Garage electrical help

[stioc]

I want to run a couple of 20A circuits in the garage. My house has the old 100A Zinsco stype main panel with only 2 slots left. The zinsco breakers are $$ so I was thinking about installing a sub-panel in the garage. I noticed there's a 30A dual breaker (2-pole?) in the main panel that was used for a jacuzzi at one time but no longer used. I'm trying to come up with a way to use that for the sub-panel. For the sub-panel I don't need much, just a $30 4 slot panel will do. Assuming I will not be using more than 30A at a time I should be OK using the existing 30A breaker as the main feed to the sub-panel. But if I did the 30A breaker will (should ) trip and I should be fine?

The only things I have that require 20A circuits are my small welder, smallish compressor and the mid-rise lift. None of which I'll operate at the same time.

The other option is to run two new 20A circuits from the main panel and be done with it. Is there anyway to reuse the 30A 2-pole breaker for this or do I have to buy 2 20A zinsco breakers?

 

[Terry Kennedy]

I want to run a couple of 20A circuits in the garage. My house has the old 100A Zinsco stype main panel with only 2 slots left. The zinsco breakers are $$ so I was thinking about installing a sub-panel in the garage. [...] But if I did the 30A breaker will (should ) trip and I should be fine?

Zinsco is one of the brands of old breakers / panels that you need to be very cautious with. While probably not as bad as Federal Pacific breakers / panels, there are a number of reports of failure-to-trip instances, some leading to fires in the panel. See here, for example.

I would be very reluctant to use a Zinsco breaker as a breaker for a sub-panel. I'd suggest replacing the main panel with a more modern brand with a better reputation. For example, a Sqare D 40-position 'QO" panel (considered by many to be one of the best available today) is $192 at Home Depot. Given that installation costs for any replacement panel will be similar, it doesn't make any sense to me to go for a smaller or lesser-grade panel.

If UBI Zinsco-type breakers are anything like the UBI FPE breakers, you're looking at between $50 and $100 for a 2-pole breaker anyway, and that doesn't address the shortcomings in the panel itself.

I replaced a pair of FPE panels with 3 Square D panels, which you can see here. Plenty of room for future expansion and breakers are much less expensive (about $15 for a 2-pole). Also, you can easily get GFCI and AFCI breakers for this panel.

As always, when discussing these old panels, I suggest you have an electrician look inside the panel and give you an opinion on its condition and suitability for the additional load. Do be alert for either excessive scare tactics ("you need to change this right away") if not backed up by a credible explanation, or for "don't worry, be happy" (unlikely when an electrician looks at this type of panel, but can happen when a home inspector looks at it).

 

[dipper]

I vote for replacement. you can even get the Square D Homeline panels for cheaper than the QO; and it's still lightyears ahead of the FPE in safety and convenience for additional breakers. I replaced an old wadsworth panel in my basement; while also bringing it up to code with the addition of a ground rod also. IMHO, Spend the money now, and you will get have the peace of mind that you house is not going to burn down at any second. You will get the money back when/if you ever sell; cause you won't be able to sell it with the Zinsco/FPE panel installed.

 

[pmiranda]

I also vote replacement. Our old house had a Federal Pacific and when it came time to do some remodeling, it was gone. Nice bonus is that breakers for our new GE panel are cheap and readily available anywhere.

 

[stioc]

I agree they're not good panels but our whole neighborhood is wired with them. Two, the new panels and breakers are not expensive the replacement of the main panel is a big job and I really don't want to spend $1k just because I want two 20A circuits in the garage.

 

[trainer]

I ran a 30 amp, 4 slot panel to my old workshop. I used the old breaker where a dryer circuit was removed.

It runs a 2000 watt, 240v heater, a light fixture and a few outlets. 3 circuits in total.

I already had the 4 slot panel, but I also added a general purpose switch with 30 amp fuses in it as a main disconnect for the shop. I paid about $25 for the switch.

If for whatever reason the breaker in the main panel doesnt "see" a fault, in the shop, then the fuses will take care of it.

 

[stioc]

I ran a 30 amp, 4 slot panel to my old workshop. I used the old breaker where a dryer circuit was removed.

It runs a 2000 watt, 240v heater, a light fixture and a few outlets. 3 circuits in total.

I already had the 4 slot panel, but I also added a general purpose switch with 30 amp fuses in it as a main disconnect for the shop. I paid about $25 for the switch.

If for whatever reason the breaker in the main panel doesnt "see" a fault, in the shop, then the fuses will take care of it.

Cool, so I haven't seen any 30AMP panels with 4 spaces (btw, why does it say x space and x2 circuits, e.g. 2 spaces 4 circuits)? All I've seen is 60AMP panels but if you feed it off a 30AMP circuit effectively it's a 30A panel right? or is there a difference between a 30A vs. a 60A panel? Also, can you tell me a bit more about this general purpose switch, I'm not sure I've seen them.

 

[ricleh]

Here is a good source for the Zinsco breakers. I have bought both new and reconditioned breakers from them and have had no problems. I have a 100A panel in my garage and the last two breakers I purchased were 40A and 50A 240V breakers for my compressor and welder. I also have 3 separate 20A 120V circuits and an additional 20A 240V circuit for my 240V equipment.


http://www.pacificcoastbreaker.com/catalog/219


Rick

 

[trainer]

Cool, so I haven't seen any 30AMP panels with 4 spaces (btw, why does it say x space and x2 circuits, e.g. 2 spaces 4 circuits)? All I've seen is 60AMP panels but if you feed it off a 30AMP circuit effectively it's a 30A panel right? or is there a difference between a 30A vs. a 60A panel? Also, can you tell me a bit more about this general purpose switch, I'm not sure I've seen them.

heres a link with the 30a switch on it. It's rated for 30 amps and takes regular glass fuses.http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/1907732

I just googled the image, and have no idea about the place that sells them

I've got a 60a, 4 slot federal pioneer stab lock pony panel that was left over from when i upgraded my house service a few years ago.

Since theres only #10 awg wire run out there, things are limited to 30 amps.

 

[stioc]

Thanks guys I appreciate it.