrocution during maintenance. If you have a Zinsco panel, you can find the name inside or outside the box. Electrical panels should be replaced every 20 – 30 years. Nikola Tesla stood up for a new type of electricity, A… Back in the Nineteenth Century, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla were fighting each other over the control of the electricity industry in the United States. Preeti Shah-May 2, 2018. These codes cover the installation and placement of residential circuit breaker boxes, including main service panels and subpanels. These panels have been studied and found to be highly unreliable and even dangerous. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Rooms Circuit breaker boxes may not be installed in bathrooms, powder rooms, clothes closets or in any room where there is insufficient space for a … Trust our experienced electricians at Penna Electric to keep your home running smoothly and safely. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. Consumer Warning About Outdated & Unsafe Electrical Panels. Outdated panels are not just out of fashion and something that you can take lightly like, say, a pair of bell-bottoms. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. | Brubaker Inc. As electricians, we're very familiar with all brands of electrical safety panels in homes and commercial buildings, but we realize many people outside of our field are not. However, previously purchased panels were still being installed for a time after that. Once a circuit draws too much power, the fuse is designed to burn out to close the circuit and must be replaced. Unsafe Electrical Panels | Replace Circuit Breaker Panel. I think this electrician is just trying to scare up business. What makes this brand of panel unique from other circuit breaker panels is that, rather than having switches that flip left and right, the panel uses rectangular buttons to be pushed in order to activate and deactivate circuits. This means that they are well beyond their projected lifespan and the circuit breakers may not trip properly when needed. If you are a homeowner or business owner within a 20 mile radius of Redondo Beach and are looking for the best electrical contractor in the South Bay, then call Penna Electric. If you see the name Zinsco anywhere on your electrical panel, it should be replaced immediately. They can also be extremely unsafe. Why they’re unsafe: The circuit breakers inside many Zinsco panels melt to the main ‘bus bar’. Furthermore, new changes to electrical code no longer allow multiple disconnects to exist. Electrical breakers give off an enormous amount of EMF radiation, just pick up a good EMF meter and find out for yourself. Electrical panel inspection should be done by licensed electricians Electrical panel inspection can be dangerous, and should therefore be handled with care and by professionals. According to the 2008 National Electrical Code, most residential electrical panels require at least a 3-foot clearance or working space in front, 30 inches of width, and a minimum headroom clearance of 6 feet, or the height of the equipment, whichever is greater. Circuits and wires carry electricity throughout the home like veins and arteries carry blood to organs and limbs. Unsafe Electrical Panels Can Pose Fire and Shock Hazards If your home has an older electrical panel with fuses, safety can be an issue. When you decide to upgrade, our well-trained and certified electricians have all the experience and training needed to complete your electrical panel upgrade project from start to finish, with a minimum of fuss or disturbance. Outdated and Unsafe Electrical Panels That Could Be Hiding In Your Home Even though you can’t have one installed, there are millions in place already, putting homes and families at risk. Quality control testing has determined that a mechanical part of these breakers may become detached and and prevent the breaker from functioning. Unsafe Electrical Panels That Might Be in Your House. The Electrical Circuit Breaker Panel The Heart of a Home's Electric System. This problem has lead to thousands of fires across the United States. As time has passed, electricians and home inspectors have discovered that certain Zinsco panels often can fail to operate properly and may leave homes and homeowners at risk to both fire and electrical shock. You see, electrical panels contain safety devices (either fuses or circuit breakers) that trip and shut off the power when too much electricity flows through them. Once this happens, the breakers are unable to trip even during an overload or short. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Zinsco is now defunct, but many homes still have these panels. Although the company no longer manufacturers products, Challenger products were sold to many other brands, and even may be labeled as GTE-Sylvania or Zinsco. While the company is now defunct, their panels are still found in many homes across the United States. 0. Zinsco also manufactured the same panels under two different brand names: GTE-Sylvania and Sylvania. Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panels. Over time, both of these components would melt completely, leading to fire and shock hazards. Why they’re unsafe : The circuit breakers inside many Zinsco panels melt to the main ‘bus bar’. Zinsco Panels In the 1970s, Zinsco (also known as GTE-Sylvania) panels were installed in homes around the nation. FEDERAL PACIFIC & ZINSCO RECALL | Casteel Air. These circuit breakers were sold to electrical product distributors, retail hardware and lumber stores. There have also been reports of circuits being in the “off” position yet still sending power to the circuit, causing electrocution when working on a circuit that is presumed to be off. As an owner or manager of the property in New York City, it is your job to ensure the safety of the building’s occupants. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Why Outdated and Unsafe Electrical Panels Should Be Replaced. These malfunctioning breakers would overheat under normal conditions, at the connection to the bus bar. Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panels. This problem has lead to thousands of fires across the United States. These old electrical panels are extremely unsafely. Electricity surges through the circuits without a functioning breaker, leading to overheating and fires. Panels that are old and difficult to maintain should be upgraded and easily maintained in order to ensure the safety of your home. Zinsco Panels The circuit breakers inside m But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Millions of these panels were sold and installed in homes up to the 1980s. Look at your breaker box or electrical panel to determine if it is out-of-date or no longer being supported by the manufacture. After Challenger went out of business, the remaining product lines were purchased by Eaton/Cutler Hammer. FPE electric panels’ circuit breakers fail to trip when they should (when there’s a short circuit or circuit overload). Please contact us right away at 310-800-2401, Project Type * Project Type*CommercialResidentialIndustrial, 6 Things You Should Know Before You Buy Electrical Vehicles. This contact form is deactivated because you refused to accept Google reCaptcha service which is necessary to validate any messages sent by the form. Preeti Shah-May 2, 2018. A Potential HAZARD could exist at your home. Most homeowners don’t realize that their electrical panel is outdated and potentially dangerous until they’ve had a home inspection or 4 Point inspection performed on the home. Between the 1950s and 1980s, Federal Pacific Electric was considered one of the most trusted and popular electrical panel manufacturers in the United States. What Are the Warning Signs of a Bad Electrical Panel? These old electrical panels are extremely unsafely. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. Even some brands of each and every newer electrical panels along with circuit breakers can pose safety hazards and perhaps they are upgraded. Zinsco or GTE-Sylvania panels were popular electrical panels installed in homes throughout the 1970s. If you were experiencing chest pains and felt there was a problem with your heart, you know you wouldn’t attempt to diagnose such a serious matter yourself. The switched melt into the panel … 2. Here ‘s the assignment: if your own was built before 1990, take just a minute or two to read the brand name on your home electrical panel. Written by Walt Meyer. Federal Pacific breakers are reputed to have a high rate of circuit breaker failure, which can result in fire or shock/electrocution. In this article, we will look at 4 unsafe electrical panels that are commonly seen and you should consider replacing if they are found inside of your home. It’s for your family’s added safety. And, although these fixtures may not look as pretty as their modern counterparts, they could be adding unwanted risk for your home and family. Why they’re unsafe: By themselves, split-bus panels aren’t unsafe. Replace your old electrical panel to prevent unsafe conditions in your home. Zinsco is now defunct, but many homes still have these panels. Inside, you may also find the name Stab-Loc as the brand of circuit breakers. Home fuse boxes, though, are more likely to be tampered with. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. If you live in a home that was built before 1990, there is a chance that you may have one of these outdated and unsafe electrical panels. FPE electric panels’ circuit breakers fail to trip when they should (when there’s a short circuit or circuit overload). Outdated panels don’t just make you uncool like a pair of outdated bell-bottoms might. About 9,000 of these devices have not been located, most likely have been installed in residences. While the Pushmatic panel itself is not as great a fire hazard as the panels mentioned above, it is obsolete since the company went out of business. Federal Pacific Electric Panels: Fires Waiting to Happen, Debate Waiting to Be Ended. If your own was built prior to 1990, you might have a most unwelcome “guest” out of sight but very much present. Make sure that when you select an electrical company to do the enhancement of your home and you have decided to take your enhancement to the level where you require an electrical upgrade that the technician at the company has a good working knowledge and the experience to properly guide you in this area. Whether recalled or outdated, these panels require immediate attention: Zinsco was a popular brand of electrical panel installed in many homes throughout the 1970s. The home’s electrical system operates like a human being's body. It’s for your family’s added safety. This site uses cookies. © 2021 Hot Shot Electric. We have a little homework for you. Zinsco. However, the wiring in your home that goes from the panel to these outlets can emit a small amount of … Why they’re unsafe: The circuit breakers inside many Zinsco panels melt to the main ‘bus bar’. The problem with Zinsco panels is a design flaw that causes the panel to heat up with a power surge. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Home fuse boxes, though, are more likely to be tampered with. An electrical panel manufactured by either Zinsco or Federal Pacific Electric (FPE). Solar panels are not more dangerous than any other electrical installation, after all, we all know the dangers that electricity represents and we still use it. Why are Challenger electrical panels not insurable? Any Orchard Park, NY electrician can tell you that the secret to having a safe and effective electrical system isn’t much of a secret: it starts with having an updated electrical panel. Although Zinsco no longer exists, their panels were part of a class-action lawsuit in 2002, and thousands of homes across the country may still have these malfunctioning panels installed. All of the electricity in your home flows through your panel, and it keeps your home safe by detecting electrical problems such as circuit overloads and tripping the circuit to keep