WHY ARE PUSHMATIC PANELS A BAD IDEA?
If you're buying or selling - your inspector should recommend updating and replacing any Pushmatic
Pushmatic panels were a technology that followed the screw in fuse. Pushmatic panels were popular in the Late 1960 to Mid 1980's. While many homes have already been updated, there are still tens of thousands of homes with pushmatic panels.
A long time ago, a screw in fuse was used to protect your electrical system from shorts or overloads. This was the first technology for Overcurrent Protection. Fuses do their job pretty good. But the problem is they are a one time use. Anyone that has blown a fuse knows you need to replace it with a new one. That means having some on hand or making a shopping trip.
Pushmatic panels and breaker replaced the fuse as it was a new technology that did not require replacing a fuse. In Other words you could trip a pushmatic breaker and not have to replace it. This was a life changing technology in the 1960's!
While the Pushmatic Panel was the cream of the crop in 1967, Today they are considered junk.
The Pushmatic style breaker is a old technology that often fails with today's electrical demands. Pushmatic breakers have a tendency to "stick". When an electrical fault happens, old Pushmatic breaker may fail to TRIP. They will stick in the "ON" position. During a fault you want the breaker to shut off the electric supply as fast as possible.
Another issue with Pushmatic Breakers is the ON/OFF indicator can get misaligned or messed up. It can be hard to tell on faulty breakers if the breaker is actually OFF or ON.
Issue #3 is with the Panel itself. Pushmatic panels do not have a separate NEUTRAL and GROUNDING Bar. Current Electrical Code requires neutrals and grounds to be seperated for your safety.
Pushmatic panels also can not accept ARC Fault or Ground Fault type Breakers. (AFCI, GFCI) These old Pushmatic panels do not allow the new style breaker to be installed.
The List goes on, there are a few other reasons these outdated panels should be upgraded for your safety and convenience. Please Contact us today for a FREE Pushmatic Panel Assessment and Estimate. We look Forward to making your Life & Home Better!
We can get your old Pushmatic Panel Replaced Fast, We even offer Financing!
The Best Place for a Pushmatic panel is in our Scrap Pile! Did you know? We recycle!