Electrical code revisions for product condition made

Revisions made to the 2017 edition of the National Electrical Code, 2017 Edition, recommended by the Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League (PEARL), are intended to underscore the safety and reliability of reconditioned electrical equipment.

By Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League (PEARL) March 23, 2017

Two code revisions recommended by the Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League (PEARL) were adopted for inclusion into the latest version of the National Electrical Code, 2017 Edition (NEC). These revisions represent the first time since its inception in 1897 that the NEC makes reference to product condition, specifically allowing for reconditioned, remanufactured, and refurbished electrical product.

The NEC 2017 Edition includes proposed changes to NEC rules 110.3 and 110.21. NEC 110.3 – Examination, Identification, and Use of Equipment – ensures that reconditioned equipment is acknowledged and considered for use in installations. The revision to NEC 110.21 – Equipment Markings-Reconditioned Equipment –requires reconditioned equipment to be marked with the name, trademark, or other descriptive marking that identifies the organization responsible for reconditioning the electrical equipment. The date of reconditioning is also required to be marked on the equipment.

"As equipment ages in the U.S., it can be challenging to acquire replacement parts from manufacturers, especially if the equipment has been in place for so long that the replacement parts are no longer made," said David Rosenfield, president of PEARL. "Acknowledgment of reconditioned electrical equipment in the NEC is a ‘seal of approval’ providing a level of assurance that reconditioned equipment is a valuable and reliable component of the electrical system, and its usage is indispensable for maintaining and strengthening our country’s infrastructure."

Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League (PEARL)

PEARL – Professional Electrical Apparatus Reconditioning League 

– Edited from a PEARL press release by CFE Media. See more Control Engineering energy and power stories.