Is Your Electrical Panel Putting Your Property—and Insurance—at Risk?
by Gary August 18, 2025
If your building still has an outdated electrical panel—like a Federal Pacific (FPE), Zinsco, or Pushmatic—you may be sitting on a hidden hazard that’s putting your property at risk of fire, code violations, and even insurance cancellation.
At Hillside Expert Electrical, we specialize in
electrical panel upgrades for homes, apartment buildings, commercial properties, and industrial warehouses across Southern California. Whether you’re located in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, or Ventura County, we help you bring your electrical systems up to modern standards—safely and efficiently.
⚠️ Why Are Outdated Electrical Panels a Problem?
Electrical panels are designed to protect your property by shutting off power when something goes wrong. However, certain brands manufactured in the mid-20th century are known to fail during electrical faults, leaving buildings vulnerable to overheating, sparking, or fire.
Panels from brands like Federal Pacific Electric (FPE), Zinsco, Pushmatic, and Challenger are the most commonly flagged. These panels often fail to trip when there’s a surge or short circuit. That means electricity can continue flowing even when it shouldn't—creating a serious fire hazard.
Even more concerning, insurance companies are well aware of the risks. Many providers are now refusing to insure or renew policies for properties that still have these panels. In some cases, building owners find out their coverage has been canceled or denied because of the type of panel installed.
Who’s Most at Risk?
We often find these panels in properties built before the 1990s, including:
- Single-family homes
- Apartment buildings
- Commercial buildings and office parks
- Industrial warehouses and manufacturing spaces
- Retail storefronts
- Multi-unit investment properties
If you own or manage any of these property types, it’s worth scheduling an inspection. Our team can quickly determine whether your panel is outdated and help you plan an upgrade that keeps your property safe, insurable, and up to code.
Pictured is a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panel, commonly found in older Southern California buildings and known for serious fire and insurance risks.
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Take the Next Step Toward Safety and Compliance
Don’t let an outdated panel put your property or insurance at risk. Get ahead of the problem with a safe, code-compliant upgrade from a team that knows how to get it done right.
Call to request a quote or schedule your panel inspection today.
Your safety, your insurance coverage, and your property’s long-term value depend on it.
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.
