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Why is Technician Certification Important in Our Industry?
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Doug Powell, PEARL President
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Over the past 80 years, electrical switchgear has evolved and matured into a highly mechanically sophisticated and intelligent acting device. Since the 1930's we have watched circuit breakers go from bolted devices to draw-out, from manual to automatic, from solenoid operated to stored-energy, from air to vacuum, from electromechanical trips to solid-state tripping devices and now, having incorporated the microprocessor, into devices that have the ability to think and communicate with one another. The advancement of circuit breaker designs and the use of microprocessor technology mean that those companies and technicians responsible for providing service and repairs to this equipment have a big challenge before them to stay current and up to date on the various manufacturer's products and equipment types in the market.
 For years, PEARL and its members have been leading the industry by establishing standards designed to provide a consistent process that can be taught and followed by companies and technicians in this rapidly changing industry. These standards have been developed and refined by dozens of subject matter experts over numerous revision cycles throughout both the service and manufacturing industry. In 2017, if all goes as scheduled, PEARL expects to publish the first ANSI-accredited standard for the reconditioning of electrical equipment.
Not only is this a really big deal for PEARL and its members, but it represents a big opportunity for technicians who have made this industry their career. Industry standards are wonderful, but we must have qualified and skilled technicians who have the capabilities to interpret and perform the tasks that are specified in the standard. This is why PEARL has invested so much into the development of technician certification over the past 5 years. We are seeing more customers requiring increased vetting of their outside contractors and service providers. By having accredited industry standards and certified technicians, verified by a third party organization, PEARL members can assure their customers that their organization and technicians have the competency and desire to maintain quality within their organization.
Please make plans now to join us on April 6-9, 2017 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach California for the 20th Annual PEARL Electrical Safety, Reliability and Sustainability Conference & Exhibition. Learn firsthand from industry experts and get your career moving in the right direction by becoming a PEARL certified technician.
Wishing you the best,
a
Doug Powell, PEARL President
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CSA Group Upgrading Z463 from a Guideline to a Standard
The CSA Z463 committee is set to meet in Calgary near the end of October. With the 2nd edition, CSA Z463 will be upgraded from a guideline to a standard. As this will be the first of three meetings during the development stage of Z463-2018 Edition, CSA will be deciding what sections will contain mandatory language. General requirements for electrical system maintenance will be added. Guidance on the maintenance of specific types of equipment will remain as non-mandatory recommended practice.
The first Technical Committee meeting to begin development of Z463 will be held in Calgary, AB in October. It is anticipated that the draft Standard will be ready for public review in November, 2017, with the hopes to have the Standard published in May, 2018.
PEARL will be represented on the Technical Committee to help develop this Standard. To learn more about Z463, click here to review the White Paper.
Need to Know: Changes to the NEC
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued the 2017 National Electrical Code® (NEC®) last month, and it took effect Aug. 24. "Nice," you say, "but that is a construction standard and it doesn't affect our plant operations and maintenance." Not true! The purpose of the NEC is not to serve as a design or construction manual. The purpose of the NEC is "the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity." That means that nobody gets electrocuted and buildings do not burn down because of an electrical fire. READ MORE
Federal Funds Bringing Change to Remanufacturing
For the first time in history, the federal government has committed funding to advancing remanufacturing in the United States. And we intend to make sure it impacts the right places Introducing the REMADE Institute. This is a new initiative under development aimed at benefiting small- and medium-size businesses involved in remanufacturing in the U.S. by investing in new technologies to help overcome common challenges. LEARN MORE
What a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Does and What it Does Not Do
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) monitors the current balance between the ungrounded "hot" conductor and the grounded conductor. As soon as the current flowing through the "hot" conductor is in the range of 4 to 6 milli-amperes more than the current flowing in the "return" grounded conductor, the GFCI senses this unbalance and trips (opens) the circuit off. READ MORE
WARNING: California Adopts New Proposition 65 "How to Warn" Rules
Earlier this month, the State of California published the first major changes to the Proposition 65 regulations in more than a decade. The sweeping changes rewrite the "safe harbor" warning regulations and, in doing so, create a new set of challenges for businesses offering products or operating facilities in California. READ MORE
7 Installation Best Practices to Assure a Reliable Bolted Joint
Bolted joints are many times ignored when it comes to ensuring long-term reliability of equipment. With most fastened joints, maintenance practices can be sloppy when the original design is good with little impact to overall equipment reliability. This can lead to complacency when executing details of joint assembly and maintenance. READ MORE
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The PEARL$AFE Leadership Corner is focused on professional and leadership development and ways to increase your business's internal effectiveness. Contributions come from Leanne Edwards, president of Leadership Management International.
The Bottom Line
FACE IT, nobody owes you a living.
What you achieve, or fail to achieve in your lifetime
is directly related to what you do or fail to do.
No one chooses his parent or childhood,
But you can choose your own direction.
Everyone has problems and obstacles to overcome,
But that too is relative to each individual.
NOTHING IS CARVED IN STONE!
You can change anything in your life
if you want to badly enough.
Excuses are for losers!
Those who take responsibility for their actions
are the real winners in life.
Winners meet life challenges head on
knowing there aren't guarantees, and give it all they've got.
And never think it's too late or too early to begin.
Time plays no favorites
And will pass whether you act or not
Take control of your LIFE.
Dare to Dream and take risks.......
Compete!
If you aren't willing to work for your goals, DON'T expect others to.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!"
Your quote for the day:
"To be or not to be, that is your decision." --- Pat Paradowski
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PEARL Board Tours Colorado Member WideSpread Electrical Sales
During the PEARL in-person board meeting earlier this month, the board of
 directors had the opportunity to stop and visit with PEARL member WideSpread Electrical Sales at their facility in Wheat Ridge, CO. President Scott Vaughn was onsite to help lead the tour. Scott, who also owns Brah Electric, was able to show the board their unique facility, which includes a skate park, and how Brah Electric is creating their own line of bus plugs. A big thank you goes to WideSpread for opening their doors and allowing the PEARL board to visit with them!
Welcome New Associate Member, Electric Power Systems International, Kansas City!
October PEARL Meeting Cancelled The October PEARL Board of Directors meeting has been cancelled due to scheduling conflicts. The board will resume its meetings on November 1.
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Save the Date for the 2017 Annual Conference
Save the date for April 6-9, 2017, as PEARL heads to Newport Beach, California! This year's conference will have a sub-theme focused around disaster recovery. Sponsorship and exhibit details, hotel information, and schedule of events are coming soon!
See you in California! |
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Sept 2016, Vol. 87
IN THIS ISSUE
Leadership Corner
PEARL News |
Congratulations to the Newest Level I Certified Technicians!
Robert Dawson,
SouthWest ElectriTech Services
Daniel Alaniz,
Quality Switchgear, Inc. Optional Link
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These Lego Pieces are Electrical Circuits
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NECA 2016 Show
October 7-10, 2016
Boston, MA
Big R/ReMaTecUSA Show
October 29-30, 2016
Las Vegas, NV
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PEARL is now accepting applications for Level 1 Technician Certification. For more information, click here, or contact pearl@pearl1.org.
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PEARL offers some of the most competitive advertising rates in the industry with the PEARL$AFE monthly newsletter. Reach over 11,000 people with your ad! Click here to review the e-Newsletter media kit. Have questions? Contact PEARL at pearl@pearl1.org.
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Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League | 877-AT-PEARL | http://www.pearl1.org10200 W. 44th St., Ste. 304 | Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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