Pushmatic arc fault breaker?

[ritelec]

Hi,
I'm looking to install a Dishwasher circuit and a Appliance circuit in a kitchen.
The panel is a 63 yr old pushmatic. (Bulldog?)

Does pushmatic make a arcfault breaker? I can't find one if they do.

Can I install regular 20 amp 120 volt breakers and go through arc fault deadfront devices instead the arcfault breakers at the panel location?

If not, would installing a subpanel with the arcfault breakers be acceptable? ( provided I can find a two pole 50 or 60 amp pushmatic breaker)

Thank you

 

[hbiss]

Does pushmatic make a arcfault breaker?

-Hal

 

[infinity]

I'm looking to install a Dishwasher circuit and a Appliance circuit in a kitchen.
The panel is a 63 yr old pushmatic. (Bulldog?)

Does pushmatic make a arcfault breaker? I can't find one if they do.

Those panels are obsolete and are known to have issue with the circuit breakers (they should be replaced but that's a separate issue).

You'll need to comply with (4) or (5). A metal box next to the panel with an branch circuit type AFCI will satisfy (5).

210.12(A)
(4)A listed outlet branch-circuit-type arc-fault circuit interrupter installed at the first outlet on the branch circuit in combination with a listed branch-circuit overcurrent protective device where all of the following conditions are met:
a. The branch-circuit wiring shall be continuous from the branch-circuit overcurrent device to the outlet branch-circuit arc-fault circuit interrupter.
b. The maximum length of the branch-circuit wiring from the branch-circuit overcurrent device to the first outlet shall not exceed 15.2 m (50 ft) for a 14 AWG conductor or 21.3 m (70 ft) for a 12 AWG conductor.
c. The first outlet box in the branch circuit shall be marked to indicate that it is the first outlet of the circuit.
d. The combination of the branch-circuit overcurrent device and outlet branch-circuit AFCI shall be identified as meeting the requirements for a system combination-type AFCI and shall be listed as such.
(5)If metal raceway, metal wireways, metal auxiliary gutters, or Type MC, or Type AC cable meeting the applicable requirements of 250.118, with metal boxes, metal conduit bodies, and metal enclosures are installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install a listed outlet branch-circuit-type AFCI at the first outlet to provide
protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.

 

[norcal]

There were Pushmatic GFCI breakers, but became obsolete before AFCI's.

 

[Fred B]

It's a shame the Push-Matic had such issue with their breaker internal function, I do like the bolt on breaker design they used. Seen less handyman opting to work with them.
While Connecticut Electric does make a listed replacement standard breaker, best option would be to replace the panel. Reliability issues were a result of failing to follow the mfg. instructions, (required monthly testing, operate, the breaker turning off/on) not sure if the issue was eliminated with the re-manufacture of the Push-Matic breaker. Another issue was the poor ability to determine if the breaker is on or off/tripped, but that issue not limited to the push on switch breaker style.