Is their any one out there that are familiar with Zinsco service panels?

My house was built in the early 70's and has a Zinsco service panel.  During some work in my basement a couple weeks ago I found that one of the previous owners wired a 20-Amp CB with 14 gauge wire, big no-no.

I first started mapping what was controlled by the CB.  I found it wasn't that much.

In the past I have added CBs to my panel, which was easy enough.  They just "hook" in on one side and fit down over the buss bars.  Now I want to remove the offending  CB and replace it with a CB of the correct amperage (15-Amp).

Is there a release mechanism on these CBs?  One of the CBs in the panel seems like it has a part broke off like they tried to pry it out unsuccessfully.  The side opposite the hook end seems to have notches or pry points in the breaker.  Is there a special tool used to remove the breakers?

Any help would be appreciated,

Stan

I don't have a Zinsco panel and have never worked on one.  However I did find this instructional link:

   http://www.ehow.com/how_6484917_rem...eaker.html 

The procedure sound identical to how I'd remove a Square D "QO" breaker or other similar breaker from several manufacturers.  Most breakers that snap on, rather than bolt on, work this way.  You pry back toward yourself at the end where the breaker grips the bus.  There is usually a small notch for doing so. 

I,unfortunately, am one of those homeowners that am unlucky enough to have a zinsco breaker bow in my home. The link supplied by bompa is pretty accurate about how to remove a breaker from your box. only thing worth adding is that it is a very tight fit and takes a considerable amount of effort to pry the breaker out. The good news at least for me is that I will be replacing my Zinsco box soon with a Square D box. Good luck.

1
Locate the breaker you want to remove. It will be in the electrical box. Each breaker in the box is for a different circuit within the building. Use the screwdriver to remove the panel cover.

2
Turn off the main circuit breaker to interrupt the connection with the electric utility. While you are working on the circuits in the electrical box, this will serve as a safety precaution.

3
Use the end of the slotted screwdriver to pry the Zinsco circuit breaker from the hot bar. The circuit breaker will remain attached by the clip at the outside end.

4
Grasp the circuit breaker and unsnap it from the plastic bar. Unscrew the hot wire of the circuit from the terminal in the side of the breaker.

5
Trace the hot wire to find the neutral wire and ground wire for the circuit you are working on. Disconnect the neutral wire and the ground wire from the neutral bus bar and the ground bus bar.

6
Use the wire strippers to clip off the exposed wire from the hot and neutral wires. This will avoid touching any surface with exposed wires.

7
Wrap the end of the hot wire and neutral wire with a piece of electricians tape to protect them from touching any surface. Fold the wires for this circuit into the electrical box. If you decide to use them again later they will still be in place to be reconnected.

8
Replace the electrical box panel cover. Turn the power back on by flipping the main power circuit breaker to the on position.

Thanks all for the replies.

I guess I should have done a Google search first and would have saved myself and those who took the time to reply some time.  I seem to overlook the usefulness of Google.  To answer some of your replies: 

Bompa - Thanks for the link.  That made me put my question into Google and found the same page you gave me plus the issues with Zinsco Service Panels.  Looks Like I'm going to have to step up my game in getting a Pro in to replace the panel.  I'm very proficient at doing electrical work and know I have the skills to do most of the work of adding a new panel, however, I am not efficient at doing the work.  This is something that I don't have the time to do.  As (I think) dirty Harry said, "A man's got to know his limitations."

Wolf - I remember installing the new "twin" breaker a few years ago and it took a bit of effort to push it in.  So unless it has arc'ed it self to the buss it should take at least as much effort to pry it out.  Seems a previous owner tried with one because part of the breaker seems to have been broken off.

gmaint -  Oh, my god definitely shutting the mains off before I go poking around in there.  The wire side has a lip (called it a hook in my first message) that fits under a metal bar (not the buss) can't pry from that end.  Will have to pry from the opposite end from where the line screws in.  In my panel only the main breakers have a mesh "cover" on them.  A few years back I went to HD looking for Zinsco breakers, stores in my area didn't carry them.  I found them at my local True Value.

Thanks again all for the help.

Stan