I have a Zinsco 15 A gfi that the test button doesnt work on. Can I leave the gfi in my panel box and change out the outlets to which it feeds with individual gfi's? Should I put in a regular breaker instead? Do I need to change the wiring if changing the breaker to a regular one? Thanks for any help.

The test button tests the GFCI sensing device, which failed. The breaker should still be providing over current protection. Besides confusion, I can't see why it has to be replaced if you use GFCI receptacles. Zinsco is an obsolete brand (with some reported troubles), replacements may be hard to find. In the future you may want to consider a new panel.
Its a single pole GFCI, right? If its a double pole feeding split receptacles there will be some issues replacing receptacles.
You can put in GFCI receptacles. One GFCI at the first in the line can protect the rest of the circuit if wired to do so.
What does the circuit feed? Was the GFCI used to compensate for lack of grounding (as allowed for old houses)? If so you want probably want GFCI protection on the whole circuit.


If you replace the GFCI breaker with a regular one you need to remove the neutral connection at the GFCI breaker and connect it directly to the neutral bus bar.


Edit...added comments
If you leave the non-working GFCI breaker leave a note at that breaker indicating that the GFCI portion is not working and GFCI protection is provided by GFCI receptacles to avoid any confusion or false of safety (so no one thinks the whole circuit is protected if it is not).

You are correct, it is a single pole gfci. I want to leave the breaker as is and install a gcfi at each recepticle that it feeds which are the bathroom outlets and the outside outlets on the house. I just didnt know if I needed to change out the circuit breaker or not without doing any extra wiring. All the house recepticles are grounded. Thanks for you help, its very much appreciated.

Zinsco? UH-OH!

I`m wth GIZ. When did these bums get back in business.

Wholesome Fun

Punky; I cant believe it. Obviously going to attempt to make a poor product worse.

Ya, I know. Here's the part I like:

"The use of manufactures registered trademarks herein is for identification purposes, and educative value only, as commonly denoted in the trade. JRL Electric Supply, Inc. is not an authorized distributor of Zinsco distribution and control products. All trademarks herein are, and remain the proprietary interests of the manufacturer as credited."

I guess the "educated value" translates as, "oops, we burned down your house. Hope you learned not to use Zinsco breakers!" And they're not authorized to distribute a crappy product.

I didn't think Zinsco is made anymore, the Zinsco breakers are probably made by a generic manufacturer for replacement use. Just like Federal Pacific repalcement breakers are made, but not made by Federal Pacific.
I have never worked inside a Zinsco panel before, they don't seem to be that common in my area, although I seen my fare share of Federal Pacific panels.

MCA: lucky you for not having to work inside a Zinsco panel. Home of molten bus bars and welded in circuit breakers.

If you have a Zinsco panel you also have a very reliable arc welder. Just add welding rods and voila! no breaker trips to slow down the welding. (OK maybe a fire or two)

I installed one gfci to see if it would work and it doesnt. Does anything need to be done to the existing gfci in the panel? Does the white neutral wire need to be moved Thanks

Well if you do not want to replace the Zinsco fire starter with a safe panel, remember that the neutral wire from the field run to the outlets goes to the neutral connection on the GFCI, NOT the neutral bar. The white pigtail on the GFCI goes to the neutral bar.

Quote:

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I installed one gfci to see if it would work and it doesnt. Does anything need to be done to the existing gfci in the panel?

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What doesn't work....does it just not provide power or does it trip?

Do you mean you installed a GFCI receptacle?
Are you sure you have LINE and LOAD correct? Incoming wires must go to the LINE terminals. If there are any outgoing wires you want protected their hot and neutral must go to the LOAD terminals. The current must be balanced (if you have a hot connected to the LOAD side its respective neutral that carries current just from that hot must go to the LOAD side as well).
If you don't want any downstream protection then don't use the LOAD side for anything.

If you mean GFCI breaker then as stated there must be a neutral connection at the GFCI.