Finding the right part to keep your circuit breakers and switchgear up and running should be as easy as punching the part number into Google or on Amazon, then having a list of suppliers populate, right? Well, if you have the part number, if it’s even still available from the manufacturer and if it is sold individually and not part of a larger assembly that gives you a lot of parts that you don’t need nor want.  Well, in that ideal world, yes, that is all it can take. Of course, then you will have to deal with lead time, which can be weeks or months for a part that is still in production. What if it’s no longer in production or you cannot find the part number? That is what NPE is here for.

The old saying, “time is money and money is time” still holds true. Chances are good that if you need it, your breaker and possibly key elements of production are down. You need the right part, you need it right now, and most likely, NPE has it in stock and it can be shipped right away, without the hassle and also without all the parts in an assembly that you do not need nor want to pay for.  So, what should you do? Contact us.

This is what we need:

• Breaker Model Number
• Brief Description (what it is or what it does)
• Photos
• Part Numbers (they are helpful, if available, but we’ve been doing this so long we can work around that little detail)

How to get it to us:

Email:  info@npeinc.com - simple and easy to remember. 

Mobile website:  m.npeinc.com - this mobile site will walk you through a series of questions to help identify the parts and give you an opportunity to submit photos as well, or even faster, use our Quick Note Ap.

Call us: 1-800-647-0815. We’ll be happy to talk you through your problem and customize a cost-effective solution for you.

That is what we are here for.

We have tens of thousands of parts on hand along with our trained, experienced personnel that can get them to you when you need them.

Common  needed parts are also available online at our aftermarket parts store. Many of them have new and improved designs to ensure that whatever shortcoming the OEM part had, was corrected. You may never have to replace that part again.  Visit this store at https://www.npeinc.com/aftermarket-parts, register and enter the promotional code: GOLD20 at checkout to get 20% off your order.

Try NPE and find out why our motto is “The right part, at the right price, right now!”

Are you rebuilding your equipment? Let NPE supply you with new replacement labels to bring them back to “like new” condition. NPE replaces worn labels with new labels when doing our “Class One” reconditioning procedure.

We have a database full of common labels that are available with same day shipping. If we do not have the particular label you need, no problem, in most cases we can design your label from scratch. Just provide us with a picture and dimensions.

It is important to communicate with safety labels the electrical hazards like voltage and shock hazards. We have some of these common warning/danger labels and we can also customize these labels for your specific needs.

We offer our labels on both silver and white adhesive paper which are then laminated for extra durability. No minimum quantity required. Contact us online, give us a call or send us an email for a quote!

General Electric produced a very popular line of medium voltage (2.3kv-15kv class) circuit breakers over a 30-year timespan with literally tens of thousands of units in service across the U.S., Canada, and other areas. This product line, known as the Magne-Blast or AM breaker, has been upgraded over the years with improvements and life extensions to add even more value to the customer.

One of the maintenance items that needs to be addressed periodically is what the industry calls the “Raise Lower Mechanism.” This is a mechanism that lifts the breaker from ground level and assures proper alignment and connection to the primary disconnects on both the line and load side.

Maintaining Raise Lower Mechanisms for Your Circuit Breakers

There are several versions of this mechanism that need to be identified properly when service is needed. First, we will address the two most common mechanisms, the “Cast” and “Fabricated” or “Fab’d” mechanisms. GE classifies these mechanisms into two groups depending on the width of the switchgear cabinets they are in because they also include the shutter and connecting chain. GE identifies the Cast Mechanisms as either M26H or M36H because the cabinets they go in are either 26” or 36” wide. The fabricated design is simply designated as M26 and M36.

There is a well-known table in a GE publication that details the supposed application of these devices with particular breaker models and frame sizes. However, we have found both discrepancies in actual field applications as well as contradictions within the table itself. See the Illustration 1 Cast vs Fab mechs pdf for reference.

The easiest way to identify which mechanism you may have (they are not interchangeable), is by looking at the housing at the top of the mechanism that contains the gears. The cast style is obviously heavier duty, thicker, and has pit marks from the sand that was used to sand cast the original parts. The fabricated style is built with plate steel that is lighter duty and welded together.
See Illustrations 2 and 3 for reference.

NPE regularly stocks both of these mechanisms. They are completely rebuilt and ready to install for those “unscheduled outages” and we can even take your damaged or worn out mechanism in for a core rebate. For customers that want to rebuild the mechanisms themselves, we offer both cast bushing kits and fabricated bushing kits and years of experience and expertise to help you along the way.

