Overview

Equipment costs and lead-times can become a major logistical problem for new electrical installations. One method of mitigating these problems is to use reconditioned equipment. New Section 110.20 establishes a general provisionpermitting the use of reconditioned equipment, except where specifically prohibited. This new section is broken up into three subdivisions that specifically cover equipment that is required to be listed, equipment that is not required to be listed, and equipment that doesn’t conform with the first two subdivisions. This new Section 110.20 will provide solid guidelines for selecting, inspecting, evaluating, and approving reconditioned equipment.

Applying the 2023 Code

New Section 110.20 establishes a blanket general provision for equipment to be reconditioned, unless specifically prohibited elsewhere in the code. The reconditioned equipment is required to be restored to operating condition using identified replacement parts provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), or designed by a qualified engineer. The new section is further broken down into three subdivisions. Subdivision A requires any equipment originally required to be listed or field labeled as reconditioned. Subdivision B provides provisions for equipment that is not required to listed. It states that the equipment needs to be listed or field labeled as reconditioned, or reconditioned in accordance with the OEM’s instructions. The last subdivision (C) provides provisions for the event that options specified in (A) or (B) are not available. It permits the AHJ the ability to approve reconditioned equipment, provided the reconditioner can provide the AHJ with documentation of the changes made to the equipment.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

2020 NEC

In the 2020 NEC Section 110.20 did not exist.

2023 NEC

In the 2023 NEC Section 110.20 reads as follows:

110.20 Reconditioned Equipment.

Reconditioned equipment shall be permitted except where prohibited elsewhere in this Code. Equipment that is restored to operating condition shall be reconditioned with identified replacement parts, verified under applicable standards, that are either provided by the original equipment manufacturer or that are designed by an engineer experienced in the design of replacement parts for the type of equipment being reconditioned.

(A) Equipment Required to Be Listed.

Equipment that is reconditioned and required by this Code to be listed shall be listed or field labeled as reconditioned using available instructions from the original equipment manufacturer.

(B) Equipment Not Required to Be Listed.

Equipment that is reconditioned and not required by this Code to be listed shall comply with one of the following:

(1) Be listed or field labeled as reconditioned

(2) Have the reconditioning performed in accordance with the original equipment manufacturer instructions

(C) Approved Equipment.

If the options specified in 110.20(A) or (B) are not available, the authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to approve reconditioned equipment, and the reconditioner shall provide the authority having jurisdiction with documentation of the changes to the product.