Next on the Chopping Block
The next outdated electrical panel in our series is the Pushmatic (often labeled as Bulldog or ITE) panel, commonly found in homes built in the 1930s through the 1980s. They are easily recognizable since they use a push-button-style breaker that is different from the switch style used by all other manufacturers.
Why You Should Replace Your Pushmatic Panel
Pushmatic electrical panels should be replaced because of their age and reliance on a greased push button mechanism that has long surpassed its expected lifespan. Although the panels were well constructed, they were built for a time when households had less electrical devices than we have now.
Issues with Pushmatic Electrical Panels
Typical issues include:
- Old components that become brittle, corroded, or simply “stick” when pressed.
- Breaker indicating “off” when it is still “on.”
- Failure to trip on an overload.
- Internal arching of the breaker causing the contacts to weld together.
Life Span
While these panels functioned effectively in their time, Pushmatic panels were not built to accommodate today’s equipment or increased power needs. That era did not have half the electrical appliances and devices we use on a daily basis today. And they certainly were not built to last a century! Even today’s panels are not built for that amount of time.
Follow-up
Here are links to two excellent articles for more information:
- Understanding Pushmatic/Bulldog Electrical Panels: Why You Need to Upgrade Now – CA Electrical Group
- What are Pushmatic / Bulldog Electrical Panels? – Nonprofit Home Inspections
Conclusion:
These fall in the same category as the Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels. If you have one of these panels in your home, it is advisable to plan for its replacement. Not only for the safety of your family but also for the resale of your home. Many insurance companies will not allow the purchase of a home that has anyone of these three panels in it. So be proactive and be sure to hire a licensed electrical contractor.