Determining age of breaker panel - InspectionNews

Jack Wingo · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 04:43 PM

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?

#2 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 12:18 PM

Jack,

Have you tried counting it's rings?

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.

Nolan Kienitz · #3 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 01:34 PM

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.

Jim Port · #4 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 04:08 PM

Many times at least around here the inspection stickers are on the panel cover. Most times the sticker will have a date.