ZINSCO ELECTRICAL PANELS - why their panels are dangerous

What happened with Zinsco and why do electricians tell people to replace their panels? They have a stigma similar to Federal Pacific as being "outlawed" for some reason, here's why.
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Zinsco as a company does not have as bad, rather as dramatic, a story as Federal Pacific does. Yes, there is a very high failure rate for Zinsco panels, but not quite as high as FPE. There was also no shady hiding UL listings and court judgments finding anyone guilty of fraud like there was with FPE.
Zinsco actually had a pretty successful run of products, similar to Federal Pacific, and became very popular post World War II. They were bought out a few times and changed hands because of this success, but as the years went on it was found - through testing, and damage to property, that the breakers and bus bars did not hold up through the years. Many of the busses would be damaged from the materials used getting overheated. Also, many of the breakers didn't trip when they should, making them extremely dangerous to have installed in a home.
There are still replacement breakers made for Zinsco panels, and they are definitely better than using old breakers that were made when there was a high failure rate. Of course, the best thing overall is simply to replace these old panels and get new equipment put in. However it's understandable, not everyone can afford to replace an entire service - so replacement breakers are still a viable middle-of-the-road option.
#replacementbreakers #zinsco #outlawedbreakers

[@joecummings1260]

I bought an industrial building built in 1953 that had all Westinghouse breaker panels. You want to talk about quality, those panels were built to last at least a hundred years. Super heavy-duty copper bus. The breakers were all bolted to the bus with like 5/16 or 3/8 bolts. It killed me to replace those panels, but I needed more circuits of a lower amperage. I saved the panels, just for a conversation piece to show people the quality that went into industrial and commercial stuff made by companies like Westinghouse and General electric back then

[@terra6084]

thats awesome, id always wonder in my head what the experience was like for the electricians that wired these old houses originally, when knob and tube was used. when working with it, tearing it out etc. it was fascinating how its ran and seemed to work, i never took the time to really understand it though

[@sford]

Lucked out when I bought my house 8 years ago - the house inspector noted the presence of Zinsco breakers, and his report noted that they had a high failure rate and the whole assembly needed to be replaced. I was able to get the seller to pay for that before closing.

[@robburton3255]

I wish I had done the same thing! I just bought an older house and it still has the Zinsco panel. I'm honestly a little terrified of it. The house has so many electrical issues. I'm ready to either rebuild the panel or just completely replace it with something like Square D. I have sunk so much money into this house that I have to wait a while before I do it though.

[@arifsadatamini]

I am Arif , from Afghanistan, now I live in Abu Dhabi UAE, soon we will come to USA , I have studied law faculty but I like to be an expert electrician , I love your perfect KZbin videos , I am trying to learn more , its 3 weeks I started to watch your videos, hereby I would like to appreciate your hard work. God bless you brother 🙏

[@5roundsrapid263]

My dad was an electrician in the 70s/80s/90s. He hated these things with a passion. The factory that made them was only about 50 miles from my hometown. They were everywhere!

[@alexbarger9808]

I was changing out a 2x4 lay in troffer fixture in a building a few years ago that had a zinsco panel being used as a sub that was fed from a 200 amp Siemens panel. The light switch was on the neutral side of the circuit (I didn't know this and I didn't bother to check if power was actually off at the fixture, I always do now.) I pulled the Romex out of the fixture and the hot wire hit the Romex connector. I remember a very bright flash and a loud pop. I came down off the ladder and all the emergency lights were on in the building. I checked the panels and the 20 amp zinsco breaker for the lighting circuit was not tripped but the 200 amp main to the building was. I brought it to the building owners attention and we replaced that panel a few weeks later.

[@ProctorsGamble]

Had same thing happen to me with a FIre Specific panel. Tripped the transformer breaker at the street!

[@phlodel]

My electrical contractor, a long trusted friend, refused to work on my house unless I replaced the Zinsco panel. I did.

[@vinniecocco9932]

Wow.....amazing

[@johnc6343]

Drama queen.

