Article 100 Reconditioned.

Normal maintenance within a facility on this draw-out type circuit breaker is not considered reconditioning.
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Normal maintenance within a facility on this draw-out type circuit breaker is not considered reconditioning.

Code Change Summary: New code definition for the term “reconditioned”.

In the past, the NEC® has not prohibited 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.

In the 2020 NEC®, a movement has occurred throughout the code book regarding what can and cannot be reconditioned but it all begins with the new definition in Article 100 of the term “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.

Reconditioning differs from the normal servicing of equipment that remains within a facility, or replacement of listed equipment on a one-on-one basis.

There are many draw-out type circuit breakers that are meant to be serviced and have identified serviceable or replaceable components (see image). Something like this, done by qualified electricians within a facility, is considered servicing or maintenance rather than “reconditioning”.

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 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2017 Code Language:

This code definition did not exist.

2020 Code Language:

Article 100.

N Reconditioned. Electromechanical systems, equipment, apparatus, or components that are restored to operating conditions. This process differs from normal servicing of equipment that remains within a facility, or replacement of listed equipment on a one-to-one basis.

Informational Note: The term reconditioned is frequently referred to as rebuilt, refurbished, or remanufactured.

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Article 100 Reconditioned.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2020 NEC, which of the following is true?

A: Reconditioned electrical equipment is not permitted in the NEC.
B: Reconditioning is the same as the replacement of listed equipment on a one-to-one basis.
C: Reconditioning is the same as the normal servicing of equipment that remains within a facility.
D: Reconditioning differs from normal servicing of equipment that remains within a facility, or replacement of listed equipment on a one-to-one basis.
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