Old Electric Panel Breaker/Fuse Boxes Should be Inspected and Replaced

Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, Zinsco and Sylvania were producing were producing electrical panels.
Sylvania took over the Zinsco brand. These electrical panels from the late 1970s and early 1980s when Sylvania bought out Zinsco have an inconsistent history of various problems. Unfortunately for consumers, they were installed in most of the homes built during that time. For most homes, these panels are outdated by today’s standards. They can also be dangerous.

Old electrical panels can be a fire hazard.

Old electrical panels can be a fire hazard.

These Zinsco and Sylvania panels have flaw in their design. The the circuit breaker’s connection to the bus bar becomes loose, causing arcing (sparking) and subsequent overheating, which creates a potential fire hazard. The bus bar is a metallic strip (typically copper or brass) that conducts electricity within the electrical panel. Zinsco and Sylvania circuit breakers may fail to trip in response to an overcurrent or a short circuit. A circuit breaker that may not trip does not afford the protection that is intended and required, which may cause a fire.

Federal Pacific (FPE) panels and breakers produced between the 1950s and the 1980s are a hazard because the circuit breakers appear to be working properly. But if there is an overcurrent, short circuit or similar condition, the breakers fail to trip, leading to electrical fires. Approximately 1 in 4 breakers are defective and do not trip.

Showing FLIR Thermal Images of Electric Breaker Panels in Texas

Showing FLIR Thermal Images of Electric Breaker Panels in Texas

These panels are no longer manufactured. Some replacement parts might be available, but they could be difficult to find and expensive to buy. Simply replacing the circuit breakers and other parts might not be a reliable repair. Experts recommend replacing the panel. There isn’t an official recall on these panels since the companies that made these panels are out of business.

The electrical panel is one of the most important parts of an electrical system. It constantly distributes and receives electricity. The panel protects your home from power surges and other possible hazards. With regular maintenance by a licensed electrician, electrical panels with current safety standards can function properly and protect homes for 30 years or more.

If Your home is equipped with a Federal Pacific (FPE) or Zinsco/Sylvania electrical panel,
you should hire a licensed electrician to examine it for potential problems.
Call Berkeys today for an evaluation by a licensed electrician.

Homeowners are more dependent on electricity than ever before. Most people have at least one computer, multiple televisions/entertainment centers, cell phones and other devices that require electricity. If your electrical system has not been upgraded, it may be overburdened. We recommend having a licensed Berkeys electrician evaluate your panel for safety.

You can call Berkeys Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical 24/7. Berkeys is located at 2875 Market Loop, Southlake, TX, 76092. Phone: 877-746-6855 or visit berkeys.com for questions and scheduling information or on Facebook at Facebook.com/Berkeys.

Berkeys Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical services the greater DFW area including, but not limited to: Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, Keller, Arlington, Grapevine, Flower Mound, McKinney, Irving and more. Check out Berkeys Plumbing AC and Electrical reviews or see Berkeys A+ BBB Rating to confirm Berkeys is a company you can trust.