The electrical panel is often one of the last things homeowners pay attention to. Most homes still have the original panel installed since the 1970’s. As long as it works, why should you care right? Wrong. You might get a nasty surprise when you are seeking home insurance. Most insurance companies refuse to insure homeowners that have the flowing three electrical panels in their home.
- Zinsco or Zinsco-Sylvania
Zinsco electrical panels, also known as Zinsco-Sylvania, were installed in homes built in the 1970’s across North America. Homes across America started experiencing the following issues with the panels that lead to a halt in production.
- Corrosion of the bus bar
- Aluminum components were found in the panel
- The panel was conducting power while the breakers were switched off
- The bus bar and breaker connection were not solid
Some homes still have this panel installed. Electricians recommend immediate replacement.
- Federal Pacific Electric Panels
Most homes built between the 1950’s and 1980’s had Federal Pacific Electric Panels installed. These panels were a popular choice for designer and home builders. They seemed to work perfectly in the beginning. However, after a few years, they would overheat, short circuit and cause house fires. Class action lawsuits revealed the Federal Pacific Electric Company had violated the Consumer Fraud Act because they purposefully distributed circuit breakers that did not meet standards.
- Fuse Panels
Homes today are built with circuit breakers instead of fuse panels. This is mostly due to the high demand for electricity needed for all of the modern day conveniences. The number of fuses compared to the high demand of electricity in modern homes is insufficient. This means some homeowners that have fuse panels often install fuses too large for the wires. This is a potential fire hazard.
Insurance agencies don’t want to pay out tons of claims for any reason. They have learned over the years that Zinsco, Zinsco-Sylvania, Federal Pacific Electric and Fuse panels have been the cause of house fires. This specific reason causes insurance agencies to reject homeowners. This forces homeowners to replace the dangerous electric panels.
If you are planning to purchase a home it is wise to check the type of electrical panel before making a decision. Keep in mind that most banks will not offer you a loan unless the house is properly insured. An old circuit breaker can halt your dreams of owning a home quickly. If you plan to sell your house that has an old panel, this can also cause an issue and deter buyers. Contact an electrician today to make sure your home has a safe electric panel installed.
My name is Kent Crook, owner and President of Miami Electric Masters. Let me share with you what my company is all about, particularly if you’re looking for electrical services. From the beginning, I established a company culture that places the highest value on customer service. What does that mean to you? It means that our fully licensed and insured all-star team of service personnel are highly trained—but that training doesn’t stop. Each employee undergoes ongoing hours of training to keep our skills on the cutting edge. When they visit your home or business, they want you to give you a sense of comfort in knowing that your electrical needs are being addressed in a way far above industry standards. I often show up on the job site because I take personal interest in each assignment and in fostering a productive relationship with each customer. I make sure that our trucks are stocked with thousands of parts, so that you won’t have to hear the phrase, “Well, we have to order this part. It will take several days to get back to you.” I put my name on what my staff does in serving you, including same-day service and emergency service on a 24/7 basis. Incidentally, you can find in our web site MiamiElectricMasters.com our Code of Ethics. Each employee must subscribe to and follow the listed elements in this Code, which assures you of quality service that is more than a motto or slogan.
