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>




Hi Bert,

The oil in my antique transformer is definitely orange-like and smells
really strong (like some kind of oil solvent) - DEFINTELY not sweet.  Also,
I took a small sample of the oil and mixed it with water, and it definitely
completely floats on top of the water.

So right now it looks to be non-PCB.  Now if I could only get that smell out
of my trunk and clean it off some of the items in my trunk I'd be alright.
Also note before I took the transformer from this old friend of mine, we
opened it, he smelled it and said it was defintely transformer oil and not
PCB - as I wasn't about to take a transformer with PCBs in it, but i just
wanted to make sure.

Thanks again

Dan



> The odds are actually with you - most PCB's were actually used in
> capacitors. Only about 5% of all transformers made before 1978 used it,
> primarily at locations that demanded fire resistant dielectric fluid,
> such as inside buildings. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
> banned the manufacture of PCB's and regulated their use in 1978. If a
> transformer oil contains PCB's, it's most likely a blend of chlorinated
> benzenes and chlorinated diphenyls, and it will have a marked sweetish,
> solvent-like aromatic odor, a marked yellowish tint, and low, water like
> viscosity. Also, the density of PCB's is considerably higher than water
> (~1.5X).
>
> Try the specific gravity test or burn test. If it smells like motor oil
> and a sample floats on water, then it's mineral oil. Mineral oil starts
> out a light straw color, but it often darkens with age and heat. If a
> sample of your transformer's oil sinks in water and refuses to burn,
> it's a pretty good indication that you're transformer uses PCB's.
>
> Good luck and best regards,
>
> -- Bert --
> --
> Bert Hickman
> Stoneridge Engineering
> "Electromagically" (TM) Shrunken Coins!
> http://www.teslamania-dot-com
>
> Tesla list 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>