October is Fire Prevention Month:

Safeguard Your Home with Hillside Expert Electrical

by Gary  October 15, 2023 

At Hillside Expert Electrical, your trusted Pasadena Electrician, we understand the importance of Fire Prevention Month.  October serves as a crucial reminder to prioritize electrical safety, especially as the fall season unfolds and households gear up for colder months. As experts in the field, we are here to share essential tips and precautions to safeguard your home from electrical fires and ensure your family’s safety.


Seasonal Precautions for

Electrical Safety:


  1. Inspect Your Wiring: Regularly check your electrical wiring for signs of wear, damage, or fraying. Faulty wiring is a leading cause of electrical fires.
  2. Be Mindful of Appliances: Plug only one heat producing appliance in an outlet at a time. Do not use appliances with damaged cords. Do not overload power strips.
  3. Install Tamper-Resistant Outlets: If you have small children, you will want to install safety. These receptacles have spring-loaded shutters that close off the contact openings, or slots, of the receptacles. They are generally called TR Receptacles.
  4. Smoke Alarms & CO Detectors: Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries annually. These small devices can make a life-saving difference in the event of a fire. Having functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home.
  5. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs): GFCIs prevent electrical shocks and are essential in areas where water and electricity might meet, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
  6. Don’t Overload Outlets: Avoid overloading electrical outlets and use power strips with built-in circuit breakers to prevent overheating.


With California's unique dry climate that is prone to fire hazards. We must take extra precautions prioritizing the safety of your home. Whether you're in Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank or the surrounding regions please contact us if you are concerned and would like an inspection. It is good to schedule regular electrical inspections with Hillside Expert Electrical. We will address potential issues before they escalate. Our skilled technicians can pinpoint faulty wiring, damaged outlets, or outdated appliances that might pose risks. Older homes often have outdated wiring that may not meet modern safety standards.


Consider upgrading to newer, safer wiring systems to prevent electrical overloads and short circuits. Be mindful of the appliances you use and avoid overloading circuits. If an appliance shows signs of malfunction, such as flickering lights or tripped circuit breakers, have it inspected and repaired promptly. Ensure that outdoor outlets and appliances are weatherproof. Invest in weather-resistant covers for outlets and keep electrical cords protected from rain and dampness.


Educate Your Family

You and your family's safety are most important. Educate your family members about basic electrical safety practices, such as avoiding water near outlets, not yanking cords from sockets, and recognizing the warning signs of electrical problems. Knowledge is key to prevention.


Download this Free Fire Safety Check List for you and your family to print out.

Knob and tube wiring, Whole House Rewire, electrical hazard

Electrical Fire Facts:

Between 2015 and 2019, home structure fires were frequently linked to electrical distribution and lighting equipment, including wiring, lighting fixtures, cords, and plugs.


On average, there were approximately 32,620 reported cases of these fires annually during this period. Tragically, these incidents resulted in an average of 430 civilian fatalities and 1,070 civilian injuries each year.


The direct property damage caused by these fires amounted to a staggering $1.3 billion annually.


These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for heightened awareness and preventive measures to ensure the safety of homes and lives.


At Hillside Expert Electrical, we prioritize your safety above all else. By following these tips and being mindful of seasonal precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of electrical fires in your home.


Don't hesitate to contact us for professional electrical inspections, repairs, or to address any concerns you may have. Let’s work together to make this Fire Prevention Month a safer, more secure time for your family and home.


Call Today!

Zinsco Electrical Panels

by Gary | Jan 27, 2023 | Panel Upgrade

Zinsco Panels in Older Homes

Zinsco Electrical Panels, commonly installed in older homes up until the 1970s, have been known to cause fire hazards and may need to be replaced. If your home still has its original wiring, electrical panels, and appliances, you may need to replace these soon to prevent possible fire danger and other issues. Be especially cautious when dealing with older wiring. A panel upgrade may be needed if your home still has the original Zinsco panel. 


Are Zinsco Panels Safe?

According to the American Housing Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half of all homes in the country were constructed before 1980 and would contain these panels if not replaced already. Zinsco panels often fail to function properly, putting homeowners and their homes at risk of electrical shock and fire.  As many as 25% of Zinsco circuit breakers could fail to trip in response to an overcurrent or short circuit, creating a potentially hazardous situation. 


