Wadsworth panel

[John Dirks Jr]

How common are Wadsworth service panels? I saw one today for the first time.

Any problems with them?

[Inspectorjoe]

I very rarely see one.

They were discussed a few years back.

[Jim Katen]

How common are Wadsworth service panels? I saw one today for the first time.

I think they were quite common 50+ years ago. Not so much today.

Any problems with them?

Just old age. I don't know of any particular problems with Wadsworth.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Chad Fabry]

My shop had (may still have) a 200amp 3 phase Wadsworth breaker panel. From 1959 until 2005 when I sold, every breaker was flipped on in the morning and flipped off at night. It ran two large compressors, often simultaneously and distributed 5,000-6,000 kilowatt hours every month without complaint or breakdown.

Like most older panels there isn't a lot of working space and things are little crowded if it's fully populated.

For the record, my parts store had a Bulldog Pushmatic that was just as trouble free.

Anecdotal, take it or leave it.

[Mike Lamb]

I see them too often around here and have noticed nothing particularly wrong with them except that you have to remove two covers to get a look at the wiring which makes life a little more difficult. The screws for the second cover are held on by these little metal clips which are often spring-loaded so when you undo the screw, it can fly out and hit you in the eye. And putting this second cover back on when you are done can be difficult because they don't seem to line up quite right with the circuit breakers. In other words, dealing with the covers sucks but I've never seen any performance problems with them.

I once found a torched mouse in a Wadsworth panel which I have posted before and will again.

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[John Dirks Jr]

Heres a pic.

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[Mr. Electric]

The panels do not have any issues that I am aware of either. As mentioned above they are old and the breakers may not function properly after all these years especially if the panel is in a damp area like a garage. Not a problem brand like Zinsco/Sylvania or Federal Pacific anyway.

[Jim Port]

Were you inspecting around the Bay Hills golf course in Arnold?

[John Dirks Jr]

Were you inspecting around the Bay Hills golf course in Arnold?

I was off of B&A Blvd in Severna Park. Not far from bay hills.

Why do you ask?

[Jim Port]

I have only seen a Wadsworth in one house and it was in Bay Hills. I do a fair amount of work in Arnold and Severna Park.