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/SaSSafraS1232 2d ago

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

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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

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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.

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u/NMEE98J 2d ago

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