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With all the homeowners insurance changes and cancallations taking place in Florida, I have been doing a lot of insurance 4 point inspections. Most of the insurance carriers require updated panels, if the existing panel is over 25 year old. In many cases the homeowner has only owned the home for a few years and do not know the age of the existing panel. Other that 'swag' is there a reliable means of determining when panel was manufactured, such as model numbers?
Jack,
Have you tried counting it's rings? :D
No but seriously, I know that some manufacturers used to stamp (in ink) the date of manufacture, some companies still do this for meterbases. Your best bet would be to contact a manufacturer directly (of the most panel types in your area) and see if there is a method for determining the "born on" date.
Starting point would be the local tax roles and/or any such document that provides "approximate birth age" of the home.
Home built in 1982 ... that will likely be age of panel.
I always check CAD roles for homes I inspect for any snippet of information.
Many times at least around here the inspection stickers are on the panel cover. Most times the sticker will have a date.