[@DLmohh]

@@johnc6343 he’s liable if he’s the last one that touched it

[@thomasschneider1858]

@@johnc6343 thats what I was thinking. He should have just changed the shit himself. Must be one of those commercial electricians

[@johnc6343]

@@thomasschneider1858 yup. With just an inspection of the breakers and the famous zinsco "bars" or "firestarters" as we call em u can tell wether or not that panel is a hazard or if its about to be a hazard. Whinny tradesmen.

[@mrlt1151]

When I bought my house it had one of these Zinsco panels. My inspector noticed it and a melted hot water heater breaker. Negotiated replacement with the old owner of the house. After I moved in I found loose aluminum connections in several rooms and decided to rewire with copper. There’s a house fire in my neighborhood every other year or so. I always wonder if it’s the panel or wiring.

[@namAehT]

Might be a good idea to let your neighbors know that the developers fucked up

[@charlesball6519]

@@namAehT If anything, these are houses built before the 50's, so they were kit houses from the Sears Catalog, with wiring updated in the 80's.

[@ronb6182]

I wouldn't go that far but my parents house was hauled in on a truck like other on site manufacturers housing. I had to change out the panel we had the larger 240 breakers but the buss was corroded and the main arced. We had changed out the main first but a few years later we decided to replace the panel. All the wires were copper and ok. 73

[@chrissilva5659]

I think the aluminum wiring is the biggest factor and the breakers in these old ass panels not being replaced with new and improved ones

[@ronb6182]

@@chrissilva5659 my dad used aluminum wire for the meter and main breaker which was legal and the main stated you could. The fire problem is on outlets not made for aluminum wire and over time connections corrode, arc and melt the wire. I would spend the extra money and use copper. Not worth the trouble and have to replace wire. 73

[@johnd7564]

Ten years ago, I had no space in my Zinsco panel to add 240v lines for a shop I was adding to my garage. I talked with an electrician about adding a subpanel but he said, better off getting rid of that Zinsco. Boy was that good advice! I had several breakers that had failed and could never trip, so their circuits had been operating entirely without protection. And the rails were all pitted and burned due to arcing. Glad I had that panel replaced! If nothing else, test those breakers and inspect the panel well!

[@williammoyer9063]

I'm a retired Union Electrician who cut my teeth roping (wiring) houses. Even in 1979 nobody called a Zinsco panel a Zinsco panel, everybody refered to it as Zinsco$hit. Their panels were well known to fail. Right where the jaws of the breaker grab the buss bar it starts to arc and pit. I've seen buss bars that had nearly 3/4's of the bar gone, arced away and the breaker never failed.

[@Jacksonk628]

Wow crazy back then there were many companies that were well known for being fail prone, dangerous. And continued to make products for a little while longer.

[@evansymon5376]

Love this channel. I’m taking my 06B test in WA state in a few months and they ask me questions about this even tho I’m HVAC 😂 I’m a visual person and you help out with that so thank you!

[@TheSkipinatorVids]

8:12 Yep. That's exactly what happened to our Challenger box with Zinsco style breakers in it. Tried to burn down the house. That. Exact. Issue.

[@BW12149]

Recently had a master electrician out to resolve some wiring problems in some outlets. He inspected our panel ( 1981 installed when house was built) and said it was outdated and doesn’t meet code. It was labeled Sylvania GTE. I’m a retired firefighter who dealt with a LOT of fires caused by faulty electrical systems so I Immediately scheduled him back to replace the panel. He changed it to a 200 amp Eaton panel and breakers. He replaced the wiring from the meter into the box. One of my neighbors came over to look at it and realized his panel ( house built 1979) was also out of code and he’s had problems as well. So he’s having his panel replaced as well.

[@jimharris1590]

If your hands were tied---you couldn't talk--haha! Thanks, you do a great Job----Jim

[@emptech]

Cold not wait to get rid of my zinsco panel (went to square D). I remember the aluminum bus bars would melt and blister. Somebody out there came out with aluminum bus bar replacements. I used to sell zinsco, we thought the company went out of business and challenger was the replacement. I remember the prices went up. Get rid of those zinsco breakers, bad news. jim

[@ericirving1092]

really excited to see the pushmatic video! i work as the sole maintenance man in an OLD warehouse. we have 3 pushmatic panels. their branded Buffalo NY pushmatic. 12 110/240v and 5 600v panels i deal with on a regular basis. just on and off stuff and diagnostics as i am not licensed. really love your content!l

[@mcarroll598]

About 20 years ago my buddy called me because he lost power in his kitchen, Zinsco panel. Found the breaker was cracked and melted right where it plugged into the bus. Garbage breakers and panel.

