Contents
When does a PCB capacitor need to be manufactured?
Manufacture before July 2, 1979, or a PCB trade name on the nameplate is a good indicator of high concentration PCBs. The regulations require the assumption “that a capacitor manufactured prior to July 2, 1979, and whose PCB concentration is not established, contains 500 ppm PCBs” and is a PCB capacitor.
What do you need to know about PCB’s and PCBs?
PCB and PCBs (as defined in §761.3):any chemical substance that is limited to the biphenyl molecule that has been chlorinated to varying degrees or any combination of substances which contains such substance. Refer to §761.1(b) for applicable concentrations of PCBs.
What makes a PCB a low concentration material?
Low-concentration PCBs (as defined in §761.123):PCBs that are tested and found to contain less than 500 ppm PCBs, or those PCB-containing materials which EPA requires to be assumed to be at concentrations below 500 ppm (i.e., untested mineral oil dielectric fluid).
When did they stop using PCB in electrical equipment?
A common misperception is that because the regulations banned the manufacture of PCBs in 1979, PCB-containing electrical equipment is no longer in use. The regulations, however, authorize the use of intact and non-leaking PCB-containing dielectrics in transformers, capacitors, and fluorescent light ballasts for the useful life of the equipment.
What kind of transformers are contaminated with PCB?
They are designated PCB transformers or PCB capacitors. Mineral oil transformers containing 50 ppm (0.005%) PCBs are designated PCB contaminated transformers. All of the above are regulated for use and disposal.
How are Aroclors different from other types of PCB?
Aroclors are odorless; different aroclors have different percent chlorine weight fractions of PCBs that result in different properties. A typical aroclor is designated 1254. Twelve denotes the number of carbons in the PCB molecule and 54 denotes the percent chlorine weight fraction.