A Review of Refurbished Parts in DCS and PLC Systems for Plant Maintenance

The Common Belief About Refurbished Parts

ABB Bailey Infi90

In plant maintenance, the mere mention of using refurbished parts in DCS or PLC systems often elicits skepticism. Many engineers believe that these components have compromised reliability and lower quality, and so many shy away from their use in key systems, which must have high reliability.

Refurbished Parts are Mostly Reliable

Refurbishment of electronics

At first glance, the hesitation towards refurbished parts is understandable. Afterall, these parts have been in operation before. However, it's crucial to recognize that the refurbishing process is a meticulous procedure that brings a worn-out part back to almost its original operating standards. This process involves a thorough inspection, repair, and testing, ensuring that the refurbished part is not only reliable but also performs at a level comparable to a new counterpart. Of course, this depends on the credibility of the refurbishment team - A trusted, competent team can produce quality refurbished parts, but an inexperienced team will likely produce subpar parts.

Cost Savings

Cost reduction icon

There are numerous reasons why a niche group of engineers prefer refurbished parts. One of the most significant advantages of using refurbished parts is the cost savings. Refurbished parts are typically much more affordable than brand new ones. This can be a game-changer for engineers operating on tight budgets or looking to reduce their expenses, without compromising on their DCS or PLC system reliability.

Corporate Sustainability

Large pile of e-waste

Aside from costs, some engineers use refurbished parts in their DCS and PLC systems to contribute to a more sustainable future. Refurbishing and reusing parts reduces the demand for new manufacturing, which in turn reduces the consumption of resources and energy. Furthermore, old parts are being refurbished instead of being thrown away, which also reduces e-waste known to be highly toxic and damaging to the environment.

In fact, using refurbished parts instead of new ones can slash greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%.

Should We Use Refurbished Parts?

Ultimately, refurbished parts are mostly as reliable as new parts while at the same time bring about cost savings and environmental sustainability, so more engineers should definitely consider using them for plant maintenance.

What do you think about refurbished parts? Let me know your thoughts in this poll.

We should use refurbished parts for maintenance

• Yes
• No
• Maybe

How Can I Find Reliable Refurbished Parts?

Keen to explore sourcing refurbished parts but don't know where to start? Reach out to us as we have more than a decade of experience in supplying reliable refurbished parts to plant maintenance teams across multiple industries. Alternatively, you can research online for refurbished parts suppliers, but be mindful to ascertain the credibility of any new supplier to ensure that the refurbished parts you receive will be in good condition.