[Shop-talk] Electrical Panel Question

[Karl Vacek]

We had one in our old house, probably installed in about 1970 as a rewiring 
job (by an electrician who had every outlet except one in the whole house 
polarized backwards....).

I replaced 4 or 5 of those expensive little breakers because they went bad, 
and swore I'd never have another of those Pushmatic damn panels.

Our 100 amp single-phase ITE panel had a main breaker - also a regular 
Pushmatic of course.  But it's not necessary to shut off the main just to 
change a breaker - the screws are captive in the breaker so you have no 
reason to touch them.  Hold the breaker by the body to put it in place and 
use a regular insulated handle screwdriver to run the screws in.

I don't remember ever replacing any other type of breaker in a home panel 
because it failed.  Maybe once or twice in industrial plants, but I really 
don't recall.

Karl



> Snip
>>
>> 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!