By Don West
Director of Business Development
Southland Electrical Supply, an IPS Company
These peer-reviewed standards define what service providers recondition and how, where, and why. They also define verification of the equipment’s state before it leaves the service facility.
The PEARL technician certification standard drives professional development
PEARL offers three levels of technician certification. Standardized training creates opportunities for career advancement and fuels business growth.
Standardized training and certification also drive interoperability between locations, allowing companies with similar interests to join forces. This is how companies scale to handle larger projects and create more value. Using the same playbook, certified technicians from different companies make a coordinated response to natural disasters more effective.
PEARL inspect and test standards build buyer confidence
PEARL member companies add the green PEARL Inspected & Tested Seal to electrical equipment that meets its inspect and test standard. The PEARL seal builds trust in high-quality reconditioned equipment, so you can buy pre-owned equipment with the same confidence as buying OEM.
The PEARL standard refers to the NETA standard for electrical testing, for as found and as left tests. Together, they define the methodology required to evaluate systems and equipment correctly.
These are strong standards supported by trained, certified technicians. As a result, engineers now include reconditioned equipment in their specs as long as it meets technical requirements. Construction managers, schedulers, and expediters have a critical path. A simple 1200-amp power distribution panel on back order can delay a project. With all OEMs behind on production, more of their customers are prepared to consider reconditioned equipment.
PEARL works for real-world integration
In the real world, customers run a mix of old and new equipment. One facility can use equipment of different vintages from multiple manufacturers. PEARL standards tie testing and service together to make assorted electrical equipment work seamlessly.
PEARL members also collaborate with major OEMs to support obsolete equipment. Their expertise maintains the safety and reliability of electrical infrastructure, even with comparatively ancient switchgear connected to new transformers, busways, and custom-built panels.
PEARL supports sustainability and jobs
Going green will only become more important to your customers (and theirs). Reconditioning and remanufacturing electrical equipment keeps it out of landfills and supports the circular economy.
Reconditioning conserves natural resources and creates thousands of jobs. Today, many customers have a choice between downtime and electrical equipment reconditioned to be functionally better than new. More and more of them make the sensible choice — because they trust PEARL standards.
If you’re running industrial or commercial operations and haven’t considered properly reconditioned electrical equipment, I recommend visiting https://pearl1.org/. Or contact me or my colleagues at IPS.
We’re fully committed to the benefits of reconditioned electrical equipment, and we’ll be pleased to share them with you.
