Zinsco and Federal Pacific Panels: Why Marin Homes Still Have Them
Zinsco and Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panels were installed widely from the 1950s through the 1980s and are now a safety concern because their breakers can fail to trip during an overload or short — the moment they’re meant to protect the home. Because the risk is in the design, the accepted fix is replacement, not repair. A licensed electrician can confirm whether your Marin home has one and plan a permitted swap. If you don’t, we’ll say so.
The 2026 Marin Panel-Upgrade Playbook: When 100A Isn’t Enough Anymore
Many older Marin homes still run 100-amp service sized for a pre-EV era. If breakers trip often, the panel feels warm, or you’re adding an EV charger, induction range, or heat pump, it may be time to upgrade — usually to 200-amp service. A licensed electrician runs a load calculation, pulls the permit, coordinates with PG&E, and installs a clean, labeled panel. If your panel is fine, a good electrician will tell you so.