[@GodsLoyalLaborer]

Dustin, Huge fan of your content and you've made me a "wanna be" electrician. You're content is super educational and informative while also being entertaining. I'm a super visual guy and you've covered so many nitty gritty details. God bless you man, you're a hero for sharing your knowledge to the normies like us.

[@MSchley]

My husband who's account this is and son are 4th generation duo they were working on my friends moms house and said it was a zinsco hadn't seen that in a while I said what's a zinsco he gave me his phone with u and I really loved it, for the last 23 years I've learned alot from my father in law husband but this is the stuff I like the history about it all thanks for the great info I'm glad to have learned about ur channel I plan on watching all u have if I ever get a day to binge I will. Keep up the good work ur super awesome

[@Jeff-xy7fv]

Hey, I just did a service upgrade today where the customer had Zinsco breakers! I upgraded the service to 150A and used a Square-D Homeline 150A 30-space panel.

[@jameslong3351]

ZFS -ZinsCo Fire Starters I did industrial/commercial buildings for 40 years. Things like bowling centers, printing plants, food prospering plants. Back in the 50's and 60's bowling centers were installing pinsetter/pinspotting equipment and they originally were 120 volt because all the old building had ancient electrical service. ZinsCo was the panels of choice because they were cheap. I would pull out 2 panels rated @200 amps each and replace them with 400 amp 3 phase panels (2each) just for the pinsetters and ball return systems. The owners were amazed that the building lights wouldn't brown out any more when they turned all the lanes on at once. I have never seen a bowling Center or print shop burn half way down. Most fire departments would just squirt water on the outside of the building and let them burn. Today bowling centers require 1800 amp 3 phase service just for the bowling equipment. Just to much fun......

[@garyf8229]

I worked for an electrical contractor in California in the 1980s and we had an aftermarket Zinsco busbar made of chromed copper that out company had UL listed. It became a bid part of our business.

[@jakesully5402]

Nice explanation, man !!! Interesting the difference in brands from USA and Canada. Only brand I was familiar with that u mentioned was Federal Pacific, and in Canada it is called Federal Pioneer. Same breaker, and notorious for trip failure. I witnessed a single 15 HOLD at 27 amps. Crazy failure. Good informative video. I wish homeowners would watch this explanation of the importance of breaker safety ; it’s never an easy bit of news to recommend a panel change to a client.

[@adrianstoness3903]

came across a 20amp fpe yesterday that was causing a whole panel to over heat drawing only 18amp on it. was in a semi trip state hurt to touch.. changed it out told owner he should either change panel or buy all new fpe breakers as they are all over 40yrs old... pushing 50

[@brandong6244]

Really looking forward to the push-matic breakdown. I have run across a few of these panels. Invaluable information, thanks EU 🤘

[@jamiemale27]

i have one still.. and one other at lease in my neighborhood has one

[@eltonyancey6426]

My house,built in 1948,had this panel when we moved in in.I changed it out in 2008 after hurricane Ike when our power was out. I checked the breakers now and then and did have to replace a few over the years.

[@tbobtrasman4875]

Have come across 1 in my life on my friend's house. Yeah I told him it was crap and need to be updated and that was before I saw this video. Never heard any of this before but I knew a crusty baked breaker was no bueno. Turned out his feed was so old he did not own it. His can and outdoor panel were the property of Duke Power and had been there since the late 40's. I put 3or 4 breakers in over 40 years and I know he had to replace a few after I taught him to fish. (instead of giving him a fish). Love the channel. You explained one of the other "once in my life" experiences; the 208v on one leg to ground/neutral. I did have enough sense to close the box and tell the guy to get a real electrician. Lol

[@randycarter2001]

I tried to point that out to my landlord. The duplex has one of those panels. He never got that it was dangerous and it's still there 15 years later.

