Bulldog Pushmatic electric panels are another grey area of inspections. I have been told by some electricians that these panels are actually the most dangerous panels ever made. Yet, when I looked for supporting documentation to prove these panels are dangerous, there is very little information out there.
History of Bulldog Pushmatic Panels
The Pushmatic brand dates back to the mid-20th century and was initially manufactured by I-T-E Imperial Corporation under the name Bulldog. The panels gained popularity due to their unique push-button breakers, which set them apart from the standard toggle switch breakers still used today.
At some point, the branding shifted from Bulldog to Pushmatic, though some people still refer to them as Bulldog Pushmatic panels. We have seen these panels with and without the Bulldog logo. They were discontinued in the 1970s.
These panels are rare in the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles. Though they do exist. On the other hand, they are very common in the Eastern parts of Los Angeles County.
Design of Pushmatic Breakers
Unlike modern electrical panels, which use a lever-style breaker that flips between “ON” and “OFF,” Pushmatic breakers use a push-button mechanism. Each breaker must be physically pushed in to reset or turn it off. Hence, they have the word “push” in their name. This distinction makes them stand out from all other electric panels.
What is the Problem?
Modern electrical panel breakers trip in one of two ways. The common way is sensing excessive heat that a circuit is about to overheat and the breaker trips to prevent the breaker and the wires in the wall from overheating. The other method is modern breakers have a magnetic sensor that senses short circuits, and trip to prevent electrical shocks. Pushmatic breakers, however, only contain the ability to sense overheating. They do not have a magnetic sensor. So in the event of a short circuit, a Pushmatic breaker will NOT respond.
The second issue is Pushmatic breakers is that they tend to become stiff over time because they lack internal springs and rely on metal pivoting mechanisms. The breakers were supplied with a lubricant that dries out over time. Without lubricant, these breakers may not properly trip. Or when turned off, they may not turn back on. In theory, the panels can be repaired by a qualified electrician applying an appropriate lubricant to the breakers. However, most of these panels have not been mantiated. Few electricians are willing to repair these panels anymore due to the lack of magnetic sensor.
Do You Have To Replace A Pushmatic Panel?
While Bulldog Pushmatic panels do not have the same bad reputation as Zinsco panels or Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Panels, they can be problematic. When you come down to it, these panels do NOT meet current safety standards.
Some insurance companies will not insure a home with a Pushmatic panel.
So while we can not you must replace these panels, we do recommend Pushmatic panels be upgraded to panel that meets modern safety standards.
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