Bulldog Pushmatic

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Well I have to believe him unless I see otherwise....I had them also tell me (2) different guys they get $ 3,500 to $ 4,000 in PA in a different class as well....no reason to know why they would lie to me....

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

no reason to know why they would lie to me

Mere locker room machismo and braggodocio. I've been guilty of it myself, claiming that I've been doing home inspections for the past 6½ years. Fooled everyone, didn't I? Ha! Reminds me of April 1, 2004. Such a glorious day in the annals of Captain Kirk and Admiral Ray.

[Fred W. Sweezer, Sr.]

Current Advice for Owners of Properties Using a Pushmatic or Bulldog Electrical Panel
Home inspectors encountering a Pushmatic or Bulldog brand electrical panel should warn consumers that

There are safety warnings but conflicting opinions among inspectors and electricians about these electrical panels under either the Pushmatic™ or Bulldog™ brand names
There are some reports of Pushmatic™ or Bulldog™ brand circuit breakers failure to trip
There are some reports of Pushmatic™ or Bulldog™ brand circuit breakers being difficult to operate (pushing the breaker in may not reliably "reset" the unit)
It is apparent that Pushmatic™ or Bulldog™ brand circuit breakers, use a less-reliable trip mechanism (no internal magnetic trip) than that offered by modern equipment.
On this basis and pending further research we consider these products questionable with conflicting opinions that currently deserve a warning but not a condemnation. Consumers should take advantage of evidence of any failures of the equipment, remodeling, or panel upgrade to meet growing usage requirements as opportunities to replace this obsolete equipment.
Consumers should be sure that their property is properly protected by smoke alarms

[Joshua L. Frederick]

Originally Posted by Marc D. Shunk

If PushMatic's were still made today, that would be my brand of choice.

This is what most of the electricians say around these parts. Say that there one of the best ever made.

[Nick Ferguson]

I am new to the site and dont know much about electrical, I am a renter and have a Bulldog Pushmatic panel in my home. We have been here for 7 months now but sence day one we have had a problem with the breaker for the dryer tripping every second load or so, the home is 50 years old or so and I would assume the panel is original.


After taking the face off the panel I noticed the wires to the dryer breaker were melted a bit, also often when we reset that breaker and turned the dryer back on it made a poping or sort of fizzling sound only faintly but enough for consern. I pulled it out and noticed char marks on the back of the panel aswell, it is a 30 but that seems low to me for a dryer.

As I stated earlier I am not good when it comes to electrical, do I have serious fire hazard proplems or would it be safe to pop in a 40 or 50 breaker and call it a day?

[Jim Port]

The dryer should only require a 30 amp double pole breaker. Installing a higher rated breaker would create a fire hazard.

As you are renting you need to contact your landlord and have them hire a licensed contractor to find the issue and fix it.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by Nick Ferguson

As I stated earlier I am not good when it comes to electrical, do I have serious fire hazard proplems or would it be safe to pop in a 40 or 50 breaker and call it a day?

Sounds like a potentially serious hazard already exists. Do not replace the breaker. Have a licensed electrician check the entire circuit to make sure that everything is working properly and to repair/replace whatever isn't. Given the stuff you've mentioned I would not attempt to use that appliance until after the problem has been resolved.