How do I determine the age of an electrical panel?

 March 27, 2025

There is often a serial number code or date code on a data sticker inside the panel door or panel box interior of the load center. Sometimes it’s just stamped on the box itself. Each manufacturer has their own code and some of them, like Square D, have changed their encoding system over the years. Here’s links to our articles about about the serial numbers we have been able to decode, or at least have some info on the range of years they were manufactured:

Bryant Challenger Cutler-Hammer Eaton
GE Gould I-T-E Pushmatic Murray
Siemens Square D Thomas & Betts
Walker EQ Wadsworth Westinghouse

If the data sticker is missing, there is no serial number, or the serial number is not decipherable, there are still several ways to get the approximate age of a panel:

1) For brands that are no longer manufactured, the timespan when they were in production will get you closer to the age. Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, for example, was manufactured from the 1950s to 1985.

2) The year of construction of the house is often also the the age of the panel. Or any permits for additions or remodeling are a likely time for panel replacement.

3) Any building permits for a service upgrade or panel replacement will also provide a panel age.

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