Understanding Pushmatic Electrical Panels: Upgrade or Replace?
Introduction
If your Los Angeles home was built between the 1950s and 1980s, there's a good chance your electrical panel is a Pushmatic model. These distinctive panels with their push-button circuit breakers were once considered innovative, but today they're recognized as a significant safety concern. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we've upgraded hundreds of Pushmatic panels across Los Angeles, and we want to help you understand why your old panel may be putting your home at risk and what options you have moving forward.
What Are Pushmatic Electrical Panels and Why Are They Problematic?
Pushmatic panels were manufactured by the Bulldog Electric Products Company and became popular residential panels during the mid-twentieth century. Unlike traditional toggle-switch circuit breakers, Pushmatic panels feature push-button mechanisms that were intended to be easier to operate. However, this design has proven problematic over the decades.
The fundamental issue with Pushmatic panels is that they use only thermal trip mechanisms to detect overloads, whereas modern circuit breakers incorporate both thermal and magnetic protection. According to industry experts at leading electrical firms, Pushmatic breakers become progressively harder to reset as they age, often becoming stiff and unresponsive. This means that in an emergency electrical situation—exactly when you need your breaker to trip and cut off power—it may fail to respond, leaving your Los Angeles home vulnerable to electrical fires and other hazards.
The obsolescence of Pushmatic panels has made finding replacement breakers nearly impossible. Even if a single breaker fails, you may need to replace the entire panel rather than swap out one component. Shaffer Construction frequently encounters homeowners who discover this frustrating reality when they try to repair a single faulty breaker.
The Critical Safety Risks of Aging Pushmatic Breakers
The most dangerous aspect of Pushmatic panels is the failure-to-trip phenomenon. When a circuit breaker fails to trip during an overload or short circuit, the electrical current continues flowing unchecked through your wiring. This uncontrolled current generates excessive heat, which can ignite the insulation around your wires and cause electrical fires within your walls. These fires are particularly dangerous because they may go unnoticed until significant damage has occurred.
Many insurance companies have recognized these dangers. Some carriers, including major providers in California, now refuse to insure homes with Pushmatic panels unless they are upgraded to modern systems. If you're having trouble securing home insurance or facing higher premiums, your Pushmatic panel may be the culprit. Shaffer Construction helps homeowners understand these insurance implications and can upgrade your panel to restore coverage eligibility.
The electrical code community and fire safety organizations recommend replacing Pushmatic panels that are more than 40 years old. Given that most Pushmatic installations are now 45-70 years old, virtually all remaining systems need replacement. This is not a situation where you can simply monitor and maintain your panel—replacement is the appropriate solution for safety-conscious homeowners in Los Angeles.
Modern Electrical Demands: Why Your Pushmatic Panel Can't Keep Up
Even if your Pushmatic panel's breakers were functioning perfectly, the panel's capacity would likely be insufficient for modern home electrical demands. Most Pushmatic panels are rated at only 60 or 100 amps, whereas modern homes require 200-amp service. This difference isn't merely about quantity—it reflects the dramatic increase in how much electricity contemporary households consume.
Today's homes are full of power-hungry appliances and technologies that didn't exist when Pushmatic panels were standard: air conditioning systems, modern kitchen appliances, computer networks, electric water heaters, and electric vehicle chargers. Each of these demands dedicated circuits and substantial amperage. If you're attempting to run 2025 household loads through a 1960s electrical panel, you're creating a bottleneck that can trigger frequent breaker trips, damage appliances, and increase your risk of electrical problems.
As Los Angeles continues to lead the nation in electric vehicle adoption, panel upgrades have become even more critical. A Level 2 EV charger—the standard for residential installation—requires a dedicated 40 to 60-amp circuit at 240 volts. If your Pushmatic panel is already stretched thin powering your home's existing systems, adding an EV charger may be impossible without a complete panel upgrade. Shaffer Construction specializes in evaluating your current panel capacity and determining whether an upgrade is necessary for your electrical goals.
Pushmatic Panels and Electric Vehicle Charger Installation
For Los Angeles homeowners and business owners considering electric vehicle chargers, Pushmatic panels present a unique challenge. As we discuss in detail in our guide on EV charger installation in Los Angeles, proper electrical planning is essential to successful installation. A Pushmatic panel complicates this planning significantly.
Many Los Angeles residents cannot simply add an EV charger to their existing Pushmatic system. Instead, they need a complete panel upgrade to 200-amp service before charger installation can proceed. This requirement stems from both practical electrical capacity constraints and building code compliance. The good news is that once your panel is upgraded, your home gains not only EV charging capability but also a solid foundation for decades of safe, reliable electrical service.