[@cancelhandles]

Sounds like a paycheck waiting to happen for whoever lives there under a negligent landlord, including you.

[@brad885]

Time for a new landlord...

[@davidf4037]

Back in the day when I was doing a lot of service work, the boss called me into the office and says...XYZ restaurant called and needs someone to come out and show them "how to turn off the light in the panel". After playing twenty questions with the boss, he didn't really understand what they wanted either, I was sent to check it out asap. The "light in the panel" was off when I arrived but I found it anyhow...an aluminum buss Zinsco with a couple of toasted breakers and partially melted buss bars. I never saw these kind of problems with the older copper buss panels. I did see it several times with the aluminum ones.

[@SOU6900]

That one with the red and blue levers reminds me of the red, blue, green and yellow breakers that I remember mobile homes had installed in them. Update: Something told me to get one Google and try and find out who made said breakers I've seen in mobile homes in the 90s. Seeing USED Zinsco breakers for sale on eBay sent a major chill up my spine.

[@TheAcuarioazul]

Gracias Dustin I learn a lot on every video

[@utah133]

I went to sell a house I had as an investment. The inspection flunked it bc of the aluminum buss Zinsco panel. I was glad I had a licensed electrician friend!

[@steveswoodworking2504]

I've got one of these panels too. One of these days I may replace it, but yes - that's expensive. The breakers for this panel are also super expensive. It's definitely a LOSE/LOSE situation!

[@kurtislane8795]

Great info brother! I’m always recommending replacement. What do you think about the panel retro kits from Eaton? Keep the box, swap out the guts and breakers.

[@TheMachoGabacho]

I have a Zinsco panel on my house. Its funny that they quit making the lanels in the late 70s, and my house was built in 1984. Some contractor probably bought a bunch of old stock stuff and used it. I dint have to replace breakers very often, but when I do they cost a fortune.

[@Sparkeycarp]

Yep, replace them panels! I did not know the new design breakers were made better. The previous contractor I worked for would not let me do any work on Zinsco panels. He simply would not take the liability. He would have me tell the customer "have us replace the panel or get someone else to work on it".

[@PatriotWoman]

THANK YOU! I have a 1971 Zinsco 200 Amp Panel that is in SURPRISINGLY terrific shape. I think the reason being is that the original electrician really spread out the load (which is my current problem now). I've owned the house for 7 months and have done my painstaking due diligence in making a spreadsheet (yes, I'm female and have OCD) that lists every damn switch/receptacle on each breaker. Not once have we tripped a breaker, so I know this is still a solid system and I'd like for it to last maybe another 7-10 years since it's in great shape. But I'm looking at "robbing" some old/defunct items to free up a couple 2-pole 40 amp for a new tankless electric water heater. This was some very useful information, so thank you. Subscribed, and I think I might join. I like your info and delivery!

[@stevencole7331]

Worked on many zinsco panels and only saw 1 that caught fire . Not sure if the reason was a breaker failure . I have seen 50 year old zinsco breakers trip on overload and short circuit with no problem . The problem I see is an arc problem do to loose connections on the breaker terminal . You can see the same problem with neutral terminals and unbalanced loads . Another factor breakers get warm at loads close to overload and if it goes on for long periods it breaks down the plastic over time and makes it brittle . Challenger and ge breakers had higher rates of failure that I have seen over zinsco . Another factor these panels were common in the 70s when aluminum Romex was used . Another connection problem if not landed properly in the panel . I have seen 70 year old zinsco panel bussing as pristine as the day it was installed . Of course it was copper alloy . My problem with them is some of the panel designs make them extremely difficult to get out and damaging them to take a closer look . Sometimes you have to remove them with electrified bussing and that can be dangerous . Some of those 1950s panel only allow to de energize by removing the meter and I don't remove those breakers energized which involves the power company and not being able to solve the problem immediately . All slim and twin breakers appear to be more vulnerable to failure to there full size companions . Arc has been the big problem for circuit protection as short ,overload and ground fault were solved . Then came along arc fault and they have been a wonderful addition to circuit protection. Yes you need to make sure your connections are tight within a circuit . A loose wire nut and your on an adventure searching for that problem . It's harder to trouble shoot but many can tell you what kind of fault your dealing with . Everything becomes less affective over time . A 25 year old breaker should probably be replaced but nobody maintains electrical devices . They just wait till it fails which can lead to bigger problems . I installed arc fault breakers for my daughter's aluminum circuits which was the biggest problem for aluminum wiring and improper connections . Human error is most of the problem with either a connection or maintenance problem .

