Low-voltage electrical reconditioning standards introduced
Founded in 1997, PEARL is an electrical apparatus recycling trade association that creates, collects, and disseminates information, policies, procedures, and standards to ensure the proper recycling and reuse of electrical power equipment.
PEARL reconditioned electrical goods are held to a higher testing standard than new electrical apparatus because each device is tested individually rather than batch tested. PEARL reconditioned apparatus also spare the planet from thousands of tons of unnecessary waste each year, and cut the U.S.Â’ energy consumption compared to manufacturing new product.
PEARLÂ’s Low-Voltage Apparatus recycling standards are available for free to the public from the PEARL website (www.pearl1.org).
PEARLÂ’s Low-Voltage Apparatus recycling standards cover:
• Low-Voltage Disconnect Switches (1100 PEARL Standard Series)
• Low-Voltage Circuit Breakers (1200 PEARL Standard Series)
• Low-Voltage Panelboards, Switchboards & Switchgear (1300 PEARL Standard Series)
• Low-Voltage Transformers (1400 PEARL Standard Series)
• Low-Voltage Motor Control Center Buckets & Assemblies (1500 PEARL Standard Series)
• Low-Voltage Motor Control Devices (1600 PEARL Standard Series)
• Low-Voltage Wire & Cable (4100 PEARL Standard Series)
• Low-Voltage Bus Duct (4300 PEARL Standard Series)
PEARLÂ’s electrical apparatus recycling standards fall into two categories:
• Reconditioning, which includes both Test & Inspection, and Reconditioning procedures; and
• Test & Inspect Standards, which do not include reconditioning procedures and documentation.
Only electrical apparatus that comply with these standards and come from companies that meet PEARLÂ’s business, ethics, and integrity requirements qualify to carry the associated PEARL Quality Seal (blue for Reconditioned devices, green for Test & Inspect).
Today, more than 70 dealers of new, reconditioned, and surplus electrical devices are members of the PEARL trade association.
Related News

Groups clash over NH hydropower project
BANGOR, MAINE - Groups supporting and opposing the Northern Pass hydropower project in New Hampshire filed statements Friday in advance of a state committee’s meeting next week on whether it should rehear the project.
The Site Evaluation Committee rejected Eversource’s project last month over concerns about potential negative impacts. It is scheduled to deliberate Monday on Eversource’s request for a rehearing.
The $1.6 billion project would deliver hydropower from Canada to customers in southern New England through a 192-mile transmission line in New Hampshire.
If the Northern Pass project fails to ultimately win New Hampshire approval, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources has…