Zinsco breakers are notorious for being bad and are not supported
by anyone and they are not rated by UL.

Parts and pieces tend to be expensive. There were some
replacement systems that removed the "guts" of the panel and
replaced the bus and breakers.

Electricians can work hot breakers, but everyone would prefer
killing the power. If you are not familiar with the work, get a
licensed electrician involved. Be aware, all electricians will
suggest replacing the system. Most will not have Zinsco breakers
nor have much interest in finding them.
___________________________
Keep the whole world singing. . . .
DanG


wrote in message
ups.com...
I live in a 1960's condo in Souther California. Some of the
circuit
breakers have been buzzing since I moved in a few months ago.
One in
particular would lose power until it was manipulated into the
right
position on the breaker box (some of the breakers are very
loose). A
few days ago, the most problematic breaker stopped working,
killed the
fridge, and I have not been able to get power back to this side
of the
condo since.

The breaker of interest is a double 20amp 2-pole Type Q Zinsco
R38.
There does not to appear to be a main breaker that powers down
everything in this box. Am I running any great risk by taking
this
breaker out while with the wires still hooked up to it (or even
disconnecting the wires with the breaker switched off)? I am
willing
to face anything but death; I'm young and healthy, and I fix
cars and
computers and do some home repair (just fyi). My idea is to
replace
the breaker with another, less critical, breaker from the box
just (i
don't need all of the wall receptacles to have power).

I will appreciate any thoughts on this issue.

Thank you.