[@MikeHarris1984]

I'm glad I live out west (Phoenix), out here damn near everything is Eaton/SquareD/Siemens, even on houses that are 100 years old... so either they've been replaced early on, or these weird panels you are going through were not popular here.

[@johnvinga5446]

As a homeowner out west with a 1982 date of build, I checked my panel when looking to add a detached garage. I fortunately have a GE electrical panel, and everything looked fine. But I have discovered close neighbors with commercially built homes (mine was privately built) from the late 1970s to early 1980s have FPE electrical panels with those Stab-Lok breakers. I try to alert people if I learn they have these panels. Then it is up to them to decide regarding replacement.

[@johnstancliff7328]

the house I was raised in had zinsco. I had issues with them and now they are totally expensive! an R38 breaker is now pricing at $75.00! I used to sell them and remember in 1984 when I started working hardware retail that zinsco was discontinued... after that every year the price of the breakers would go up.... always hated the style, just a cheap bad breaker... they were extremely popular in the 1960's and 70's when homes were wired with aluminum wire... manufactured homes of that time used them and I still run across old systems.... totally scary! and homeowners are totally uneducated about electrical safety! they caused too many electrical fires...

[@thiagogatti4511]

Dude. Can you imagine here in Brazil...where, until late 90's, we only had UL code brakers but no UL panels? You can still find a lot of "modern art" with wires connecting them in WOOD PANELS!!!!\0/

[@shanesmith8420]

I worked in Florida with a guy from Brazil. He told me garden hose was what got used for conduit/flex alot that guy taught me a lot of stuff. How to shape pvc to make it look perfect he had so many tricks. I really felt bad sometimes that i was his boss he obviously had more experience than me. Was avery hard working man. But he always came to work like he wasgoing to a cocktail party. Always wore white button down pirate shirt with black slacks .Very charismatic he helped me a lot on the biggest project of my life it turned out to be my opus never reached that scale or monetary value of a single job again. I was very proud when it was done.My boss would bring his other electricians to my job to impress them with the quality of the work my friend Jose was a big part of that.

[@designstudio8013]

If it is dense hardwood no problem.

[@thiagogatti4511]

@@designstudio8013Wood panels are not allowed here anymore by our code. But the biggest problem is oversizing the brakers in wood panels. You can find some 12AWG wires in 50A brakers in some old apartments and houses around.

[@Sparky-ww5re]

Wood panels were apparently common around 100 or so years ago, when homes were first wired. The "panel" would be built on site, oftentimes an asbestos backing would be nailed to the interior, so if fire were to occur it would be less likely to spread outside the panel very smart move before the health risks of asbestos exposure were known. Then porcelain fuse blocks would be installed, finally knob and tube , typically, would be run into this enclosure through ceramic bushings though the sides then connect to the fuse blocks, typically this era until the late 20s or early 30s, they fused both hot and neutral wires.

[@thiagogatti4511]

@@Sparky-ww5re what a lesson, man. Thanks for sharing!!! Here, back in the 60's til late 70', we only had wood panels crafted on site but with no treatment against fire or something like. We had those porcelan fuses too and a "dry switch".

[@bruceaux174]

I replaced my early 1980’s Zinsco panel after the 30amp wiring to the water heater fried without tripping the breaker.

[@rtex8563]

Could you do a video comparing square d QO vs Homeland equipment for residential use?

[@illestofdemall13]

Homeline

[@charlesjohnson6073]

Haha homeland!!

