The problem
This Bellevue homeowner lost power to part of the house. Our electrician opened the Zinsco panel and found a 2-pole breaker that had been arcing against the bus bar long enough to burn and pit the bus beneath it. That is the classic Zinsco failure, and it is the reason these panels have a reputation for overheating and fires.
What we did
- Shut the panel down and confirmed the extent of the damage to the bus bar.
- Replaced the damaged 2-pole breaker so the homeowner had power back the same day.
- Explained clearly that this is a temporary, emergency repair. The bus bar is damaged, and a new breaker on a damaged bus is not a long-term fix.
- Recommended a full panel replacement and gave the homeowner a written price for it.
The result
Power was restored the same visit, and the homeowner knows exactly where the panel stands. The permanent fix is a new panel with a modern bus and breakers that are still manufactured and tested. Until then, the household knows to watch for warm breakers, a burning smell or flickering lights and to call right away if any of those show up.
From our job records. No customer names, addresses or contact info shown, by design.
Have a Zinsco, Federal Pacific or other older panel?
We replace and repair electrical panels across Bellevue and the Eastside, and we handle the permit and inspection. A licensed electrician checks your panel first and confirms your price in writing before any work begins.
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