Service panel age?

[aerb]

Hi Everyone

I did an inspection in a house resently and this is their main service panel

ideas on age of this service panel?

a little help with amp capacity?
am i close with 60 amps?

I included some pics.

thanks for all your info

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Those panels date back to the forties. It's likely to be the same age as the residence.

There doesn't appear to be a service disconnect or split-bus, but it's likely to be a 60 amp panel. . .

[gbeaumont]

Hi Amy,

I'd have to agree mostly with Jeff, buy I'd put it at mid to late 50's. What year was the home built?

Regards

Gerry

[aerb]

Thanks for your thoughts guys,
the current owner thinks it was built around 54

[Marc D. Shunk]

The fact that I see many circuits with full size grounds, and a predominance of type TW insulation might make me guess this panel was replaced sometime in the 70's. A few circuits have insulation that does look like it's from original 1950's circuits.

To my eye, it sure does look like that panel's fed with #2 copper to the main lugs.

[Speedy Petey]

I agree. Sure looks like 100A to me.

I also do not see a split-buss arrangement. Could this be a 60's-70's condo with an outside disconnect?

[David P. Valley]

It appears to be 100 amps to me.

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by Marc D. Shunk

The fact that I see many circuits with full size grounds, and a predominance of type TW insulation might make me guess this panel was replaced sometime in the 70's. A few circuits have insulation that does look like it's from original 1950's circuits.

To my eye, it sure does look like that panel's fed with #2 copper to the main lugs.

I took another look at it, and it does look like a 60's-70's installation. The funny thing is that the panel itself looks older.

on a side note does anyone know when the pushmatics went out of production, the later ones I have seen were from the late 60's?

Regards

Gerry

[Marc D. Shunk]

Originally Posted by gbeaumont

on a side note does anyone know when the pushmatics went out of production, the later ones I have seen were from the late 60's?

1983-4 ...ish. I've still got some brand new in boxes, bought as new old stock. Some say Goulds or ITT on the box. Matter of fact, I got some from a Siemens dealer once too, and they came in Siemens boxes (perhaps reboxed?)

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by Marc D. Shunk

1983-4 ...ish. I've still got some brand new in boxes, bought as new old stock. Some say Goulds or ITT on the box. Matter of fact, I got some from a Siemens dealer once too, and they came in Siemens boxes (perhaps reboxed?)

Wow that answer surprises me, I am sure the latest one I was sure of the installation daye of was around a decade earlier than that, do you have replacement breakers later than that or whole panels?

Regards

Gerry

[Marc D. Shunk]

Just breakers, Gerry. I've seen inspection stickers on PushMatic panels from at least 80-81, though.

[Bob Elliott]

I have not seen that type 40 amp double before.

It looks older than the typical mid to late fifties to me.

I see no main breaker , so are you guys guessing 100 amps based on the main conductors coming in to the panel.

If it is a Condo they have neutral and ground bonded (assumming it is a sub)

[Marc D. Shunk]

Originally Posted by relliott

I have not seen that type 40 amp double before.

That's a handle tie accessory, of which there were many styles. That's not a "real" 2 pole 40.

[aerb]

Wow, quite the discussion
its not a condo, its a bungalow style house that this panel was in.

Where is the oddest place you have found a service panel located?
This one was right inside the back door,
no main structure off/on switch either.

What else do you guys have to say about this panel?

[brian winkle]

I normally find those in homes that were larger and considered high end when they were built. They are almost always fed with 100 amps. I also see them in small commercial buildings from the 50s and 60s.

I am sure they were considered "State of the Art" at the time.