Zinsco Electrical panels were commonly installed in homes, especially in Northern Nevada. We still see them in as many of 50% of homes, especially in Carson City, Midtown, Old sparks, and most of older Reno. As time has passed, electricians and home inspectors have discovered that certain Zinsco panels often can fail to operate properly and may leave homes and homeowners at risk to fire. The breakers in these panels have metal prongs that can become loose over time, and not create a secure connection which can cause arcing and fires. These panels can work fine for years, but as homes have increased energy demands, these panels may overheat and portions of it melt. 

In this situation, if a breaker melts to the bus bar of the panel and can no longer adequately trip in case of an over-current or short circuit, or not protect during surges. Once that happens, it cannot be stopped or shut off manually. Electricity will burn until it runs out of fuel or the wires melt. One expert warns that as many as 25% of all Zinsco circuit breakers could fail to trip in response to an overcurrent or short circuit and create a possible hazardous situation.

Problems with certain Zinsco panels cannot be seen unless you take the panel apart to look at the bus bar and behind breakers. Even after the cover of Zinsco panels has been removed, everything can seem to be in fine working order. Upon exploring its components, electricians find that breakers cannot be removed from the bus bar, they have welded to the bus bar from heat.

Please, do not attempt to remove breakers from your own panel to see if they’ve melted. Only licensed electricians should. Zinsco panels appear to be shut off but are still conducting electricity.