Pushmatic Electri-Centers

[jemsvcs]

On a recent service call I found that the house's service panel was a 'Pushmatic Electri-Center.' It also said 'Automatic Protection Push Button Control by Bulldog Electric Prod. Co. of Detroit, MI.' I have never seen a panel like this before and after doing an online search could only find out that the trademark is now owned by Siemens. Does anyone have any info on these systems? Or schematics?

Thanks,

Jemsvcs

 

[caj1962]

Re: Pushmatic Electri-Centers

I have removed several of these panels from service. Most of the ones I have came across are a split bus where you have to double pole breakers at the top for the range and water heater and then a 2 pole breaker marked main lighting where the singlepole stuff is fed from. You may notice in your panel if it like this that the upper bus remains energized when you turn off the "main" If you can find new breakers for this type of panel they will be very expensive. Around here the prices are 35-50 dollars for a single pole and over $100 for a double pole 50. It does not take much convincing to the homeowner at these prices to do an upgrade to a more modern type panel where parts are more readily available and cheaper.
Please make sure that you the breaker if fact does shut off before working on it.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pushmatic Electri-Centers

These panels were originally called Bulldog Pushmatic, Then They became ITE Intermatic, Then Seaman became the owner
Bulldog panels are 40 to 50 years old. They have a split bus, bus bar the top portion is used for 240 volt circuits and the bottom has a 60 amp lighting main in series with the bottom breakers

 

[flightline]

Re: Pushmatic Electri-Centers

Both caj and gregory are partially correct, and are in fact, correct in what they saw. Bulldog not only made Pushmatic, but I believe also pioneered the Vac-U-Break type disconnect switches. Some time there-after, ITE purchased them. And as has been stated, Siemens purchased ITE after that. What is not exactly accurate is that there were panels built that were not only "split-bus" type; they were just regular MB or MLO type configurations. I did have an electrician working on a pseudo-3 phase version that was injured because things inside were not as you , [or he] would think. Breakers are hard and expensive to come by; I had to purchase a factory 2-pole 100A main but had to wait 5 months for delivery. I had forgot I ordered it, delivery took so long. I have also had difficulty with breakers opening, but with no visual indication; requiring the use of a meter to confirm output.

I would get on the upgrade it if you can bandwagon.

 

[electricman2]

Re: Pushmatic Electri-Centers

I see the Push-matic breakers on E-bay at times. Just make sure what they are selling is new. However I agree with the other posts, it's better to go ahead and upgrade.

 

[noxx]

Re: Pushmatic Electri-Centers

Please make sure that you the breaker if fact does shut off before working on it. Bad experiance there.

No kidding there. It's common for the flagging mechanism to come loose inside the breaker the breaker body, and it's actual position, whether it says "on" or "off" is anybody's guess.

Really push for a service change here. The primary problem with these type of breakers is that they are thermal *only*, with no magnetic trip. They are also a grease-fed breaker, and if not excerised (they never are) will become stiff and difficult to operate, or reset. They are not as bad as old FP's for failing to trip on overload, but come close. I'm sure your customer paid good money for his home, why protect it with 60 year old technology?