408.2 Reconditioned Equipment.
Code Change Summary: Revisions were made regarding the reconditioning of switchboards, switchgear and panelboards.
In the 2023 NEC®, the rules previously located in Section 408.8 regarding the reconditioning of panelboards, switchboards, and switchgear were revised and relocated to Section 408.2.
The revised code language was shortened up for clarity and the previous language regarding replacement panelboards was relocated to new Section 408.9 since replacing a panelboard within an existing enclosure is not considered “reconditioning” and thus should not be part of Section 408.2 which only addresses reconditioning of the equipment.
The NEC® does not prohibit installing used, reconditioned electrical equipment, but Section 104.9.1 of the International Building Code requires the following:
104.9.1 Used materials and equipment. Materials that are reused shall comply with the requirements of this code for new materials. Used equipment and devices shall not be reused unless approved by the building official.
Since the 2020 NEC®, a movement has been occurring throughout the code book to provide clarity on what types of electrical equipment and devices are permitted to be reconditioned.
Reconditioning of electrical equipment means restoring something to operating conditions. Typically, when this is permitted by the NEC®, the equipment is required to be rebuilt to the most current UL standard which would apply to new equipment. It would be far from code compliant to purchase a 1950’s multisection switchboard and clean it up to reuse it unless it was completely restored by an authorized person and evaluated to the most current UL standard that applies to a new switchboard.
In Section 408.2 of the 2023 NEC®, the rules for reconditioning of switchboards, switchgear and panelboards are summed up as follows:
- Panelboards are NOT permitted to be reconditioned.
- Switchboards and switchgear, or sections of switchboards or switchgear are permitted to be reconditioned.
Keep in mind that reconditioned switchboards or switchgear still need to comply with Section 110.21(A)(2). Listed equipment that is reconditioned must have the original listing mark removed or made permanently illegible. For equipment that has a listing mark integrated into the nameplate, only the part of the nameplate that includes the listing mark must be removed or made illegible.
110.21(A)(2) Reconditioned equipment must be marked with the following:
- The name, trademark, or other descriptive marking of the organization that performed the reconditioning
- The date of the reconditioning
- The term reconditioned or other approved wording or symbol indicating that the equipment has been reconditioned
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2020 Code Language:
408.8 Reconditioning of Equipment. Reconditioning of equipment within the scope of this article shall be limited as described in 408.8(A) and (B). The reconditioning process shall use design qualified parts verified under applicable standards and be performed in accordance with any instructions provided by the manufacturer. If equipment has been damaged by fire, products of combustion, or water, it shall be specifically evaluated by its manufacturer or a qualified testing laboratory prior to being returned to service.
408.8(A) Panelboards. Panelboards shall not be permitted to be reconditioned. This shall not prevent the replacement of a panelboard within an enclosure. In the event the replacement has not been listed for the specific enclosure and the available fault current is greater than 10,000 amperes, the completed work shall be field labeled, and any previously applied listing marks on the cabinet that pertain to the panelboard shall be removed.
408.8(B) Switchboards and Switchgear. Switchboards and switchgear, or sections of switchboards or switchgear, shall be permitted to be reconditioned. Reconditioned switchgear shall be listed or field labeled as reconditioned, and previously applied listing marks, if any, within the portions reconditioned shall be removed.
2023 Code Language:
408.2 Reconditioned Equipment. The use of reconditioned equipment within the scope of this article shall be limited as described in 408.2(A) and (B). If equipment has been damaged by fire, products of combustion, corrosive influences, or water, it shall be specifically evaluated by its manufacturer or a qualified testing laboratory prior to being returned to service.
(A) Panelboards. Reconditioned panelboards shall not be permitted.
(B) Switchboards and Switchgear. Reconditioned switchboards and switchgear, or sections of switchboards or switchgear, shall be permitted.