Otis Singleton
Zinsco Electric was a company that manufactured electrical panels and circuit breakers. The company was previously known as Martin Electric before it was renamed Zinsco Electric in 1943. Zinsco Electric panels were commonly installed in homes across the country. However, over time, electricians and home inspectors discovered that certain Zinsco panels could fail to operate properly, posing risks of fire and electrical shock to homeowners. Due to safety concerns, Zinsco panels may not meet modern safety standards, and it is recommended that homeowners with Zinsco panels have them inspected by a licensed electrical contractor. While Zinsco is no longer in production, replacement parts for their panels and circuit breakers can still be found online through outlets such as Breaker Outlet and Zinsco Parts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Zinsco Electric |
| Company Status | No longer in business |
| Company History | Martin Zinsmeyer bought the company from his father in 1943 and renamed it Zinsco Electric. In 1973, Martin Zinsmeyer sold the company to GTE-Sylvania. In 1978, the product line was renamed Challenger. In 1981, the Challenger line was sold to a former officer of GTE, who started a new company called Challenger Electrical Equipment Corporation. |
| Products | Circuit breakers, panels, and parts |
| Product Status | Some products are obsolete and only available reconditioned |
| Product Safety | Some Zinsco products have been identified as unsafe and may pose a fire and electrical shock risk. |
| Where to Buy | Breaker Outlet, Zinsco Parts, Connecticut Electric |
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What You'll Learn
Zinsco parts are available online
Zinsco Electric was a company that manufactured electrical panels and circuit breakers. The company was bought by Martin Zinsmeyer in 1943, who renamed it Zinsco Electric. In 1973, Zinsmeyer sold the company to GTE-Sylvania, which changed the product line's name to Challenger in 1978. The product line was then sold to a former officer of GTE in 1981, who started the Challenger Electrical Equipment Corporation.
Zinsco parts are also available on zinscoparts.com, where you can find circuit breakers, bus bars, dead front covers, and more. These parts are tested and shipped nationwide.
It is important to note that Zinsco panels have been found to have certain faults that may pose safety risks, such as an increased risk of fire and electrical shock. As such, it is recommended to contact a licensed electrical contractor for an inspection if you suspect that you have a Zinsco panel in your home or if you experience issues such as circuit breakers that keep tripping, flickering lights, or a malfunctioning exhaust fan.
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Breakers, panels and parts are available from Breaker Outlet
Zinsco Electric was a company that manufactured electrical panels and circuit breakers. The company was bought by Martin Zinsmeyer in 1943, who renamed it Zinsco Electric. In 1973, Zinsmeyer sold the company to GTE-Sylvania, which changed the product line's labelling and branding, dropping the "Magnatrip" label. Over the years, the company changed ownership several times, and the production of Zinsco frame panels and load-centers was eventually ceased.
Today, Zinsco parts can be hard to find, but Breaker Outlet provides a wide selection of Zinsco circuit breakers, panels, and parts. Breaker Outlet offers refurbished and reconditioned models that are safe to use, as older Zinsco panels may not meet updated safety codes and can pose a risk of electrical shock and fire. Breaker Outlet inspects each breaker before sale and provides a one-year warranty, ensuring customer satisfaction.
Breaker Outlet offers various Zinsco circuit breakers, including the R38-20, also known as Tandem, Twin, or Thin Breakers. These breakers feature two single-pole 20-amp breakers in one unit with red toggles. Breaker Outlet also offers the R38-15, which provides two single-pole 15-amp breakers in one unit with blue toggles. Additionally, they provide the RC38-30, a 2-pole, 30-amp, 240V breaker with green toggles, allowing for two poles in one unit.
For those seeking Zinsco parts, Breaker Outlet is a reliable source. They offer a range of breakers, panels, and parts to meet the replacement needs of their customers. With their commitment to safety and customer satisfaction, Breaker Outlet is a trusted provider of Zinsco products.
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Zinsco Electric was sold to GTE-Sylvania in 1973
Zinsco Electric, a manufacturer of electrical distribution panels and circuit breakers, was founded by Emile Martin Zinsmeyer and his son, Martin Emile Zinsmeyer, in the early 1930s. In 1943, Emile's son, Martin, bought the company and changed its name to Zinsco.
A few decades later, in 1973, Martin Zinsmeyer sold Zinsco Electric to GTE-Sylvania. During this ownership, the product line remained largely the same, with new labelling and branding. The "Magnatrip" label, for instance, was dropped.
In 1978, the product line was renamed "Challenger". By 1981, GTE-Sylvania had sold off its electrical distribution business, offloading its product lines and manufacturing facilities. The Challenger line was sold to a former officer of GTE, who used the name Challenger Electrical Equipment Corporation for his new company.
The new Challenger Brand ceased production of Zinsco frame panels and load-centers but continued to produce the rebranded Zinsco circuit breaker line. Despite no longer being in production, Zinsco parts can still be purchased online.
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Zinsco panels may pose a fire risk
The breaker can then melt the adjacent breaker, causing a chain reaction where the entire panel may catch fire and/or explode sparks into the nearby environment. This can lead to a panel that overheats and catches fire. Furthermore, the breaker can melt to a panel's bus bar, and will no longer adequately trip in the case of an overcurrent or short circuit. This results in an extreme amount of power from the outside electrical supply surging into the panel and circuits. Once that happens, the power cannot be shut off manually, and electricity will continue to flow until it is shut off at the main or the wires melt.
Due to these inherent design flaws, all Zinsco breakers and panels should be replaced with current, UL-listed equipment. Zinsco panels that were produced more than 30 years ago do not meet current safety regulations and would not pass today's UL listing. Experts recommend that if your electrical panel has any labels that say "Zinsco", you should replace it.
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Zinsco panels may pose a risk of electrical shock
Additionally, Zinsco panels suffer from manufacturing defects, such as breakers that do not connect securely to the bus bars. These loose connections can cause arcing, generating intense heat that may ignite the entire panel. The bus bars themselves are also susceptible to corrosion, further exacerbating the risk of electrical faults and fires. Compounding these inherent design and manufacturing flaws is the increased electrical demand placed on Zinsco panels in modern homes. As a result of higher electrical loads, Zinsco panels can overheat, causing portions of the panel to melt.
When breakers melt onto the bus bars, they become fused, preventing the breakers from tripping as intended. This scenario creates a hazardous situation where an excessive amount of electricity can surge into the panel and circuits without the ability to manually shut it off. Consequently, electricity continues to burn until it depletes its fuel or the wires melt, raising the possibility of electrical shock and heightening the risk of a fire outbreak. Due to these safety concerns, it is strongly recommended that licensed electricians inspect Zinsco panels, as they possess the qualifications to safely assess and address any potential hazards.
To identify a Zinsco panel, one can look for a vertical line of colour-coded circuit breaker handles down the middle of the electrical box. Typically, Zinsco panels also feature the logo at the top of the panel, though older panels may have faded logos, making identification more challenging. If you suspect that your home has a Zinsco panel, it is crucial to contact a licensed electrical contractor in your area for a thorough inspection. Taking prompt action can help mitigate the potential risks associated with outdated and unsafe electrical panels.
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Frequently asked questions
Zinsco Electric parts can be purchased online from websites such as zinscoparts.com and breakeroutlet.com.
You can find parts such as circuit breakers, bus bars, meter parts, and QSF switches.
Zinsco parts are safe to use as long as they are properly maintained and in good condition. However, there have been reports of issues with older Zinsco panels, and some insurance companies may no longer underwrite homes with Zinsco breaker panels.
