Thread: Another hot Zinsco

I smelled this one before I even opened the panel, hmmm burning plastic.

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The Zinsco panels that are part of the meter panel are designed to only be opened after the meter has been removed since no protection is present to keep the cover from tilting into the main lugs. Whoever designed these is an idiot. Then, of course, you have the regular zinsco issue that requires replacement anyway so removing the cover is not even needed.

"hot" would also be a little easier to ascertain if you showed spot temps in your IR pics...


Jus saying!

Originally Posted by Mike Gault

"hot" would also be a little easier to ascertain if you showed spot temps in your IR pics...


Jus saying!

I dont show temps on my images. But if you must know, it was over 200+ degrees above ambient...just sayn

Its my dumb question time. How is a panel inspected using an IR camera? I can understand how a circuit with an operating load is inspected. However I don't understand the examination of a circuit that is not in use. This seems to make examination of a panel largely dependent on luck, ie only valuable for circuits in use.



Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by Darrel Hood

Its my dumb question time. How is a panel inspected using an IR camera? I can understand how a circuit with an operating load is inspected. However I don't understand the examination of a circuit that is not in use. This seems to make examination of a panel largely dependent on luck, ie only valuable for circuits in use.



Thanks in advance.

Well, with residential, I load the panel with whatever is avialable to me which isnt typically more than lights. But..if the panel performs in a manner such as this, under minimal or no load imagine what happens under heavy load.
With Zinsco I dont rely on temps for my evaluation. If I find any heat within the panel I write it up. I have 3 panel boards in my garage that I scanned and were later replaced, all had damaged busses and, ALL were less than 100 degrees of ambient.

Nother.... The only load was the microwave, range LCD and a 40Watt bulb.

Originally Posted by Marc M

Nother.... The only load was the microwave, range LCD and a 40Watt bulb.

Hi, Marc

Was the Microwave on at the moment you were inspecting the panel? Did you turn it on for 15 mins then went to open the panel?

I am curious how the breakers get the temp without load.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Peter Louis

Hi, Marc

Was the Microwave on at the moment you were inspecting the panel? Did you turn it on for 15 mins then went to open the panel?

I am curious how the breakers get the temp without load.

Thanks

Peter,
look closely at the 10/1/2011 image
it's doubtful those appliances & general lighting are on those 220/240 V ocd, ymmv

hny

Originally Posted by Peter Louis

Hi, Marc

Was the Microwave on at the moment you were inspecting the panel? Did you turn it on for 15 mins then went to open the panel?

I am curious how the breakers get the temp without load.

Thanks

Dont remember but doubt it.