Equipment Conditions GridGear Uses for Transformers and Switchgear

These are the nine equipment conditions GridGear uses with sellers and buyers when sourcing transformers and medium-voltage switchgear, so everyone has a clear, shared understanding of what a listing means. A condition describes the state a unit is in, from Factory New and surplus New / Unused, through restored units, to Used, As-Is, and Parts / Salvage.

GridGear uses these nine conditions on its listings, the first eight on its quote forms, and anchors them to industry references where they exist.

Those references are ANSI/RIC001 for remanufacturing, IEEE C57.12.90 and C57.12.91 for transformer testing, the U.S. Department of Energy definition of "rebuilt," and the ANSI/PEARL Reconditioning Standard and NEC Article 100 for "reconditioned." The conditions run in a general order of typical price and quality, highest to lowest. Each one below lists the documentation GridGear typically shares or can request. Whether a specific unit is technically acceptable for a project is a decision for the buyer's engineer or utility.

The nine conditions at a glance

The first eight are also the condition options on GridGear's transformer and switchgear quote forms.

What each condition means

Factory New

A Factory New unit is newly manufactured, sold through the manufacturer or its distribution channel, and has never been installed. Unused equipment sold outside the manufacturer's channel is classed as New / Unused, even when it is still in its original packaging.

Typical documentation: the nameplate with its build date, plus manufacturer documentation such as factory test reports, drawings, and warranty terms where they apply.

New / Unused

A New / Unused unit has never been installed or energized, but is sold outside its original project or purchase. This is the condition the market usually calls surplus. Project delays, redesigns, cancellations, over-orders, and retired spares can all put this equipment on the market. "New" here refers to use, not age, so build date and storage history differ from unit to unit.

Typical documentation: a nameplate photo with the build date, storage information (indoor or outdoor, covered or crated, approximate duration) where known, current photos, and the original accessories, drawings, and factory test reports when they came with the unit. For liquid-filled transformers, any fluid test results since storage. For switchgear, a list of the sections, breakers, and accessories (including racking tools) included.

Remanufactured / Reman

A Remanufactured / Reman unit has been returned to like-new quality and performance. GridGear anchors this condition to the ANSI/RIC001 remanufacturing standard, which calls for a controlled, documented process, and to testing under the same IEEE standards used for new equipment: IEEE C57.12.90 for liquid-filled transformers and IEEE C57.12.91 for dry-type. For transformers, remanufacturing often includes new windings and insulation.

Typical documentation: the test report, the standards the process and testing followed, a record of the components replaced, the shop that performed the remanufacturing, and warranty terms where they apply. If ratings changed, photos of both the original and the current nameplate.

Rebuilt / Rewound

A Rebuilt / Rewound unit has had one or more windings or major assemblies replaced, in line with the U.S. Department of Energy's definition of "rebuilt" (one or more windings replaced). It differs from Remanufactured / Reman in that the unit is not represented as returned to like-new quality through a full remanufacturing program.

Typical documentation: a record of the windings or assemblies replaced, who replaced them and when, and the test reports from after the rebuild. If nameplate ratings changed, photos of both the original and the current nameplate.

Reconditioned / Refurbished

GridGear treats the two words as one condition. A Reconditioned / Refurbished unit has been restored to safe operating condition following the manufacturer's instructions or recognized industry standards, then tested. GridGear anchors this condition to the ANSI/PEARL Reconditioning Standard and the definition of "reconditioned" in NEC Article 100. A reconditioned transformer usually keeps its original windings.

Industry references differ on transformers. NEMA CS 70011-2026 states that transformers are not suitable for reconditioning, a position that differs from the PEARL standard and common shop practice. GridGear uses the PEARL and NEC Article 100 definitions for this condition, and the buyer's engineer or utility decides whether a reconditioned transformer fits the project.

Typical documentation: a written description of the reconditioning and the standard it followed, who performed it and when, the test reports from after reconditioning, and a parts list.

Used

A Used unit has been previously installed or energized, with no restoration claimed. Any testing is documented separately, and the tests performed vary from unit to unit.

Typical documentation: test reports with dates and who performed them, where testing has been done, plus current photos, the nameplate, the reason for removal, and service history where available.

As-Is

An As-Is unit is sold in its current condition with no condition claimed. Inspection and testing are the buyer's responsibility.

Typical documentation: current photos, the nameplate, and removal history where known. For older liquid-filled transformers, PCB status documentation where available. Buyers can ask about an inspection or third-party testing before purchase.

Parts / Salvage

A Parts / Salvage unit is not a complete, service-ready unit. It is sold for its components or material.

Typical documentation: a list of what is included and what is missing, and current photos. Any breaker or component intended for reuse needs its family and model matched to the existing equipment.

Unknown

Unknown means there is not enough information yet to assign a condition. GridGear uses Unknown rather than assign a condition the information does not support.

Typical documentation: whatever is available, such as photos, the nameplate, and known history. Inspection or third-party testing before purchase can fill in the rest.

"Any if technically acceptable"

This is a buyer stance, not one of the nine conditions. It asks GridGear to search across every condition and share any options it finds, with the condition and documentation available for each. The buyer's engineer or utility then decides which options are technically acceptable.

Transformer and switchgear differences

For transformers, the nameplate is the reference for ratings. Remanufactured / Reman and Rebuilt / Rewound units can have changed ratings in some cases, which is why photos of both the original and the current nameplate are part of the documentation for those conditions. Fluid type, fluid test history, and PCB documentation matter for liquid-filled units. See How to Read a Transformer Nameplate for Sourcing or Replacement.

For medium-voltage switchgear, the condition applies to the whole lineup: every section, breaker, and accessory. For replacement breakers, including reconditioned legacy breakers, the breaker family and model need to match the existing cubicle; electrical ratings alone do not establish fit. See What Information Do I Need to Source Medium-Voltage Switchgear?.

How to tell GridGear what condition you can accept

GridGear's transformer and switchgear quote forms ask which conditions are acceptable, using the conditions in this guide. You can select more than one:

• Factory New
• New / Unused
• Remanufactured / Reman
• Rebuilt / Rewound
• Reconditioned / Refurbished
• Used
• As-Is
• Parts / Salvage
• Any if technically acceptable
• Not sure

Selecting more than one condition widens the search. GridGear searches across independent equipment suppliers and owners rather than limiting the buyer to one condition, which can surface options when factory lead times do not fit the schedule. It does not guarantee a match, and secondary-market equipment is not always cheaper or faster.

For what else to include in a request, see What Information Do I Need to Source a Transformer?.

Need help sourcing across conditions?

Send the ratings you know, a nameplate photo or drawing, your needed-by date, and the conditions you can accept. GridGear helps project teams source transformers and switchgear across the conditions listed on its quote forms.

Request a Transformer Quote or Request a Switchgear Quote

Selling surplus or used equipment? Describing it with these conditions and sharing the documentation listed for each gives buyers a clear picture from the start. Sell equipment with GridGear.

Technical References

This resource is GridGear-authored educational content. It sets out the condition definitions GridGear uses on its listings and quote forms, anchored to industry references: ANSI/RIC001 for remanufacturing, IEEE C57.12.90 and C57.12.91 for transformer testing, the U.S. Department of Energy definition of "rebuilt," and the ANSI/PEARL Reconditioning Standard and NEC Article 100 for "reconditioned." NEMA CS 70011-2026 takes a different position on transformer reconditioning, noted under Reconditioned / Refurbished above. A condition describes the state of a unit based on the information and documentation available. Formal engineering, installation, compatibility, and procurement decisions should use the applicable project specifications, test reports, manufacturer data, and qualified technical review.