NEC 90.15: plain language explanation

What NEC 90.15 Actually Says

NEC 90.15 sets the ground rule for reconditioned equipment on the job. It states reconditioned equipment is permitted unless prohibited elsewhere in the Code or by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). It is a gate, not a green light. You still have to check the specific article covering the device in question.

Before 90.15 landed in Article 90, reconditioning guidance was scattered. Now it sits at the front of the book as a top-level rule, which means inspectors expect you to know it. If you touch used gear, salvage gear, or anything pulled from a decommissioned job, this section applies.

Pair 90.15 with NEC 110.21(A)(2) for marking rules and NEC 110.3(A) for suitability. Those three sections together cover most field questions about reused equipment.

What Counts as "Reconditioned"

Reconditioning means restoring used equipment to a condition that allows safe re-listing or reuse. That is different from maintenance, repair, or refurbishment. The Informational Note to Article 100 separates these clearly. If a technician replaces worn parts, tests, and re-marks a breaker, that is reconditioning. If a sparky tightens a lug and blows out dust, that is maintenance.

The distinction matters because 90.15 only governs reconditioned equipment. A used panel you pull, inspect, and reinstall without modification is not reconditioned, it is just used, and it still must comply with 110.3 and be suitable for the application.

• Reconditioned: restored by a qualified organization, remarked, often re-listed.
• Refurbished: cosmetic or minor functional restoration, not always code-defined.
• Repaired: fixed to restore original function, no re-listing.
• Maintained: routine service to keep equipment in its listed condition.

Where Reconditioning Is Prohibited

The 90.15 gate closes hard in several specific articles. You need to know these before you spec or install reconditioned gear. Getting caught with a reconditioned device in a prohibited location means a red tag and a rip-out.

Common prohibitions include molded-case circuit breakers under NEC 240.6 restrictions, GFCI and AFCI devices per NEC 210.8 and 210.12 listing requirements, and certain switchgear components. Check the article that governs the device every time. The rules are not intuitive, and they change between Code cycles.

1. Molded-case circuit breakers, reconditioning restricted per NEC 240.6 and related sections.
2. GFCI receptacles and devices, reconditioning not recognized under the listing standard referenced in NEC 210.8.
3. AFCI devices, same issue under NEC 210.12.
4. Equipment grounding conductors and bonding jumpers, never reconditioned, replaced.
5. Certain low-voltage power circuit breakers and MV switchgear, per manufacturer instructions and NEC 110.3(B).

Field tip: if the device has a semiconductor in it (GFCI, AFCI, SPD, solid-state relay), assume reconditioning is off the table until you prove otherwise. Electronics age, and the listing does not transfer across a rebuild.

Marking, Labeling, and the Paper Trail

NEC 110.21(A)(2) requires reconditioned equipment to be marked with the name, trademark, or other descriptive marking of the organization responsible for the reconditioning, along with the date. The original manufacturer's nameplate must either be removed or covered if it no longer reflects the reconditioned state. No marking, no install.

Ask for the reconditioner's documentation. A reputable outfit will provide a report showing what was replaced, what was tested, and to what standard (often NEMA AB 4 for molded-case breakers or PRL-1 for switchgear). File this with your closeout package. Inspectors increasingly ask for it on commercial and industrial jobs.

Field Application Checklist

Before you hang reconditioned gear, walk through a short check. This keeps you out of trouble on the inspection and out of court if something fails later. The AHJ has final say under 90.15 and 90.4, so build a relationship with your inspector and ask before you install on anything borderline.

• Confirm the specific article for the device allows reconditioning.
• Verify the reconditioner's marking per 110.21(A)(2), name and date.
• Get the test report and file it with the job package.
• Check suitability for the environment per 110.3(A) and 110.11.
• Match interrupting rating, voltage, and frequency to the application.
• Notify the AHJ if the install is in a critical system (hospital, data center, life safety).

Field tip: on industrial retrofits, reconditioned medium-voltage breakers are common and cost-effective. Get the AHJ on board in writing before the breakers ship. A one-page letter now beats a rip-and-replace later.

Why This Section Exists

The reconditioning market grew fast, and the Code needed a clear front-of-book statement. 90.15 puts the rule where every electrician will see it when they open Article 90. It shifts the default from "maybe allowed" to "allowed unless the specific article says no," which is cleaner for both installers and inspectors.

Treat 90.15 as your starting point, not your ending point. The real work is in the device-specific articles and the listing standards behind them. When the article is silent, the AHJ decides, and 90.4 backs that authority. Know the rule, carry the paperwork, and keep the reconditioner's contact info in your phone.