What breaker is compatible with challenger breakers?

Cutler-Hammer Type BR/C and Connecticut Electric are your trustworthy substitute breakers for Challenger panels.

Should Challenger breakers be replaced?





Challenger electrical panels are no longer available because they do not meet today’s UL safety standards. If you still have a Challenger box in your home, you should consider getting the panel replaced.

Are GE and Challenger breakers compatible?

If you have a Challenger system, however, you need to arrange a panel upgrade. If your Challenger model is no longer made, circuit breakers can be replaced with several compatible brands, including GE.

Who makes Challenger breakers now?

The Challenger mark is owned by American Circuit Breaker Company, which makes aftermarket FPE breakers for small breakers. After the sale of the Challenger division to Westinghouse, the switchgear end of things ended up being bought out by Cutler Hammer.

What is wrong with challenger electrical panels?

Challenger panels posed safety hazards very similar to that of Zinsco. The biggest concern for Challengers were their issue with overheating. In turn, that can cause many other issues, like fusing and/or melting, corrosion, or actual fires. Occasionally they don’t trip at all, or just may take too long to trip.

Are challenger Type C breakers safe?





If you’re living in an old house, questions like “are Challenger electrical panels safe” are expected. On a similar note, the answer is simple too. It is unsafe to use Challenger breaker boxes because overheating and old age issues exist.

Are Challenger breakers still made?

Fortunately the Challenger products in question are no longer manufactured. In fact, Challenger is no longer in business; the remaining product lines were acquired by Eaton/Cutler Hammer.

Are Challenger panels recalled?

Challenger. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Challenger electrical panels were installed into hundreds of thousands of homes, but they were recalled in 1988 .

Can I replace Challenger breaker with Eaton?

You must change every breaker in the panel to BR type



Since the Challenger breakers are dangerous, every breaker in your panel needs to be a Type BR/Type C from Bryant, Cutler Hammer or Eaton. If it’s not, change it now.

When did they stop making challenger electrical panels?



In 1973, the GTE Corporation launched an electric panel design and called it “Challenger”. The Challenger panel was installed in thousands of homes between 1980s to 1990s.

How do I identify my Challenger electrical panel?

To identify if you have a Challenger panel, open your panel cover. The black circuit breakers are labeled with Challenger. You can also look at the design/font of the number on the break to see if it matches this image. You can see evidence of overheating at mid right bus bar by the discoloration.

How do you remove a breaker from a Dodge Challenger?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And you take your wire out. And then to get your breaker out a lot of times you're going to go in behind it like this and pop it out. Okay this is this is a color Hamner. The brown type.

How much does it cost to replace a challenger electrical panel?



The average cost to replace a breaker box is $1,475 with most homeowners spending between $1,287 and $1,707. A low-amp subpanel costs from $500 to $1,000 while a 200-amp panel upgrade runs up to $4,000.



Cost To Replace Circuit Breaker Box.

National Average Cost $1,475
Maximum Cost $4,000
Average Range $1,287 to $1,707

How do I know if a circuit breaker is bad?

Key Indicators to Tell if You Have a Bad Circuit Breaker

  1. Breaker Doesn’t Stay in “Reset” Mode.
  2. Burning smell.
  3. Hot to the touch.
  4. Visible damage to the box or outlets.
  5. Breaker trips frequently.
  6. Old Age.