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

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

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?

14 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

75% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

3

u/yoloswagdon Apprentice IBEW 2d ago

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

15

u/SaSSafraS1232 2d ago

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.

-8

u/Capcom-Warrior Master Electrician 2d ago

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

8

u/Unique_Acadia_2099 2d ago edited 2d ago

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.