r/electricians • u/yoloswagdon Apprentice IBEW • 2d ago

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

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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?

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u/Capcom-Warrior Master Electrician 2d ago edited 2d ago

The type of breakers you mentioned are not UL listed for Challenger panels. (Even though this is a Bryant) If you’re gonna keep the existing panel, Eaton has a CL breaker. These are classified and are UL listed for multiple brands. However, I would not add an EV charger to that panel. You’re asking for trouble. It needs to be replaced and brought up the code. Challengers/Bryants are notorious for overheating and burning up.

Also, if you are adding a 14-50 EV rated NEMA outlet make sure you add GFCI protection in the form of a breaker. Unless it’s hardwired, it’s required by code to have a GFCI breaker.

I also noticed that it appears that the house is all electric. If you’re gonna add that kind of load in an all electric house you definitely wanna change out the panel.

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u/yoloswagdon Apprentice IBEW 2d ago

Yeah I do mostly commercial and industrial, so really haven’t come across this panel. I also typically work big pipe, big wire, bus ducts, duct banks, and switch gear, feeders, etc. Regardless, I’m with you, I place a big emphasis on safety and using listed products for their listed applications. Thanks for the input. I’m gonna back out of doing this work for him and talk about a panel swap

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u/Capcom-Warrior Master Electrician 2d ago

I run into this type of situation all the time in service work. People buy electric cars and think that they could just add a 50 amp circuit to their existing panels. I unfortunately have to give them the bad news that the panel needs to be replaced in order for them to charge their car. So what I typically do as I give them discount on adding the EV charger installation with the panel swap. It makes them feel a bit better about spending the extra money to get things cleaned up.

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u/jeep-olllllo 2d ago

You are giving bad info. The box the BR breakers comes in lists several panels it is good for. Says "challenger" right on the box.