[Shop-talk] Electrical Panel Question

[Doug Braun]

I've already web-searched "Pushmatic", and learned of
two schools of thought:  first that the breakers are
expensive and it is an oddball design you should get
rid of, and second that it is one of the few panels
where the breakers are actually screwed into place, so
it should be more reliable.

I saw some Pushmatic breakers for sale on some
electrical supply web site.  They were rather
expensive, but I could buy one and install it myself
for a lot less money than an average person would have
to pay for an electrician to come and replace a
cheaper type of breaker.

The only problem is that all the 220-volt breakers
would have to be replaced hot, and be unscrewed and
screwed to the hot bus bars instead of simply being
plugged in.  And with no master disconnect or
overcurrent protection, I would be afraid to try that
myself!

Doug

--- Steven Trovato <strovato at optonline.net> wrote:

> BTW, It's ITE, not ITC.  I'm not saying that just to
> be obnoxious.  I 
> just figured it might make an internet search more
> successful.  Also, 
> from what I understand, the pushmatic breakers are
> expensive 
> now.  This apparently leads people to replace the
> whole panel when 
> they need a few breakers.