If your home was built between the 1950s and 1970s in Sacramento or the surrounding areas, Folsom, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, even Rocklin, there’s a chance your electrical panel is a Zinsco.
And that’s a problem.
These panels were common back then. But today, electricians know them as fire hazards hiding in plain sight. They might look fine on the outside, but inside, they fail to trip properly, overheat, and in some cases, even melt wires.
If you’ve got a Zinsco panel, it’s not a matter of “if” something could go wrong, it’s “when.”
Here’s what every Sacramento homeowner should know about Zinsco panels, and what you should do if you have one.
What Is a Zinsco Panel?
Zinsco was a popular electrical panel brand in the mid-20th century. You’ll find them in older homes across Sacramento neighborhoods like Land Park, East Sacramento, and Arden Arcade.
These panels were designed to control the flow of electricity and protect your home from electrical overload. The problem? They don’t always do that.
Why Zinsco Panels Are Dangerous
- Breakers don’t trip: That means when there’s a short circuit or overload, the panel might just keep feeding electricity to the wires.
- Melted components: We’ve seen wires fused to breakers inside Zinsco panels. That’s a serious fire risk.
- Outdated design: These panels can’t handle today’s power loads, especially with modern appliances, EV chargers, and HVAC systems.
In fact, Zinsco panels were so unreliable, electricians stopped installing them decades ago. Insurance companies often won’t insure homes with them. And yet, thousands of homes in Sacramento still have them.
How to Tell If You Have a Zinsco Panel
It’s usually printed right on the panel door or inside the cover. Look for:
- The name Zinsco
- Colorful breakers (often red, green, or blue)
- Vertical rows of breakers
If you’re unsure, call a licensed electrician. At Old Town Electric, we’ve inspected hundreds of panels across Sacramento and nearby cities, many homeowners had no idea they had a Zinsco panel until we opened it up.
What Should You Do if You Have One?
Here’s the thing, you don’t want to wait until there’s a burnt smell, tripped breaker that won’t reset, or (worst case) an electrical fire.
Here’s what we recommend:
1. Get a Professional Inspection
Before anything else, have a qualified electrician assess your panel. We’ll check for signs of overheating, breaker failure, or outdated wiring. In many cases, even if your Zinsco panel is “working,” it’s not operating safely.
Tip: Ask us to check for other outdated parts while we’re there, like aluminum wiring or Federal Pacific panels (another dangerous brand).
2. Plan to Replace It
If your home has a Zinsco panel, replacement is the only real long-term solution. You can’t repair these panels safely. Parts are no longer manufactured, and even if they were, it wouldn’t fix the root issue: the design is flawed.
At Old Town Electric, we handle full panel upgrades across Sacramento, especially in older homes where the rest of the wiring might need updates too.
What’s the Cost to Replace a Zinsco Panel in Sacramento?
Good question. Like most electrical work, the cost depends on the scope. But here’s a ballpark breakdown:
| Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic Panel Replacement | $2,000–$3,500+ |
| With Rewiring or Service Upgrade | $4,000–$6,500+ |
| Permit & Inspection Fees | $200–$500 (included in estimate) |
These prices vary based on your home’s size, location (city vs. county), and how accessible the panel is. But either way, it’s cheaper, and far safer, than risking a fire.
Plus, upgrading your panel adds value to your home and helps with resale. More buyers and inspectors in Sacramento are flagging Zinsco panels during escrow.
Local Case Study: Carmichael Home Avoids Disaster
A homeowner in Carmichael recently called us after smelling something odd near their panel. They had a Zinsco unit. Inside, we found multiple breakers scorched, and one wire that had partially melted.
We replaced the panel, brought the service up to code, and installed whole-home surge protection.
They avoided a major fire by days, maybe hours.
If you’re seeing signs like flickering lights, buzzing at the panel, or warm wall plates, it’s time to act.
Why Sacramento Homeowners Shouldn’t Wait
Between our dry summers, aging housing stock, and increasing power usage (hello, heat pumps and EVs), outdated panels are a bigger risk than ever.
Here’s what can happen if you ignore a Zinsco panel:
- Electrical fires
- Insurance cancellations or denied claims
- Failed home inspections
- Constant breaker issues or power loss
And here’s the truth, many local electricians won’t even touch Zinsco panels anymore. We’ve had clients tell us they were turned away because it was “too risky” to attempt repairs.
We won’t sugarcoat it: these panels are dangerous. But we will help you fix it, safely and efficiently.
How Long Does a Panel Replacement Take?
Most Zinsco panel replacements take 1–2 days, including inspection and permitting. We handle:
- Permits with the City of Sacramento or your county
- Utility coordination with SMUD or PG&E
- Code-compliant installation
- Clean-up and haul-away of the old panel
You might lose power for part of a day, but we always give plenty of notice and work around your schedule.
Getting Started with Old Town Electric
We’re based right here in Sacramento. We know the city codes, the climate, the neighborhoods, and the unique quirks of these older homes.
If you have a Zinsco panel, or even think you might, give us a call. We’ll send a licensed electrician out for a thorough inspection, walk you through your options, and give you a clear, honest quote.
You’ll sleep better knowing your home is safe.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for a Warning Sign
You wouldn’t wait for your brakes to fail before replacing them.
Don’t do that with your electrical panel, either.
Zinsco panels are known risks. If your home still has one, it’s time to act. Whether you’re in Sacramento, Roseville, Fair Oaks, or anywhere nearby, Old Town Electric is here to help.
We’re local. We’re licensed. And we’ve seen it all.
Let’s get your panel upgraded and your home protected.
Schedule your Zinsco panel inspection with Old Town Electric today!