Zinsco Box Breaker Box Problems

The electrical boards that have circuit breakers or fuses for all of your home's electrical circuits are referred to as circuit breaker panels. Circuit breaker panels are an essential home safety component. In the event of a power outage or overload, the breaker stops the flow of electricity. If a breaker can no longer trip in the event of an over-current or short circuit, an enormous quantity of power from the outside electrical supply surges into a home's panel and circuits. Once this occurs, it cannot be halted or turned off manually. Electricity will continue to burn until the fuel runs out or the wires melt. The panel could overheat and catch fire, endangering the home and its residents.


Zinsco Electrical Panel Fire Hazard

The old Zinsco panels are problematic due to the usage of aluminum bus bars. If a breaker melts to the panel's bus bar and can no longer appropriately trip in the event of an over-current or short circuit, an enormous quantity of power from the outside electrical supply surges into a home's electrical panel and circuits. Once this occurs, it cannot be halted or turned off manually. Electricity will continue to burn until the fuel runs out or the wires melt. The panel could overheat and catch fire, endangering the home and its residents.


The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes the National Electrical Code(r) (NEC (r) to give advice for residential and commercial electrical safety requirements in the United States. It is updated every three years to guarantee that people are safe from electrical shocks, fire hazards, and other electrical hazards. However, since aluminum is utilized in these older circuit breaker boxes, the safety requirements do not apply to the Zinsco panels. It cannot assist people who are currently in danger.


Are all Zinsco Panels bad?

According to tests, approximately one-third of Zinsco panels did not trip, according to InspectAPedia. This could be a risky situation given that circuit panel is crucial to regulate the flow of electricity into your home.  An older home's Zinsco panel might not be able to handle additional issues that will spring up as you begin upgrading your appliances. For example, the Zinsco panel would not be able to handle the power needed for a new air conditioning unit.  When you anticipate needing a lot of power, it's critical to check that your electrical system is current otherwise you may need a panel upgrade.

 

Zinsco Panel Recall

The issues with the Zinsco electric panel should have led to the recall of the Zinsco panels. However, the company did not recall the panels. Instead, the business was sold in 1973.  Then eventually the business shut down, so you can't get in touch with them to get your electrical panel upgraded.

Does your home insurance cover your electric panel?

Please contact your insurance agent if you have any queries about your coverage or if your home cannot be insured because of your panels and circuit breakers.

Zinsco Class Action Lawsuit

In a 2002 class action lawsuit over their hazardous electrical panels, Zinsco and Federal Pacific Electric were found guilty of fraud by the New Jersey Court for failing to test their circuit breakers to ensure they operated by the required standard. According to the Consumer Fraud Act, businesses are required to be transparent and upfront about the testing and goods they use. Companies were unaware of the breaker's existence because of its high failure rate.


New Insurance Policies will consider all Risks

When an insurance company, is presenting you with a policy, they must take all risks into account. Due to the potential for electrical shock, Zinsco panels have a history of starting fires or seriously hurting people. As a homeowner, you are liable for any injuries that occur on your property. This is especially true if you were aware that it was possible that someone could be injured, but you did nothing about it. Zinsco panels are a dangerous product and need to be upgraded.


A Zinsco electric panel can be used to increase the cost of insurance on your home. Even if you locate a firm ready to sell you a policy, your premium for home insurance will most likely be greater than you anticipated. Home inspectors pay special attention to a house's electrical panel since it may pose a safety risk. The inspector will look at the wiring, electrical panels, and outlets. Zinsco electrical panels, which are no longer approved by the electrical code, may cause you to fail a home inspection.


Zinsco Breaker Panel Replacement Cost

A new electric panel costs between $5000 and $7,500. However, if you have an older home, you may require further work. A licensed electrician should replace a Zinsco circuit breaker panel to ensure safety. Replacing the Zinsco circuit breakers may be less expensive than dealing with the added dangers. Licensed electricians should be insured and bonded to ensure that you can trust their services. The safety of your family is more important than the cost of the work. It is critical to make sure that your home is not a fire hazard and that you have adequate insurance coverage. While it is impossible to predict every possible consequence, you can reduce this risk by getting a panel upgrade.


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