[@bloodsongsToolreviews]

There is a video suggestion channel in the discord server , he has trouble reading all the KZbin comments but he's good about reading the suggestion channel in discord

[@computerrodeollc]

Homelite series

[@rjrosa2438]

Great video!

[@harveypaxton1232]

Thanks for the history lesson. Actually, any panel over twenty years old should be replaced. Exception would be Square D QO. We used to retrofit copper buss bars into the Zinsco panel. Even the newer panels should have the breakers exercised annually and the tightness to the buss bar checked.

[@jsparlin1]

zinsco/chall relation.. over 50 yrs in trade, never knew, now it makes sense.. zins..always burnt a hole in the middle.always pricey and hard to source.

[@19993gt]

Ayeeee notifilcation lol great vid

[@diysguy7277]

Thank you very informative and useful info

[@TheSkinnzer]

Holy crap! Those breakers are the first breakers I ever saw burn through each other 😅🤣😅. I saw those in my first year in the field as an HVAC Tech, and I'm now doing Electricity, and none of 20 year experience guys could tell anything them, I ended up teaching them. Have you ever replaced one? I've replaced a couple lmao

[@samuelcrossland1101]

Awesome job explaining the history and the what, when, and why. Counterfeit circuit breakers need to be addressed too. First time I came upon one it was a really trusted, time tested brand and series.

[@benkeysor7576]

All I can say is I'm glad I've always been a fan of Square D and GE for electrical panels. I've had a Square D Homeline panel in my house for over 10 years and it's never had any issues with it.

[@qasion]

I have Zinsco panel with its circuit breakers, condo sitting, been installed since 1978, working flawlessly, never have a problem.

[@jah0524]

Same situation. Live in a condo built in 1978. Zinsco panel. We had a short circuit in a electrical socket in the kitchen. Huge sparks everywhere. Zinsco panel did not trip. We replaced the panel.

[@MandenTV]

As a plumber, I hate working around sparkies on a job site but I absolutely respect what you guys do and enjoy watching what you guys do on on a job. Awesome vids, brother.

[@edwinferguson8337]

Great job.

[@BYENZER]

Well done! FYI: ELEC supply houses sell upgraded replacement Zinsco breaker 'TREES'. If cust juat won't bite a new panel, sell em a full tree and breaker swapout. Done and SAFE.

[@Mac_Raymond]

I have a zinco panel at my home. One electrician says he would fully replace it, and another says he can rebuild it. If I were to have it rebuilt would it be safe?

[@BYENZER]

@@Mac_Raymond Yes. And cheaper too. The only issue is, compared to a new panel's cheaper breakers, replacement Zinsco breakers are comparativly expensive. Get bids. If rebuild is only 25% of a full panel changeout, then just rebuild it. Over 25%, get a full panel changeout.

[@steve-o6413]

That was some of the best detailed information of the History of Service Hardware I've seen so far, thanks for sharing...

[@ben--]

My father does not want to replace the old Zinsco/GTE panel in his house, he thinks it's a 'waste of money' to replace something that has not "failed" yet. I'll check to see if a full breaker swap out could be OKed, but i'm not holding my breath.

[@richardc7433]

Some people have that mind set they are simple minded. Go buy a hair dryer plug it into a whip and test if it trips the 15 amp circuits. You could buy a meter that does that but depends how much you want to drop to test a panel. If he still doesn’t see why and you have proof just force him he is being naive and irresponsible. Customers just leave a card got when they need to call back 😂

[@efc1180]

Very great channel you have there bud to get good info for us 👍 Maybe a video From this 4 brands QO - Eaton - Siemens And General electric of what u know are 100% trustworthy irrelevant the price or in what other you place them from 1 to 4 and why? And I saw panels on ur videos 100 - 125 -200 with many breakers 40 30 60 15 20 added together passing the main breaker of 125 200 100 is that important or irrelevant the main breaker number?

[@jimanderson4495]

Hi Dustin. What’s a good 100 amp sub brand to put in my detached 4 car garage? Thanks. Appreciate the time putting these uploads together.

[@lakorai2]

Square D QO series would be top notch. Get the plug-on-neutral bars so you can easily install AFCI and AFCI/GFCI combo breakers without having to use a pigtail for the neutral.

