Electrician Help. Older house with Zinsco breakers

[WCB]

I have a dilemma with a Zinsco breaker box without a main breaker to kill power. I need to replace a 30A breaker and with no way to kill power other than call the power co. Do I just yank (pull the breaker) out???
Before anyone says anything, we are in the process of remodeling and having the house re-wired is probably next in line. But in the mean time, I have a weak breaker and it keeps tripping in this heat wave. Guess I'm drawing too much...
This house just wasn't built for air conditioning, multiple TVs, computers, stereos, playstations, appliances, etc...

[Blue Tick]

My old house had a zinsco breaker, but we had a main in our box also. I had to change several breakers in it. Finally had a new box put in.

[slayer]

Use the breaker puller and pull it hot. Use the same puller to put the new one in. Then replace all of that with new stuff!

[WCB]

My old house had a zinsco breaker, but we had a main in our box also. I had to change several breakers in it. Finally had a new box put in.

If I had a main kill switch I wouldn't have a problem. Just a llittle unsure rippin that puppy out hot!!

[WCB]

Where do I get a breaker puller? Didn't find one at Home Depot...

[Blue Tick]

If I had a main kill switch I wouldn't have a problem. Just a llittle unsure rippin that puppy out hot!!

As long as you don't touch the contacts you should be ok...just grab it with a set of channel locks and rip away.

[slayer]

Home Depot or Lowes should have one!

[piggybuster]

Call your local power company. I have seen some pretty big fires built with small voltage. I am not sure if there is even a charge for them to come out. I am a Lineman and journeyman electrician and I wouldn't do it and feel safe.
There was a guy that got burned over 65% of his body messing with 240vlts. less than a year ago in Bryan. Just my opinion though.

[DavidH]

To answer your question, the side of the breaker opposite the wires will come off of the buss first. Then the side where the wires connect will " unhook". Having said that --- if you don't feel comfortable pulling and replacing it, don't do it. You can call the power company and request a "temporary disconnect". When they show up tell them that you just need the meter pulled. Replace the breaker and have them re-stab the meter. Sometimes the Zinsco breakers will arc on the buss causing a bad connection between the breaker and the buss. In this case you would have to put the breaker in a different/open location if you have any spare slots.

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

Hey Mike call me tommorrow.

[Bill]

A question for electricians- if all the appliances on that branch circuit were turned off prior to pulling the breaker and inserting a new one, would that reduce/eliminate the arcing problem? Warning, don't do this at home.

[jrfan]

If you do attempt this make sure the new breaker is off when you install it. this should eleminate any arcing.

[crittergitter]

remember if you do this yourself to get it on video

got have something to watch during the off season.

[WCB]

I've already thought about the video...
I'll start by calling TXU and see what the charge is for dropping the meter first. And yes, I know to have both the old, and new breakers off before replacing.
Wes, I'll call you later.

[bearintex]

Changing breakers while the box is hot should be NO PROBLEM. Shut off the breaker, verify that it is shut off with a meter, then unscrew the wire that lands on the breaker. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THAT WIRE NOW, YOU DON"T WANT IT FALLING BACK INTO THE ENERGIZED AREA. Then simply grab the outer edge of the breaker and pull up and towards the center of the box. It should pop right out. Reverse the process to reinstall. At no time should you ever have to touch any energized metal, provided the system was installed properly.