Overview

The use of refurbished equipment can be a great way to save money on a project. In some cases, it may be the only way to get parts for older equipment, such as switchgear. The 2023 NEC consolidates the requirements for reconditioned equipment, and moves them to section 240.2. Not only does it keep the previous requirements, but it adds a new requirement prohibiting the refurbishing of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). These new requirements will ensure increased safety for electrical systems by ensuring new and listed equipment replaces old and worn-out equipment.

Applying the 2023 Code

In the previous edition of the National Electrical Code, reconditioning requirements were located in Section 240.62, and Section 240.88. These requirements have been moved to Section 240.2 in the 2023 NEC. Not only were these requirements moved, but an additional requirement prohibiting the refurbishment of ground-fault circuit interrupters has been added. Equipment providing ground-fault protection of equipment (GFPE), ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), low voltage fuseholders/nonrenewable fuse, molded-case circuit breakers, and low-voltage power circuit breaker electronic trip units are all prohibited from refurbishment. Low-voltage power circuit breakers and electromechanical protective relays and current transformers are permitted to be refurbished. This consolidation will make it easier to navigate the requirements of refurbished equipment in the NEC, and will help ensure that when non-serviceable equipment reaches the end of its useful life-cycle, it is replaced with new and listed equipment; making for a safer electrical installation.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

2020 NEC

In the 2020 NEC Section 240.2 contained the definitions for Article 240. Since the definitions were moved to Article 100 in the 2023 NEC, Section 240.2 was available for new content. The previous information in 240.2 was not related to the new requirements of 240.2 in the 2023 NEC, and therefore will not be listed here.

2023 NEC

In the 2023 NEC Section 240.2 now reads as follows:

240.2 Reconditioned Equipment.

(A) Reconditioning Not Permitted.
The following equipment shall not be reconditioned:
(1) Equipment providing ground-fault protection of equipment
(2) Ground-fault circuit interrupters
(3) Low-voltage fuseholders and low-voltage nonrenewable fuses
(4) Molded-case circuit breakers
(5) Low-voltage power circuit breaker electronic trip units.

(B) Reconditioning Permitted.
The following equipment shall be permitted to be reconditioned:
(1) Low-voltage power circuit breakers
(2) Electromechanical protective relays and current transformers

Reconditioned equipment shall be listed as reconditioned and comply with 110.21(A)(2).