[@jimanderson4495]

@@lakorai2 Thanks for the info.

[@wim0104]

depends what you get up to in your 4bay garage. any Tesla Model X that need recharging overnight? etc...

[@buzzpedrotti5401]

I have a 1989 Challenger panel. Thanks. Will replace it.

[@johnkulpowich5260]

Excellent

[@SuperVstech]

You should point out to ALL your members and viewers that DUKE ENERGY has a free replacement program... call your power company. I know NC has the program.

[@jadonjanderson769]

what do you think would be a good replacement for gte Sylvania/zinsco panel?

[@gnrfan713]

How does a single slot 240 breaker work? Doesn't it need to take up two spots so it's getting both sides of the bus bar to get 240v?

[@thereelangler2391]

I just had a Zinsco panel replaced on a condo remodel I'm on. What a mess.

[@resarfekim]

Owned this house for about 15 years. Over time, I've had about 8 Zinsco breakers fail - they trip, and cannot reset. I've never actually had one trip and then was able to reset.

[@byronraymond244]

What’s up man! Love the content!

[@8bitter696]

You should do a video on pushmatic

[@laraobrady1710]

Hey. I like your content. I am teaching people in the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program and I wanted to use your video. Unfortunately, there was one F-Bomb. I know it isn't an issue for others randomly watching the video but it means I can't link it to my trainings. I just wanted you to be aware that one swear word means I can't use your video. This is disappointing because it was super clear and had really good content. Keep up the good work. If you are so inclined, think about bleeping out any swear words.

[@patrickhynes6058]

@laraobrady1710 - have you thought about pre watching his videos and marking the time marks of his videos where there are 4 letter words - then muting the volumes during that time? Probably easier than asking a YT creator to change their style or re-edit a 3 year old video for one narrow use case.

[@HamiltonMechanical]

WOOHOO! Finally someone mentions inspectapedia! we really need to be friends in real life man haha! now we need a pushmatic video!

[@SudburyMan]

Agreed Push-O-Matic required

[@stevebabiak6997]

Inspectapedia is the correct spelling

[@HamiltonMechanical]

@@stevebabiak6997 thanks!

[@designstudio8013]

Do you need to unplug devices to protect them from lightning surges and spikes? I assume cutting them off has no effect since the lightning uses the wire.

[@lakorai2]

Federal Pacific is also very dangerous

[@alrivera8363]

They renamed the brand "Fire Specific".

[@BLud_Bro_FoE]

I have ran into two of these existing panels,had to order the breakers I needed,the breaker had melted I remember now

[@nickcheatle3927]

Another quality video!!

[@shloomyshloms]

we lived in a house with zinsco breakers, we had problems with them tripping way below their rating.

[@ROMANEMPIRE69]

I was expecting you to have som of those “light switch” looking breakers like the ones that used to be in my parents house until they upgraded the panel.

[@Neil-ym8vy]

Haven't ran into any Zinsco breakers. Must be used mostly in the west coast and midwest.

[@the_expidition427]

There are a few on the east coast

[@MedusalObligation]

At least my house has Zinsco Service entry and breaker panel and a Federal Pacific StabLok sub panel. (Fingers in ears singing lalalalalala.) Time to do some work.

[@andrewalexander9492]

What is the difference between "Subscribing" and "joining" ? And why don't I see a "join" button next to the "subscribe" button on the Electrician U home page, like it shows in this video clip during Dustin's plea to subscribe?

[@peasanthill5255]

Like your videos. So tell me...is it the panels themselves or the old breakers that are the problem? We are realtors and run into these when do home inspections. Usually means several thousand in concessions. Is the panel name now getting a bad rap for a breaker problem?

[@joshm3342]

The panel design uses plated aluminum bus bars, which are not great, but not against code. But Zinsco panels will ONLY accept Zinsco breakers, which are no longer UL LISTED, and also NO possibility of installing Arc-Fault Interruptor breakers. So, the PANEL cannot be upgraded, and the only breakers which fit are QUESTIONABLE.

