A reader of this column contacted the magazine with a question and a concern that seems to be common in the electrical industry. The issue involved the electrical supply chain and the lack of readily available equipment from electrical supply houses and manufacturers.

The reader was having trouble finding 400A meter sockets for his work in the Charlotte, N.C., area, and any he did find were extremely expensive. It was interesting that this same issue came up not long ago.

I attended the 2023 Southwestern/Northwestern Section annual meeting of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors meeting in Bakersfield, Calif. This same question of lead time and availability was raised with the four major manufacturers of power electrical equipment that attended the meeting. What amazed me is that, for the most part, the manufacturers all admitted to similar lead time availability. We did not ask them to substantiate the increase in cost for their equipment but, again, we assumed the prices would be fairly consistent and competitive.

Lag times still linger

I checked with one of the leading electrical power manufacturers in Phoenix and was provided with the lead times for common electrical equipment as of Sept. 11, 2023. The list of these lead times is as follows: 28–48 weeks for most panelboards; 52 weeks for switchboards with molded-case circuit breakers up to 2,500A; and 84-plus weeks for switchboards with a power circuit breaker of 3,000A and higher. 

Low-voltage power circuit breaker switchgear, based on UL 1558, required a pre-order time of 90 weeks plus 12 weeks for drawings. Automatic transfer switches required 45 weeks for up to 1,200A and 80 weeks for transfer switches that were 1,600A and larger. Motor control centers required from 40 to 60 weeks, depending upon complexity, with an additional 15 weeks for drawings. Heavy-duty disconnect switches in sizes of 30A, 60A, 100A and 200A could be found in stock at the supply houses or could be up to 10 weeks where in stock. Heavy-duty disconnect switches of 400A and higher were up to 20 weeks. Dry-type transformers in sizes 15 kVA, 30 kVA, 45 kVA or 75 kVA are normally in stock somewhere in the supply chain. Dry-type transformers of 400 kVA and higher are about 18 weeks from the date of order. Mini power centers were 38 weeks out and residential all-in-ones were 35 weeks.

I was aghast at the time lag between ordering and receiving this vital electrical equipment. Part of the issue can be blamed on the lingering effects of the pandemic with lack of labor availability, demand, transportation delay and lowered production. 

ECs of every size face the same issues, so all must work smarter and stockpile critical components so projects can be started and finished in a reasonable time. Contractors may have to project further in advance and stockpile parts that were previously readily available at the supply house. This stockpiling might require using money previously set aside for business expansion, new truck purchases, tools and operating equipment, or working with the local banks for short-term loans.

A solution?

With the adoption of the 2017 National Electrical Code, use of reconditioned electrical equipment may be a partial answer to some of these availability problems, especially for those ECs doing maintenance and industrial work. 

Section 110.21(A)(2) was inserted into the 2017 NEC to help deal with increased use of reconditioned equipment. The equipment must 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 must be identified as such and approval of the reconditioned equipment cannot not be based solely on the equipment’s original listing. An exception for industrial occupancies states “where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment, the markings indicated here are not required.”

In the 2017, 2020 and 2023 editions, each NEC panel has provided permission and restrictions on the type of equipment that can be reconditioned. Accessing this permissive and restrictive information is critical for anyone doing reconditioning of equipment. Remember, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) should always be consulted before work begins to ensure ready acceptance of the equipment upon completion.

Most AHJs will allow reconditioning, based on the updated edition of the NEC, even where the city, county or state may not have adopted the newest version of the Code. Remember, special permission (in writing), early communication and active involvement with the AHJ is best.

stock.adobe.com / aroderick