John Dirks Jr Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 How common are Wadsworth service panels? I saw one today for the first time. Any problems with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspectorjoe Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 I very rarely see one. They were discussed a few years back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lamb Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 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. Click to Enlarge 34.61 KB Click to Enlarge 41.75 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted October 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Heres a pic. Click to Enlarge 87.72 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Electric Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Port Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 Were you inspecting around the Bay Hills golf course in Arnold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted October 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Port Posted October 27, 2009 Report Share Posted October 27, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.