Planned life extension not only protects critical assets but also delivers measurable financial and operational advantages.
Instead of waiting for failure or scheduling a costly replacement, preventive maintenance and system upgrades are part of a proactive approach to keep your operations in top form.
One manufacturing customer recently leveraged its spare circuit breakers to perform a major life-extension project with Circuit Breaker Sales Northeast (CBSNE). The result? They refreshed existing equipment, improved safety, and extended the operating life of their power distribution system for years to come.
A Smarter Approach to Power System Maintenance
The project involved full reconditioning and upgrade services for 13 breakers. By rotating in refurbished spares, the customer was able to maintain uptime while CBSNE reconditioned and modernized the out-of-service breakers.
This approach not only avoids downtime but also allows facilities to standardize equipment performance, simplify maintenance schedules, and plan future upgrades more strategically.
As part of this program, CBSNE upgraded the customer’s General Electric AKR low-voltage power circuit breakers with AC-PRO-II low-voltage trip unit kits from Utility Relay Company — complete with door-mounted quick-trip switches for enhanced operator safety and faster testing.
With these updates, the customer gained improved protection, modern functionality, and easier integration with existing switchgear.
Long-Term Strategy: 100 Breakers, One Goal
The initial 13-breaker project was just the beginning. Over the next 18 months, the manufacturer plans to revitalize more than 100 low-voltage circuit breakers across its facility. By spreading the upgrades over time, the customer can balance budget, labor force, and scheduling while maintaining system continuity. It’s a textbook example of how planned life extension not only protects critical assets but also delivers measurable financial and operational advantages.
Electrical equipment doesn’t last forever, but that doesn’t mean replacement is always the answer. When performed by certified technicians using proven processes, circuit breaker and switchgear life extension can restore reliability to like-new condition while adding decades of useful service life.
Key benefits include:
- Reduced downtime by rotating spares during reconditioning
- Lower cost compared to full equipment replacement
- Improved safety with modern protection and remote operation
- Sustainability through reuse and reduced material waste
- Peace of mind from testing, validation, and warranty-backed service
For most industrial and utility facilities, this approach provides the best balance of cost, safety, and reliability — and it aligns perfectly with NFPA 70B’s emphasis on proactive maintenance.
A Partner in Power System Reliability
As part of Group CBS, Circuit Breaker Sales delivers complete electric power system life cycle solutions — from remanufacturing and retrofitting to field testing and emergency repair. With access to one of the largest inventories of new, surplus, and reconditioned breakers and parts in the industry, CBS can support projects of any scale.
Whether you’re looking to extend the life of a single breaker or plan a multiyear upgrade strategy across your plant, CBS’s experts can help you do it safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
How can we help you extend the life of your electrical distribution equipment?
Contact your local service shop today to start the conversation.