[@Super043]

This video made me go check what kind of panel I had lol (thankfully not one if these, it was Siemens)

[@kpmac2971]

My entire neighborhood of 226 homes built in 1992-94 has Challenger panels.

[@WyattH]

Same around me but commander panels

[@SuperVstech]

MANY neighborhood panel runs were installed by the power company. As such, duke energy has a FREE panel replacement program... call your power company.

[@mackfisher4487]

Help: I cant find the article by Dr. Aristide (spelling?) can you provide a link? Also If possible could you turn on subtitles on your KZbin channel?

[@haywoodyoudome]

Subtitles are on. Learn how to click the CC button.

[@charletonzimmerman4205]

Long story, I'll help, as I started electrical, 1972, @ 18, like Federal Homeline, it was $$$, Cost, Zinsco was "CHEAPER". General Contractors, wanted the Least, expensive Electrical Subcontractor "BID".

[@texanmetalhead1]

Replaced a Federal Pacific a few days ago

[@ryanbrady5968]

got two zinsco panels over at my moms place -- main panel/service on the house and a sub panel on the garage. i remember putting in a 50A welding circuit in the garage and that 50A zinsco breaker was not cheap!

[@davidroddini1512]

Where can I find more info on ITE during their “Walker division” time period? I found information online about them prior to acquiring Walker and information after they merged with Imperial-Easton. However, I can’t find any information on them after acquiring Walker but before merging with Imperial. I ask because my breaker box was made by ITE during this time.

[@ytmachx]

There is no problem with these breakers when they are on a copper buss.Sylvania is the one who ruined the panels. I have been changing these buss bars to factory made tin plated copper for many years. Bare copper works well also. I change them in 200 and 400 amp panels as well and never another problem. As far as tripping under load, they work great no problem.

[@Mac_Raymond]

I have a zinco panel at my home. One electrician says he would fully replace it, and another says he can rebuild it. If I were to have it rebuilt would it be safe?

[@gh067]

Hey tool idea for your website, what about tool vests. Ox has a ok one, but i didn't like the set up.

[@mdunbar008]

Okay, I have a house that was upgraded to Zinsco breakers in 1986, it is a SYLVANIA brand panel with the Zinsco style breakers in it. Is it at risk for failure, or is it new enough?

[@Merescat]

recommend to replace

[@gabewhisen3446]

Cool video I love history

[@Soldier4Christ96]

Thank a for the video, in my zinsco panel I have a 15amp breaker with a yellow test on it, it has two neutral wire. It seems to be a overload protection. I only see used ones can I replace it with a regular 15 am breaker or do I need to replace it with the same. The breaker control the man cave

[@ElectricianU]

Gonna need a lot more information to be helpful. Hop into the discord server or shoot me some pictures of what you going on. Thank you. discord.com/invite/7ykYfbh

[@JohnM1774]

Excellent Video as usual

[@chipethecat]

We’ve had an 80s Challenger panel fail that way bus bar was all melted and burned.

[@teamsilva7563]

If money is tight, what are your thoughts on having all the breakers replaced with the new zinsco breakers, and also a new bus bar? How safe would that be?

[@jstoney6471]

Spent 25 years as a Construction Inspector (Civil, Structural, Mechanical,Electrical) so KNOW where this is!

[@smartchip]

Like artisan electrical spoke about, with ele u, testing and inspecting, is a must, the electrical code aka regulations are converging around the world from Oz to USA, so let's not get tribal, its all good,

[@syitiger9072]

How do you feel about pushmatic

[@Gravelbomber]

My pedestal meter is where my main shutoff is. It's Milbank, and uses both square D homeline and Milbank UQFP, which mounts just like the Zinsco. When I bought the Milbank breaker, it had Zinsco written in marker on the box.

[@eddiemook84]

Lol I live in north eastern Ohio more homes with knob n tube still than you can shake a stick at and tons of FnP panels still in operation. I’ve been in the trade for 15 years, specializing in total re-wires of 1920s construction with knob n tube. We have a shortage of electricians who can do this work. What few people there are getting into the trades these days are doing new construction nobody wants to do remodels as far as I can tell.

[@gamingandvloging1117]

Love the content