Re: FYI for the list

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Bert Hickman by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-net>

Ralph,

In addition to being non-flammable, PCB's are heavy - typically 1.4-1.6X
heavier than water, so they will sink if placed in water. They tend to
be clear with a light yellow tint.  Thinner PCB's (such as older
transformer oil) typically have a sweet, solvent-like odor, similar to
benzene. 

Mineral oil is significantly lighter than water (Specific Gravity ~0.89)
and will float. And it will burn with a yellow sooty flame, while PCB's
will not (but do the test outside!). Other typical capacitor oils (such
as most silicone oils, castor oil, or Di-Octal-Pthalate) are all lighter
than water, and will float.

-- Bert --
-- 
Bert Hickman
Stoneridge Engineering
Email:    bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-net
Web Site: http://www.teslamania-dot-com

Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>"
<Parpp807-at-aol-dot-com>
> 
> Hi all,
> A Fair Radio 0.01 uF -at- 100 kV capacitor cracked open and poured out a big
> pool of oil.
> I had the 0.01 in parallel with the 0.023 MMC connected across the 15/150 NST
> bank.
> The run was not longer than 30 sec with several minutes between runs.
> 
> Does anyone know if the oil is a PCB? There is no characteristic odor of
> phenol,
> the oil is more like old crankcase oil, very dirty and sooty.
> 
> Cheers,
> Ralph Zekelman