3 Reasons Pushmatic Panels Are Considered Unsafe

So your electrician told you that you have a Pushmatic panel.
That probably left you wondering, “Okay… is that good or bad?” Here’s the short answer: Pushmatic panels are old, and they’ve built a reputation for being unreliable when it comes to protecting a home from electrical problems. All licensed electricians agree that Pushmatic panels are among the five most concerning electrical panels still out there.

At Integra Electrical, we’ve seen these panels cause more headaches than most homeowners expect. Breakers that won’t reset, power that cuts out without warning, and equipment that doesn’t trip when it should, all of these are common with Pushmatic panels. That’s why electricians flag them during an inspection: not to scare anyone, but to make sure homeowners know what they’re dealing with.

The top 3 problems with pushmatic panels are: 

• Breakers That Stick and Fail to Trip
• Breakers That Falsely Indicate They’re Off
• Limited Parts and Maintenance Challenges

Pushmatic Breakers Stick and Fail to Trip

Pushmatic panels use a push-button style breaker instead of the familiar flip switch found in modern panels. Over time, those buttons can get stiff and harder to operate because the grease inside these breakers dries out from heating and cooling, which makes them stop working the way they should. Think of it like an old sticky door latch, you can push and push, but it just doesn’t budge the way it should.

The problem is that a sticky breaker isn’t just frustrating; it can also fail at its main job. When a circuit pulls more electricity than it should, the breaker is supposed to shut things down before wires overheat. If the breaker jams, the system may keep running under too much strain.

Homeowners often first notice this when a breaker feels stubborn, won’t reset smoothly, or seems like it takes more muscle than it should. It’s one of those little annoyances that hides a bigger risk: if a breaker can’t move freely, it might not react fast enough to protect the home when it matters most.

Breakers That Falsely Indicate They're Off

Most people assume that when a breaker is switched off, the power is cut and it’s safe to work on. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case with Pushmatic panels. These breakers have been known to look like they’re off while still carrying live electricity.

That creates a dangerous false sense of security. A homeowner, or even an electrician, might open a circuit thinking it’s dead, only to find out the hard way that power is still flowing.

This flaw was one of the key issues raised in safety investigations and lawsuits against FPE. Breakers are supposed to be a reliable line of defense. When the switch lies, it turns a basic safety step into a serious risk.

Pushmatic has Limted Parts & Maintenance

Pushmatic panels haven’t been made for decades, which means the parts are hard to come by. If a breaker goes bad, finding a replacement isn’t as simple as a quick trip to the hardware store. Many times, the parts are either expensive, refurbished, or not available at all.

This leaves homeowners in a tough spot. A breaker that doesn’t work right can’t always be swapped out with something new, and electricians often have to hunt down used parts just to keep the panel running. Imagine trying to fix a 50-year-old car with parts that are no longer manufactured; that’s what it feels like to service a Pushmatic.

The end result? Repairs take longer, cost more, and still don’t bring the panel up to modern safety standards. It’s like patching an old roof with duct tape; it might hold for a while, but it’s not

Next Steps

Pushmatic panels carry risks. The breakers stick, there’s no main shut-off, and replacement parts are tough to find. None of these issues happens every day, but when they do, they often catch homeowners off guard.

If you’ve been told you have a Pushmatic panel, the most important step is awareness. The next step is understanding what it might take to update or replace it. To get a clearer idea of what that could look like for your home, try our Panel Upgrades Calculator. It’s a quick way to see what options and costs could be on the horizon, no pressure, just useful information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Pushmatic panels illegal?

No, they’re not illegal. But they are considered outdated and have been flagged by safety experts as one of the riskiest panel types still in use. Most electricians recommend replacing them instead of repairing them long-term.

How do I know if I have a Pushmatic panel?

You can usually spot them by the push-button style breakers instead of the typical flip switches. The panel door often has the word “Pushmatic” stamped on it as well.

Do all Pushmatic panels need to be replaced?

Not every panel fails at the same rate, but they all share the same design flaws. Because replacement parts are limited and the technology is outdated, many homeowners choose to plan for an upgrade before problems appear.

What happens if a Pushmatic breaker doesn’t trip?

When a breaker sticks on instead of tripping, it may allow too much current to flow through the wires. This can create hazardous overheating conditions, damage appliances, or even lead to larger electrical issues throughout the home.