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Glossary

Long-lead equipment

Definition

Long-lead equipment is equipment that takes long enough to manufacture and deliver that it can delay a project if it isn’t ordered early — such as switchgear, transformers and generators.

What it means

Some electrical equipment is built to order, so it can’t simply be pulled from a distributor’s shelf. Switchgear, switchboards, transformers, generators, automatic transfer switches, UPS systems and custom panelboards often fall into this group, along with some lighting control systems and specialty fixtures.

Lead times vary by product, manufacturer and market conditions, and they change over time. Because this equipment usually can’t be ordered until its submittal is approved, managing it means identifying it early, submitting it first and tracking promised ship dates closely.

An example: on a new building, the main switchboard is needed on site before the rest of the electrical work can be energized. The contractor identifies it as long-lead at the bid stage, submits it first after award, releases the order as soon as it’s approved, and checks the promised ship date with the distributor regularly.

Why it matters

  • Schedules. A late piece of long-lead equipment can hold up the whole project.
  • Planning. Working backwards from the date it’s needed on site sets the deadlines for submittals and orders.