110.21(A)(2) Reconditioned Equipment.
Code Change Summary: Revised code language on rebuilt equipment.
Revisions occurred in the 2020 NEC® which provide additional insight on equipment that has been rebuilt or reconditioned. One new requirement is that the original listing mark must be removed. The idea is to ensure that a false impression is not given that the original listing mark covers the reconditioning of the equipment.
When a listing mark is placed on new electrical equipment before it leaves the factory, that listing mark attests that the equipment complied with the applicable standards at the initial time of manufacture. Once the equipment leaves the factory, is field installed and then rebuilt, there’s no way that the original listing label can be relied upon as a way to verify that the rebuilt equipment continues to comply with the newest version of the applicable standard.
Many equipment rebuilders have an agreement with a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) such as UL and are approved to remove the existing listing label upon refurbishing and replace it with a similar label that will include the word “rebuilt” or similar as part of the new listing label. This ensures that those responsible for installing and inspecting are aware that the product was rebuilt and compliant with the newest applicable product safety standard.
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:
110.21(A)(2) Reconditioned Equipment. Reconditioned equipment shall be marked with the name, trademark, or other descriptive marking by which the organization responsible for reconditioning the electrical equipment can be identified, along with the date of the reconditioning.
Reconditioned equipment shall be identified as “reconditioned” and approval of the reconditioned equipment shall not be based solely on the equipment’s original listing.
Exception: In industrial occupancies, where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment, the markings indicated in 110.21(A)(2) shall not be required.
Informational Note: Industry standards are available for application of reconditioned and refurbished equipment. Normal servicing of equipment that remains within a facility should not be considered reconditioning or refurbishing.
2020 Code Language:
110.21(A)(2) Reconditioned Equipment. Reconditioned equipment shall be marked with the name, trademark, or other descriptive marking by which the organization responsible for reconditioning the electrical equipment can be identified, along with the date of the reconditioning.
Reconditioned equipment shall be identified as “reconditioned” and the original listing mark removed. Approval of the reconditioned equipment shall not be based solely on the equipment’s original listing.
Exception: In industrial occupancies, where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment, the markings indicated in 110.21(A)(2) shall not be required for equipment that is reconditioned by the owner or operator as part of a regular equipment maintenance program.
Informational Note No. 1: Industry standards are available for application of reconditioned and refurbished equipment.
Informational Note No. 2: The term reconditioned may be interchangeable with the terms rebuilt, refurbished, or remanufactured.
Informational Note No. 3: The original listing mark may include the mark of the certifying body and not the entire equipment label.