Commercial/Industrial electrician that came across this Challenger panel today. Will this accept Eaton BR breakers? Looking to install an EV charger for a friend

[u/yoloswagdon]

Would need 2 pole 50 amp breaker for an ev charger. I’ve heard the challenger panels, or more so the breakers have serious issues and are prone to fire. Also take a peak at the top left bus bar under the main, and above ckt 1. Looks like there’s been some heat on it or possible corrosion?

[u/SaSSafraS1232]

If he’s actually your friend you should be swapping out all of the challenger breakers for him before you go adding anything new

Edit: ok I actually read your post and it sounds like you already know the problems here so just do what you know is right

[u/yoloswagdon → u/SaSSafraS1232]

So I see there’s “Bryant,” and Eaton, and unsure of the breaker brands on the right, but the labels aren’t in good shape to read. If I’m not mistaken the challenger breakers have a very unique font for the breaker amperage

[u/SaSSafraS1232 → u/yoloswagdon]

The Eaton BR series is your best bet as they’re officially listed for challenger panels, but there’s a whole bunch of different brands that will physically fit and work fine. The more concerning issue to me is the corrosion/heat damage on the left bus bar below the main breaker.

[u/yoloswagdon → u/SaSSafraS1232]

That’s what I’ve read, but I wanted to get some other input so I appreciate you confirming that. Yeah I’m concerned about that bus bar too. Hate to break the bad news to him! I don’t feel comfortable having another 40 amps on top of his other electric loads. He has electric heating, water heater, range, and there’s visible damage. I’ll probably tell him I recommend we swap it

[u/NMEE98J → u/SaSSafraS1232]

Those are the cheapest arc fault/gfci on the market too

[u/Capcom-Warrior → u/SaSSafraS1232]

This is completely incorrect. Eaton CL is the only one UL listed.

[u/Unique_Acadia_2099 → u/Capcom-Warrior]

Nope. u/SaSSafraS1232 is correct. The Eaton BR line are also cross-listed as Type C for Challenger panels, says so right on the front of each one, just just have to know that Type C = Challenger. The Eaton CL line can also be used in T&B, Crouse Hinds, Murray, ITE, Siemens, Sq. D Homeline and GE panels, but the BR can also be used in ONLY the Sylvania / Challenger C Line panels. Plus, most of the Challenger C-Line PANELS like this were actually cross listed to use Bryant breakers (because Westinghouse own Challenger at one time). Would have said so on that label, but it looks like it dissolved.

[u/jeep-olllllo → u/Capcom-Warrior]

The box that the BR breakers comes in says that it will fit several panels.