Challenger Panel Warning

No—Challenger panels require more nuanced evaluation than Federal Pacific or Zinsco. The original "Type A" side-clip breakers manufactured by GTE-Sylvania are considered unsafe due to poor bus bar connections that cause arcing. However, when Westinghouse acquired Challenger in 1988, they redesigned the breakers using the Bryant (now Eaton) BR design, which is generally considered safe. The challenge is identifying which type you have. A professional inspection can determine whether your panel has the unsafe Type A breakers or the redesigned Type C breakers.

The only official CPSC recall (Recall #88-095) affected specific GFCI breakers—not the panels themselves. The recalled breakers are Type HAGF-15 and HAGF-20 GFCI breakers manufactured between February 22 and April 29, 1988 (about a 2-month window). These breakers have a yellow "test" button and white-lettered handle numbers. Only about 9,000 units were affected. We can inspect your panel to check for recalled breakers and assess overall condition.

Some Eaton BR breakers are designed to be compatible with Challenger panels—Eaton acquired Challenger through its Westinghouse purchase. All modern Eaton BR breakers are cross-listed as compatible with Challenger Type C or Type A panels. However, there are two different Challenger panel designs with different bus bar configurations. The later design accepts Eaton BR breakers; the earlier design may not. A licensed electrician should verify compatibility before installing any breakers.

It depends on your specific situation. If your panel has Type A (side-clip) breakers or recalled GFCI breakers, replacement is strongly recommended. If you have the later Type C breakers (Westinghouse/Eaton design) and the panel shows no signs of overheating or damage, the panel may be acceptable—though it's still 25-50 years old. Consider replacement if: you're experiencing insurance issues, planning electrical work, or want peace of mind. We can assess your specific panel and provide a recommendation.

Some home inspectors and electricians argue that Type C Challenger panels (with the Westinghouse-redesigned breakers) are no more dangerous than other 30+ year old panels, and note there are few documented Challenger panel fires compared to FPE or Zinsco. This is a valid perspective for the later Type C panels. However, the original Type A panels have documented connection problems. The debate largely comes down to which type of breakers your specific panel has—and many homeowners don't know the difference. When in doubt, replacement eliminates uncertainty.

Type A breakers are the original GTE-Sylvania design with a "side-clip" half-space connection to the bus bar. This design creates poor contact and is known for arcing and overheating—these are unsafe and should be replaced. Type C breakers were introduced when Westinghouse redesigned the product line. They're essentially the same as Eaton BR breakers (Westinghouse replaced the original designs with Bryant BR technology). Type C breakers have a standard full-width design with better bus bar contact. While outdated, they're not considered inherently dangerous.