We have a house built in 1951 with the old style Pushmatic circuit breakers. We are needing to replace the 220 dryer breaker. It is currently set up with two 1 pole 30amp breakers that have a steel push bar on them so both breakers can be reset with one push.

Bulldog or Bulldog-Pushmatic electrical panels use a unique, proprietary type of circuit breaker called a "Pushmatic." Bulldog panels with Pushmatic breakers indicate an older system that is no longer manufactured, making replacement parts …

 — My sister-in-law has an old "Pushmatic" breaker panel in her house, and the 2-pole 30A breaker (P230) that her clothes dryer is on has started tripping randomly. From what I've read this is a fairly common problem with Pushmatic breakers.

 — Pushmatic breakers bolt onto the buss bar as opposed to the snap-in style of breakers found in modern service panels. Learn to install a Pushmatic circuit breaker safely with the proper tools and basic electrical circuit knowledge.

Pushmatic electric panels were manufactured from the 1950s through 1980 and are now considered obsolete and potentially unsafe. Distinct style. The Pushmatic panel board and Pushmatic Bulldog circuit breaker were widely-used circuit breaker panels installed in properties that were built between the mid-1950s and early 1980s.

 — The article series discusses the history of Pushmatic breakes, gives advice to homeowners whose building is served by a Pushmatic electrical panel, and we discuss both compatability of and concerns when using replacement circuit breakers or used Pushmatic circuit breakers sold by salvage operatoers.

 — Pushmatic circuit breakers are no longer manufactured, but they can be found through salvage operators or as replacement breakers. When selecting replacement breakers, it is important to ensure that they are compatible with your Pushmatic panel.

Older Pushmatic panels are NOT compatible with the Pushmatic breakers sold today. There have been many reports of damage due to people attempting to force these new breakers to fit. Although the Pushmatic problem stems from the breakers, you can't use a different brand panel with Pushmatic breakers.

 — Electricians and insurance companies recommend replacing electric panels over 40 years old, mainly where aluminum or ungrounded wiring exists. These old breaker boxes are easily recognizable as they don't have switches but buttons you need to push when switching them off.

 — Although the Pushmatic breaker design was first produced in the late 1930s, most panels and breakers date from about 1950 through 1970. We have heard that they were manufactured up until the mid-1980s, but have never seen a Pushmatic in a home built after the '60s.