Switchgear Selling Checklist
Pre-sale checklist for switchgear: photos to take, nameplate data, breaker counts, bus rating, condition notes, and access details that speed up offers.
Switchgear offers move at the speed of information. Lineups documented with the checklist below get firm offers in days; mystery gear gets conservative brackets and follow-up questions. Fifteen minutes with a phone camera is the highest-paid quarter hour in the surplus business.
This checklist covers exactly what we — and any legitimate buyer — need to price low or medium voltage switchgear accurately the first time.
The Switchgear Documentation Checklist
| Lineup nameplate | Voltage, bus amps, BIL, manufacturer, shop order number |
|---|---|
| Front elevation photo | Full lineup, doors closed — shows section count |
| Open-door photos | Each breaker cell and its breaker nameplate |
| Breaker inventory | Count, model, amps, trip units per breaker |
| Bus & interior | One rear/bus compartment photo if accessible |
| Relays & metering | Door-mounted relay models (value adders) |
| One-line diagram | Ideal but optional — answers every layout question |
| Access notes | Floor level, door widths, dock/crane availability |
Why breaker detail matters most
In most lineups the breakers carry 50-70% of total value. Six VCP-W 1200A vacuum breakers can be worth more than the structure holding them. Photograph every breaker nameplate — model, continuous amps, interrupting rating, control voltage — and your offer reflects each one individually instead of a blended guess.
Condition honesty pays
Water staining, rodent evidence, missing cell parts, and arc damage all show up at pickup anyway. Disclose them in the photo set and the offer holds; surprise them at loading and everything reprices under pressure. Straight documentation protects your number.
Ready to sell? Get your offer today.
Send photos and nameplate details — we respond with a firm offer, typically within 24 hours. Freight and rigging arranged nationwide, payment before pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I remove breakers before selling switchgear?
- No — leave them racked in their cells. Matched lineups sell for more, and separate handling risks damage that costs more than it saves.
- What if the gear is still energized?
- Document what's visible safely and note the de-energization date. We quote subject to standard inspection and plan removal after your electrician isolates.
- Do you want maintenance records?
- Yes — breaker test reports and relay calibration records move offers up measurably. Even old records help.
Authoritative References
- OSHA — Electrical safety standards (29 CFR 1910 Subpart S) — the workplace electrical safety rules that govern safe documentation and de-energization before gear is photographed or removed.
- NFPA 70E — Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace — arc-flash and lockout practices your electrician follows when isolating a lineup for sale.
- NEMA — Switchgear standards — the product standards (with IEEE C37) that define the voltage, bus, and BIL ratings on your lineup nameplate.