How to Retrofit PESDs into Existing Control Panels

When it comes to improving electrical safety, you don’t always need to start from scratch. Many facilities assume that advanced safety technology, such as Permanent Electrical Safety Devices (PESDs), can only be installed on new equipment, but that’s far from the truth. 

At Grace Technologies, we’ve seen hundreds of customers retrofit PESDs into existing control panels with minimal downtime and maximum impact. Whether you manage an older facility or simply want to take your Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures to the next level, retrofitting is one of the fastest ways to bring modern electrical safety standards into your plant floor without disrupting production. 

What Are PESDs and Why Retrofit Them? 

PESDs are UL-listed components that mount directly onto electrical enclosures, providing a safer, more efficient way to verify voltage presence and absence before performing maintenance. 

Instead of opening a panel door and exposing workers to energized components, PESDs bring visibility and testing access to the outside of the enclosure. This single change transforms both safety and productivity by eliminating one of the riskiest steps in traditional electrical work. 

While many OEMs now integrate PESDs into new designs, thousands of maintenance teams choose to retrofit existing panels. Why? Because retrofitting offers: 

• Fast installation times (often less than 30 minutes per panel) 

• Minimal operational disruption during integration 

• Compliance with NFPA 70E and UL standards 

• Instant safety and efficiency gains across existing assets 
  

Before and After: What Retrofitting Looks Like 

Before PESDs: 

• Verifying absence of voltage requires a qualified electrician to open the enclosure, don full PPE, and use a multimeter to check each phase manually. 
  

• Even simple tasks, like confirming zero energy before servicing a motor, can require shutting down production. 

• Human error and procedural shortcuts are constant risks. 

After PESDs: 

• Voltage presence indicators give immediate visual confirmation of live energy from outside the panel. 

• High-impedance Safe-Test Points or combination ChekVolt devices allow qualified personnel to verify absence of voltage safely through the door, using a standard multimeter. 

• Non-electrical personnel can perform mechanical LOTO safely and confidently without exposure to live conductors. 

• NFPA 70E compliance becomes easier to achieve and document. 

In short, you’re replacing uncertainty and exposure with visibility, confidence, and control.

UL-Listed for Safety and Compliance 

GracePESDs are UL-listed to maintain the safety integrity of the equipment it’s installed on This means retrofitting doesn’t void the UL rating of your control panels — a key factor for many facilities seeking to improve safety without risking compliance. 

Our test point PESDs also align with NFPA 70E Article 120.6, which requires workers to verify the absence of voltage before establishing an electrically safe work condition. Retrofitting these devices helps standardize that step across your entire operation, reducing both time and risk. 

The Different Types of PESDs 

Grace offers a range of PESDs that support different functions within your electrical safety program: 

• Voltage Indicators: Provide a visual confirmation of voltage presence from outside the panel. When the LEDs are lit, voltage is present; when dark, the circuit is de-energized. These are ideal for quickly identifying live equipment and preventing accidental contact. 

• Voltage Test Points (Safe-Test Points™): Enable qualified personnel to verify the absence of voltage safely through the enclosure door using a multimeter. These are used during the “test before touch” step of LOTO and comply with NFPA 70E 120.6(7). 

• Combination Devices (ChekVolt®): Combine both functions — voltage presence indication and multimeter-compatible test points — in one UL-listed 30mm device. This makes the ChekVolt an ideal retrofit choice for compact panels, MCC buckets, and disconnects where space is limited. 

Each of these PESDs is designed to reduce exposure to live conductors and make electrical verification safer, faster, and more intuitive. 

Ease of Installation: Designed for the Retrofit Reality 

Retrofitting GracePESDs is fast, simple, and non-invasive. Each device fits into a standard 30mm knockout, the same as most pilot lights or pushbuttons, meaning no special hardware or modification is required. 

Installation typically takes 20–30 minutes per panel and can often be done during scheduled maintenance windows. Once installed, these devices immediately become part of your facility’s electrical safety workflow, requiring virtually no operator training beyond standard LOTO procedures. 

Key benefits during retrofit: 

• No need for panel redesigns or custom enclosures 

• Compatible with existing wiring and grounding configurations 

• No impact on UL ratings or NFPA 70E compliance 

• Installation can often be completed without extended downtime 

In other words, you can modernize your electrical safety program before lunch. 

Why Retrofitting Pays Off 

Facilities that retrofit PESDs often report measurable improvements within weeks: 

• Faster LOTO procedures by up to 40% 

• Reduced PPE use during testing and verification 

• Fewer incidents caused by exposure to live components 

• Higher compliance confidence during audits and training 

Retrofitting isn’t just about meeting code. It’s about giving your team safer, smarter, and more reliable tools to perform the same critical tasks — without adding risk or complexity. 

Take the Next Step Toward a Safer Facility 

Whether you manage one panel or a thousand, retrofitting GracePESDs is a simple step with a powerful payoff: safer work, faster procedures, and stronger compliance. 

Want to learn more about how PESDs can improve safety and efficiency in your facility? Download the GracePESD eBook to see product comparisions, wiring examples, and real-world retrofit success stories.