09/24/2025
Do you have one of these panels in your home? If so, you'll want to read this post! We've listed 4 Types of Panels with their typical installation year that you should ABSOLUTELY replace.
Why Does Every Home Have a Breaker Panel or Fuse Box?
It’s not just a box full of switches—it’s your home’s first line of defense against electrical fires.
Your breaker panel or fuse box is technically known as an Overcurrent Protection Device (OCPD). Its job is simple but critical: to protect your home’s wiring from overheating by automatically shutting off the power during an overcurrent event (when too much electricity is flowing through a circuit).
When a circuit is overloaded, the breaker is designed to trip, or a fuse blows, instantly stopping the flow of electricity and preventing your wires from melting inside the walls.
But here’s the truth many homeowners don’t know:
❗ Most standard breakers are designed to protect the wiring, not you. That’s why if you accidentally get shocked, the breaker doesn’t trip—because there was no overcurrent.
❗ Shock protection is a different matter entirely and requires GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) or AFCI breakers—something that many older homes don’t have.
⚠️ So What Happens When Panels Don't Do Their Job? ⚠️
Sadly, not all electrical panels are created equal. In fact, several have been discontinued due to dangerous defects:
❌ Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panels
These panels were found to have breakers that frequently fail to trip during overcurrent conditions—posing a major fire hazard. They were ultimately discontinued due to these defects and have a well-documented history of failures under load.
❌ Push-o-Matic Panels
Pushmatic panels use mechanical breakers that can seize closed over time. Unlike modern thermal-magnetic breakers, these require annual manual operation to stay functional.
👉 Be honest: When’s the last time you reset your Pushmatic breakers on purpose?
If you haven’t, they might not work when you need them most.
❌ Wadsworth Panels
These outdated panels have also been discontinued due to reliability issues, including breakers that fail to trip. Replacement parts are obsolete, making them costly and difficult to repair—and a potential liability for homeowners and insurance alike.
💡 What Is an Overcurrent Event, Exactly?
An overcurrent occurs when too much electricity is drawn on a circuit—more than the wires can safely handle. That’s why breaker sizing must match the wire gauge:
✅ 14-gauge wire → 15-amp breaker
✅ 12-gauge wire → 20-amp breaker
If the wrong breaker is used, or the breaker fails to trip, the wires can overheat, potentially igniting an electrical fire.
🔥 Bottom Line: Outdated Panels Put Your Home at Risk 🔥
Whether due to age, manufacturer defects, or lack of maintenance, outdated panels are a hidden danger. If your home still has a:
- Federal Pacific (FPE) Panel
- Pushmatic Panel
- Wadsworth Panel
- Or an old fuse box
👉 It’s time to act.
📞 Call BEST Electric Solutions LLC at (419) 333-1135 for a:
🆓 FREE Electrical Panel Evaluation and
🆓 FREE Estimate for replacement.
Don't wait for a failure to find out your panel no longer protects your home.