Raise Lower Mechanism Exceptions

While these mechanisms comprise 90% of what is found in the market, there are some exceptions that should be noted.
The first mechanism is designated in the first illustration with the “HH” suffix. These mechanisms will be found in the largest of the Magne-Blast product line, particularly in the 1000 MVA breakers. See 7A in Illustration 1 for reference. They are the heaviest duty mechanisms and have two vertical screws to lift these frames into place.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the smallest Magne-Blasts made are the 50 and 75 MVA class and are built for 18”-wide switchgear. These cells utilize a single lifting screw mechanism mounted on only the right side of the cell.

The last group of mechanisms are the oldest versions made for the AM 5 and AM 15 versions of the Magne-Blast line that utilize a double secondary coupler. While not many of these breakers are left in service, there are designs for updated/retrofitted breakers that still use the old switchgear. This last set will have the double vertical screw on both sides, similar to the “HH” version, except that these are much lighter duty. When replacing these, you will need to know if the motor that operates the lift is mounted in the front of the cell or all the way in the rear.

Raise Lower Mechanism Aftermarket Parts to Help Keep Switchgear Going

In addition to Raise Lower Mechanisms, NPE manufactures and stocks many of the common parts that you will need to keep your switchgear running. Raise lower motors, motor clutch parts, and bearing kits are all the things you will need to properly operate and maintain your equipment. You can find these parts in our Aftermarket Parts Store on our website.

• AM 4.16 -350 3000 Amp Shutter (Cell)
• AM Motor Coupler
• AM Raise Lower Mech Bearing and Bushings Kit (Cast)
• AM Raise Lower Mech Bearing and Bushings Kit (Fabricated)
• AM Raise Lower Motor (120 AC/125 DC), with Switch
• AM Raise Lower Motor (120 AC/125 DC), without Switch
• AM Raise Lower Motor (220 AC/250 DC), without Switch
• AM Raise Lower Motor (220 AC/250 DC), with Switch
• AM Raise Lower Motor Base Plate

This may seem complicated, but at NPE we face these questions every day. Our knowledgeable staff has the expertise to walk you through the various steps to identify what you have. Contact us online, give us a call, or send us an email with pictures of the nameplate if available and we will help you get the right parts, at the right price, right now!

NPE specializes in having what you need when you need it.

Aftermarket parts are designed with modern materials and design enhancements: 

      Stronger materials

      Enhanced designs

      In stock and ready to ship

Extend the Life of Your Equipment with Replacement Aftermarket Parts

NPE’s aftermarket parts are available with improved designs and modern materials to help reduce failure rates and avoid downtime. Our experienced staff continuously works to identify solutions for hard-to-find and high-failure parts.

We use modern materials with an emphasis on strength and quality. Sometimes the changes can be as simple as a fiber-reinforced material or by filling voids to increase the strength of the part. Other times it could be a change in the concept of how the part performs. Why would you want to replace one poorly-designed part with another? NPE’s line of parts are made to fix the problem, not just put a band-aid on it.

In addition to our long and growing list of replacement parts for circuit breakers, we also stock an extensive and growing list of hardware and tools to help you safely move, lift, and maintain your circuit breakers and switchgear. Racking handles, extension rails, slow close, and spring removal tools are only a small sample of what we offer

Most often we find that our customers appreciate the prompt availability of our parts and our same day or next day shipping. All of our parts, especially the ones that have been out of manufacturing production for decades are in stock and ready to ship for delivery in hours or days, while OEM’s take weeks to ship even if they are in stock. Our products are available through your normal purchasing channels and in our online Aftermarket Parts Store. 

The Right Circuit Breaker Replacement Parts

As difficult as it is to correctly specify replacement circuit breakers, finding replacement parts can be much more challenging. Not only do you need to communicate all the correct breaker information, you also need all the information regarding the vintage changes of the internal parts as well. 

We specialize in fast, easy solutions for finding these parts. With a few questions and possibly a photo or two, our sales team will get you the right part at the right price and, if needed, right now!

Just email us at info@npeinc.com or use our mobile ap NPE on the Go!

Please take a moment to browse our available aftermarket parts store. If you don’t see what you need just let us know. If we don’t have an improved design or a used part, we would be happy to quote a new custom design just for you. In any case, you can be assured that we will do our best to find the best solution to solve your problem and get the power back on as fast as possible.

Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about aftermarket parts.