Power switchgear retrofitting: what we can learn from our American cousins

For more than 40 years, retrofitting of medium and low voltage circuit breakers and switchgear has been a popular option within the Americas for extending the useful lifespan of power electrical equipment. Life extension by means of retrofitting equipment can save users time, money, and offers substantial savings in the carbon footprint over replacement of aged assets. Over the past decades, the IEEE has developed a dedicated normative standard, IEEE Std C37.59, which covers many forms of power switchgear conversion. The closest comparable standard in IEC is IEC TR 62271-307 which provides guidance on the extension of validity of type tests. This paper explores the successes and failures that comprise the retrofitting experience within the ANSI domain and illustrate the best practices to ensure the safety and quality of the retrofit process.