Shaffer Construction offers comprehensive electrical load studies to determine your exact power requirements. These studies calculate your current electrical consumption and project future needs, giving you a clear picture of the appropriate panel size and capacity. For Los Angeles properties planning EV charger installation, this assessment is invaluable in avoiding costly surprises during the installation process.
The Upgrade Process and What to Expect
Upgrading a Pushmatic panel is a complex task that requires a licensed electrician and proper permits. This is never a do-it-yourself project—working with live electrical panels carries serious risks of injury or electrocution. At Shaffer Construction, our licensed electricians follow a systematic process to ensure your upgrade is completed safely and to code.
The first step is a comprehensive assessment of your electrical needs. We evaluate your current panel, examine all circuits, calculate your total electrical load, and discuss your future plans—including potential EV charger installation. This assessment informs the selection of your new panel's amperage rating, typically 200 amps for modern homes in Los Angeles.
Next, we obtain the necessary permits from your local Los Angeles municipality. Electrical work of this magnitude requires inspection to ensure compliance with the current National Electrical Code and local regulations. Skipping the permit process may seem appealing but creates serious liability and safety issues.
The actual installation typically takes 4-8 hours depending on your home's complexity. During this time, we carefully remove the old Pushmatic panel, install the new panel in its place, reconnect all circuits safely and methodically, and conduct thorough testing. Your power will be disconnected during the upgrade, which is why many homeowners schedule this work strategically.
After installation, the local building inspector verifies that the new panel meets all codes and regulations. Once it passes inspection, your upgraded electrical system is ready to power modern appliances, support additional circuits, and accommodate future technologies like EV chargers. This is an investment in safety and functionality that protects your Los Angeles home for decades.
Costs, Insurance, and Long-Term Benefits
The cost of upgrading from a Pushmatic panel to a modern 200-amp system typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 in the Los Angeles area, depending on your specific circumstances and whether additional work (like meter base replacement) is necessary. While this represents a significant investment, consider it in context: the cost of an electrical fire, the danger to your family, the loss of insurance coverage, or the inability to install EV charging infrastructure far exceeds the upgrade cost.
Many homeowners recover the upgrade cost through insurance savings. Once your panel is upgraded, insurance premiums may decrease, and you'll restore coverage if it was previously denied. Additionally, a modern electrical system increases your property's value and marketability. When you eventually sell your Los Angeles home, a properly upgraded electrical system is a strong selling point that buyers and inspectors appreciate.
Beyond financial considerations, the peace of mind is invaluable. A modern panel provides the reliable protection your family deserves. Your breakers will trip instantly when they detect problems. You'll have capacity for the appliances and technologies you want to use. Your home will be compliant with current electrical codes. And if you decide to install an EV charger—something increasingly common in Los Angeles—your panel will support it. At Shaffer Construction, we believe upgrading from a Pushmatic panel is one of the smartest investments you can make in your home's safety and future.
Shaffer Construction: Your Los Angeles Electrical Panel Experts
Shaffer Construction, Inc. has been serving Los Angeles with professional electrical services since our inception. Our team of licensed electricians specializes in evaluating and upgrading outdated electrical systems, including Pushmatic panels. We understand the unique challenges of Los Angeles homes—from older Spanish Colonial properties to modern residences—and we have experience working with every panel type and vintage.
When you choose Shaffer Construction for your panel upgrade, you receive more than just the installation. We provide a thorough assessment of your electrical needs, guidance on the upgrade process, project management through permits and inspections, and professional craftsmanship you can trust. We're transparent about costs, we respect your timeline, and we treat your home with the same care we'd apply to our own properties.
Whether you're concerned about safety, planning to install an EV charger, or simply want a modern electrical system that meets current codes, Shaffer Construction is here to help. We've helped hundreds of Los Angeles homeowners transition from problematic Pushmatic panels to safe, modern electrical infrastructure. We'd be happy to evaluate your panel and discuss your options with no obligation.
Conclusion
Pushmatic electrical panels were products of their time, but that time has long passed. If your Los Angeles home features one of these panels, upgrade should be a priority rather than an optional improvement. The safety risks of aging breakers, the inability to support modern electrical demands, and the challenges they pose for future technologies like EV chargers all point toward the same conclusion: it's time for a modern panel.
The process of upgrading your panel is straightforward when you work with experienced professionals. The cost is reasonable when compared to the risks and benefits. And the peace of mind knowing your home has a safe, modern electrical system is priceless. For expert electrical services in Los Angeles, including panel upgrades, electrical load studies, and EV charger installation, contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. Call us at 323-642-8509 or email hello@shaffercon.com to schedule your free electrical assessment. Let's make sure your Los Angeles home has the safe, reliable electrical system it deserves.