We would like to help you to Identify your Residential Zinsco Circuit Breakers with Pictures
Zinsco History
Zinsco was originally the West Coast division of the Frank Adam Electric Company, whose main facility was in St Louis, Missouri, the company became independent as the Zinsmeyer Company following the onset of the Great Depression. The younger Zinsmeyer took over the company from his father in 1943 and renamed it Zinsco.[1] The company was sold in 1973 to GTE-Sylvania, who continued to manufacture breakers and panels to the original Zinsco design for some years; this product line is now discontinued.
The original Zinsco, Magna-trip Circuit Breakers came in Full Size Only. they we 3/4 Inch per Pole. They are called T-Type or
Feed Through because they would be installed, not by plugging them in but connecting them to a claw shaped piece of
copper that held more than one breaker
Below original Zinsco Feed Through with feed through mounting.
Please notice the copper red bracket in the Picture. Originals were mounted like this.
Zinsco Circuit Breakers have been color coded to make it easier to identify, especially when the amperage on the handle is worn off.
Colors are as described below
blue
15 Amp |
red or Orange
20 Amp |
green
30 Amp |
grey
40 Amp |
black
50 Amp |
white
60 Amp |
These, if used as Feed Through are Not no longer available unless it is used
Replacements are being made if used as a plug-in
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Then the same were made for Plug-In with a clip on the rear that can be reversed to choose what phase
you wish to use. These can be used for feed through or Plug in (remove clip if used as feed through)
The picture on the right shows the clip that is reversable to choose what phase.
It can also be removed to use as feed through
These may have Black handles for all amperages or the colored handles
For the plug in style there is a replacement being made
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Now here is the Half Size. They are sometimes called piggy-back or Cheeters.
The R-38 is two 1 pole circuits that Work Independently of each other
The RC-38 is a Two Pole with the handles connected
Half Sizes are made so you can add more circuit to the panel by replacing full size with this half size.
Half size Zinsco R-38 RC-38 came with and without handel ties, and the wire was connected by a screw
or push pins or push pins
Half size R38-30 Poles Each Independent Half size 2 Pole see the Half Size 1 Poles Each
The grey one in the center is the new handles are connected Independent not connected
Replacement Circuit Breaker
Buy 2 pole and Piggyback NOW For $48.00
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Here is the Full Size Zinsco Plug-ins
These are 3/4 inch wide per pole. Avoid the ones with the colored handles. The New Replacements meet today’s standards.
One poles are Type Q
Buy Now for $24.00
Two Poles are Type QC
Buy Now for $48.00
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Zinsco Replacement Buss Bar Kits
There is a replacement Buss Bar Kit that is available if yous are Pitted. It is an economical solution if
replacing the panel is not an option
Buy Now for $79.00