your home from … Commercial Electrical Sub Panel Installation, © Copyright 2019 - Penna Electric | License No. Oct 28, 2016 - A Faulty Electrical Panel Can Be Deadly And May Cause Fire In Dallas Homes An electrical panel, which is also known as a panel board is very important in Dallas homes because it helps to supply power into sub panels, or circuits to provide current throughout the residents. As a full-service electrical company, our technicians provide a range of services for both residential and commercial clients that expect the best, no matter how small their project may seem. Having an unsafe electrical panel is a gamble that no homeowner should take for the protection of their property and the wellbeing of their family. The metal panel cover has been removed and a wood panel with no latch has been installed. The electrical panel does not only produce electric radiation, it also emits low frequency magnetic radiation. Why These Electrical Panels Need to Be Replaced. The right electrical upgrade can dramatically improve the value and appearance of any home or business. They worked great for years but as we demand more and more electricity, they can't keep up. Who or what can that be? Why These Electrical Panels Need to Be Replaced. 4 Outdated and Unsafe Electrical Panels. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. Panels were known to fail, while still conducting power. That puts them past their expected lifespan, meaning the circuit breakers may not trip as they are designed to. Instead, they will often have up to 6 different breakers that are labeled as a “main”. All Rights Reserved. However, these types of panels haven’t been used for over 40 years. Like veins and arteries carry blood to organs and limbs, circuits and wires carry electricity throughout the home. Even though you can’t have one installed, there are millions in place already, putting homes and families at risk. These unsafe electrical panels have been outlawed. Modern circuit breakers feature a single metal bus that allows electricity to pass through the main breaker and into the bus. The heart must be healthy in order for blood to travel around the body; the electrical panel of our home must operate properly for electricity to flow safely throughout the home. Given that they produce so much EMF radiation, sleeping near an electrical panel can be quite dangerous. FPE electric panels’ circuit breakers fail to trip when they should (when there’s a short circuit or circuit overload). 0. Is Your Challenger Brand Electric Panel Safe? In this article, we will look at 4 unsafe electrical panels that are commonly seen and you should consider replacing if they are found inside of your home. However, this issue is most common with specific models. These hazards can lead to an electrical fire. Federal Pacific Electric Panels (FPE) Between the 1950s and 1980s, Federal Pacific Electric was considered one of the most trusted and popular electrical panel manufacturers in the United States. | Brubaker Inc. Built to accommodate the energy needs of a low electrical use society, these panels often end up being patched by homeowners to allow more current than the wires can handle. Look at all the progress humankind has made thanks to electricity, it’s not like we are going to stop using it, it just means that we need to learn how to use it and establish safety measures to protect ourselves from its dangers. The major difference between these and your more modern electrical panels is that the old-fashioned ones don’t contain safety devices like fuses or circuit breakers that will trip and shut off the power when too much electricity flows through them. These are examples of outdated panels: Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panels – These panels have been listed as not only unsafe, but are responsible for thousands of house fires in the US. While fuse-based technologies aren’t inherently unsafe or unreliable. There are some brands of electrical panels that should be replaced no matter what. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Zinsco panels are unsafe because many of their circuit breakers melted to the main bus bar (a relatively large metal strip inside the panel designed to conduct substantial amounts of electrical current from the electric meter to the panel). : 907063. Finding parts is nearly impossible and, if they can be found, are extremely expensive. While split-bus electrical panels aren’t inherently unsafe, they are dated technology that hasn’t been used in over 40 years. They can also be extremely unsafe. An electrical panel manufactured by either Zinsco or Federal Pacific Electric (FPE). To enjoy the comforts of television, computers and refrigerators (to name a few), we must maintain a properly functioning electrical panel. Built to accommodate the energy needs of a low electrical use society, these panels often end up being patched by homeowners to allow more current than the wires can handle. It has been found by home inspectors and electricians that these panels often fail to operate properly. Zinsco or GTE-Sylvania panels were popular electrical panels installed in homes throughout the 1970s. The unchecked surge of power melted wires and started fires in homes. Another indication of these faulty panels is the name “Stab-Lok” (brand name of the circuit breakers) printed on the circuits themselves. Also known as GTE-Sylvania panels, Zinsco were popular electrical panels during the 1970s. The scary thing about these outdated electrical panels is that they can be very unsafe. 2. Unsafe Electrical Panels Come With Fire And Electrocution Hazards. Between the 1950s and 1980s, Federal Pacific Electric was one of the most popular manufacturers of electric panels in the United States. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Take a look at your panel and see if this is an issue. However, these types of panels haven’t been used for over 40 years. Contact us today to get started! This electrical panel is openly installed in the family room of this home. Any panel that is old and outdated is naturally prone to having worn out, hence unreliable, components and parts. