Re: Does my transformer have PCB oil????????

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

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <dhmccauley-at-spacecatlighting-dot-com>


Thanks for the reply.  As the transformer leaked almost its entire load of
oil in the trunk of my car, I was a bit concerned.
However, I did some research and there is a simple test to detect the
presence of PCB oil.

WATER DENSITY TEST

Since PCB oil has a density of about 1.5 (water being 1.0), it is heavier
than water.  Therefore, I took a small amount of the oil and then mixed it
with a glass of water.
The oil was completely floating on top of the water which should be a good
indication that it is just mineral oil or some derivative and not PCB.   So
thats good.

There is another method involving the heating of a copper rod to detect the
presence of chlorine, but i currently dont' have a small blow torch.

Thanks again.

Dan



> Hi Dan,
>
> I dug this up suggesting PCBs were around in 1947:
>
> http://www.darp.noaa.gov/neregion/hudsonr.htm
>
> Best just to test the oil.  I think the archives or list members know how.
But
> highly unlikely yours has PCBs.  At the time, cast iron was "old" and PC"
oil
> was "high tech".  They would not have mixed the two...
>
> Cheers,
>
>         Terry
>
>
> At 09:24 PM 9/14/2002 -0600, you wrote:
> >Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
> ><dhmccauley-at-spacecatlighting-dot-com>
> >
> >I just acquired another old GE transformer, and was wondering if anyone
> >would know if there was PCB oil in it.
> >
> >GE Pole Transformer
> >Black Cast Iron type approximately 50-60 years old.
> >4000V Primary - 120/240 center-tap secondary
> >
> >I think the transformer was probably made way before PCB oil was being
used,
> >but just wanted to make sure.
> >
> >Dan
> >
> >
> >
> >
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