II. Components
Electrical installations usually have several loads, often on a single circuit. Panelboards, switchboards, switchgear and motor control centers are methods of consolidating control of those circuits into a common enclosure on common bus. In these applications, typical components include:

III. Testing and Inspection
PEARL Standards begin with the definition of the term “Reconditioning” as “the process of returning electrical equipment to safe and reliable operating condition based upon the design of the original manufacturer at the time of manufacturing.”

This is followed by identification of the required information tables to be found in Section 6000 of the standards. Each individual standard within this section refers to its own set of reference tables as well as all of the other standards necessary to complete the process of reconditioning a system covered by this specific standard. In Section 1300, the technician will also be referred to:

Next the standards list test equipment that will be required to complete the procedure, including:

One of the following pieces of test equipment may be required to perform the testing requirements of this reconditioning standard:

One of the following pieces of test equipment may be required to perform the testing requirements of this reconditioning standard:

Megohmeters/Hipot sets are all dedicated to the testing of insulation integrity. Digital Low Resistance Ohmmeters (DLRO), and DC Current Source with mVmeter are instruments for determining the level of resistance in a circuit. This could be a wired circuit or a bussed circuit. Buss joints and wire or cable connecting points are very sensitive to proper pressure or torque. Improper tightness can result in heat build up that can translate into loosening or degrading of that connection over time. The DLRO is also the main test used to determine the protective value of fuses.

IV. Reconditioning
The recondition evaluation section for low voltage panelboards, switchboards & switchgear standards follow a step-by-step inspection of the device components in logical order to assure all areas are subject to visual observation.

The next section of the low voltage panelboards, switchboards & switchgear takes a technician through the “as found” testing steps which includes but is not limited to insulation resistance, contact resistance, control device operations. The standard instructs the technician to evaluate the overall condition of the various means of isolating current carrying from non-current carrying areas of the system; proper level of conductivity through both main power and control power current carrying paths; proper operation of control devices and smoothness of operation of mechanical elements such as pivots, bearings, levers, springs; and debris, corrosion or indications of deterioration. Once all tests and inspections are preformed, the technician records the results on the standard’s Recondition Evaluation form.

The visual inspection along with the as-found testing helps determine the actual recondition procedure. The reconditioning procedure specifies disassembly and cleaning of all parts and subassemblies, replacement of parts where necessary, tightening or adjusting where necessary. Certain processes that that are not shown in the standard may become necessary based on as found results and will be addressed in future updates to the standards. These are more repair procedures than maintenance but will be addressed as our standards continue to grow in scope.

Assembly of the reconditioned components and subassemblies is followed by final inspection and testing. As with all testing, inspection, and reconditioning operations, final inspection and test results are recorded onto the Evaluation and Test forms included with the standard. If a PEARL certified technician follows the reconditioning standard, the low voltage panelboards, switchboards & switchgear assembly is eligible for a Blue PEARL Reconditioned Quality Seal.

Link to the full Standard Number 1310
    Low Voltage Circuit Breaker Panelboards
Link to the full Standard Number 1310
    Low Voltage Switchboards and Switchgear
Link to the full Standard Number 1330
    Low Voltage Motor Control Centers

Link to view and/or download PEARL's 137 reconditioning standards for electrical equipment.