Zinsco Panel Replacement In California
There was never an official recall of Zinsco or Federal Pacific panels, but replacement is the usual recommendation, and the reason is specific. The swap itself takes about 6 to 8 hours.
- Updated October 2026
- CA License #1159199
What A Zinsco Panel Is
Zinsco Electric was a Los Angeles company, founded in the 1930s. It was sold to GTE-Sylvania in 1973, so the same design also appears as Sylvania-Zinsco and GTE-Sylvania-Zinsco. If your house was built or rewired in Southern California between the 1950s and the late 1970s, look at the label on the panel door.
Why They Get Replaced
The concern is breakers that do not trip. In one published test, 32 of 111 Zinsco breakers failed to trip at 135% of their rating, and two jammed completely. The normal failure rate in the industry is under 1%. The sample is small, and the source says so. An insurer’s technical note adds that the connection between breaker and bus bar loosens and corrodes, and that a breaker can look off while the circuit is still live.
Was There A Recall?
No. There has been no recall of Zinsco panels, and none of Federal Pacific panels either. In 1983 the Consumer Product Safety Commission confirmed that Federal Pacific Stab-Lok breakers “fail certain UL calibration test requirements” and then closed its investigation without ruling on their safety. Anyone who tells you these panels were “recalled” is wrong on the facts, even if the advice to replace them is sound.
How Long Replacement Takes
About 6 to 8 hours on site, like any panel change, with the power off for part of it. The permit and the utility’s reconnection set the rest of the calendar: each step and how long it takes.
Selling A House With A Zinsco Panel
No California law forbids the sale. Since January 1, 2026, state law (SB 382) requires sellers of single-family homes to give buyers a notice advising an inspection of the electrical system, including the main panel. In practice, inspectors flag these panels and buyers ask for a replacement or a credit.
What To Do
- Read the label on the door. Do not remove the cover.
- If you smell burning or see scorch marks, treat it as an emergency.
- Otherwise, have it inspected and get the replacement in writing, with the date.
Related: panel upgrades in Los Angeles and why a breaker keeps tripping.
Sources
- InspectAPedia, Zinsco failure test report
- Great American Insurance Group, is your electric panel a fire risk?
- CPSC, Commission Closes Investigation of FPE Circuit Breakers (1983, revised 2011)
- California SB 382, electrical system disclosure
- CSLB, license check
Last updated October 2, 2026. Figures from third parties are market ranges, not a quote.
Want The Number For Your House?
Call, or text a photo of the panel. The price comes in writing before any work starts.