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. We have a little homework for you. The problem is that some 240-Volt FPE circuit breakers and possibly also some 120-Volt units simply may not work. Why they’re unsafe: By themselves, split-bus panels aren’t unsafe. Electrical Panel Issues. In fact, many of these panels were installed in millions of homes and still are there today. If you have a Challenger panel, a licensed electrician should be contacted to perform replacement work. AT RISK: Federal Pacific, Zinsco, X.O Style Square D, Pushmatic, Challenger, Crouse Hinds, Sylvania. Unsafe Electrical Panels That Could Be Hiding In Your Home. While fuse boxes aren’t dangerous on their own, modifications made to them by contractors or homeowners can make them unsafe. Production was halted when design flaws were discovered. Having an unsafe electrical panel is a gamble that no homeowner should take for the protection of their property and the wellbeing of their family. Unsafe Electrical Panels. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. To schedule an estimate for a free quote performed by an actual qualified electrician, please call us. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. The electrical panel is like the heart of your home’s electrical system. The deficiencies that became evident were serious enough to be considered both a fire and electrical shock risk. If you see any of these names in your home’s electrical panel, give us a call right away. Zinsco is now defunct, but many homes still have these panels. Unsafe Electrical Panels Come With Fire And Electrocution Hazards. This is a double tapped 20 amp breaker with #14 and #12 in the same 20 amp circuit. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Zinsco or GTE-Sylvania panels were popular electrical panels installed in homes throughout the 1970s. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Blood keeps our bodies alive; electricity keeps our homes running. Even some brands of newer electrical panels equipped with circuit breakers can pose safety hazards and should be upgraded. The company is now defunct, but some homes built in the 70's still have these unsafe panels. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has classified these panels as a safety defect because they do not trip when needed. Unsafe Electrical Panels. Is Your Challenger Brand Electric Panel Safe? Plus, electrical code no … Often, this type of electric panel will have Federal Pacific Electric written on the cover of the breaker box. Plus, electrical code no longer allows for multiple disconnects. If your panel is over 20 years old, it needs to be replaced. Four Unsafe Electrical Panels Hiding in Your Home If you own an older home (built prior to 1990), you may have one of these outdated main electric panels (boxes) in your home. Since DC electricity came first with the invention of the light bulb from Thomas Edison, people were more interested in this type of electricity. Unsafe Electrical Panels That Might Be in Your House Any Orchard Park, NY electrician can tell you that the secret to having a safe and effective electrical system isn’t much of a secret: it starts with having an updated electrical panel. Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok® service panels and breakers are dangerous and can fail, leading to electrical fires.Problem Analysis and Explanation for home inspection, home buyers, home owners Shock Hazard Recall of Eaton Electrical Meter Breakers, Outdated and Unsafe Electrical Panels That Could Be Hiding In Your Home, How to Find Out if Your Home Electrical Panel is Dangerous, https://pennaelectric.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Penna-Electric-video.mp4. 1. Unsafe Electrical Panels | Replace Circuit Breaker Panel. And they were installed in millions of homes. Safety is paramount, and no matter what level of electrical experience you have, it’s important to be mindful of the proper safety procedures when inspecting electrical panels. They include: Federal Pacific Electric; Federal Pioneer; Challenger; Bulldog Pushmatic; Zinsco; Out of date Between 1950 and 1980, Pushmatic panels were widely used and installed in homes. But these panels are extremely unsafe. This then connects to each individual circuit breaker to provide power throughout a home. These unsafe electrical panels have been outlawed. Hot Shot Electric Service Co. is Green Country’s electric hero! Brands deemed unsafe. While fuse-based technologies aren’t inherently unsafe or unreliable. Why they’re unsafe: The circuit breakers inside many Zinsco panels It was a very popular product and installed throughout North America. This is different than circuit breakers, which can just be reset once tripped. Federal Pacific (FPE) Federal Pacific panels were commonly installed in homes built between 1950 and 1980. Wadworth panels were most popular from the 1930s to 1950s. An unsafe electric panel poses a very serious risk for fire and electrocution. 221. In 2014, Eaton Corporation recalled over 1,000 residential breakers because the panel components could be easily accessed, posing an electrical shock hazard. Most often the problems can be as simple as plugging in too many devices on a single circuit or replacing fuses with a penny or metal object and replacing the blown fuse with a larger amp. Replace These 3 Outdated & Unsafe Electrical Panels. If your home was built before the 1990s, there’s a chance that you may have unsafe electrical panels or boxes hiding inside of your home. What electrical panels are unsafe? The melted circuit breakers failed to trip in the event of a short or overloaded circuit. These panels need to be inspected by an electrician and, if found with the problematic design, replaced immediately. Let's dive into why this is dangerous, and what you can do to protect yourselves. Why they’re unsafe: The circuit breakers inside many Zinsco panels melt to the main ‘bus bar’.