Re: NSTs & PCBs?!?

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

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" <Neonglo-at-aol-dot-com>

Hi Steve, All,

As far as I know, neon transformers never contained PCBs (or tar for that 
matter) in the potting compound. The black potting material is a mixture of 
about 50% asphalt and 50% silica flour. This improves the electrical 
insulating ability of the asphalt, and also aids in heat transfer from the 
core to the case. However, old high power factor transformers may contain a 
capacitor containing PCBs.

It is now illegal for neon distributors to sell transformers without 
secondary ground fault circuit interrupters. This has upped the price of 
transformers and made them less reliable than the old ones. No wonder sign 
shops have started to hang on to the good ol' standard neon transformers 
when they can.

Tony

*************************
Tony Greer
Special Effects Neon
Lubbock, Texas
*************************

In a message dated 3/6/03 8:33:48 AM Central Standard Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes:

>Hi,
>
>does anyone know if PCBs were ever used in the tar potting of old neon
>transformers???  When i picked up some NSTs today, the man at the sign shop
>mentioned i probably should not try to depot them as there may be PCB in
>the tar.  But now that i think about that, i would think they would have to
>use better methods of sealing off the case of the NST, if that were true
>(but then again, they didnt really think PCBs were bad at the time of its
>use).
>So to make sure, did the use PCB??  It makes me worry when i think of all
>the old transformers i unpotted!
>
>Steve Ward,
>
>PS, i hope im not setting off a false alarm. if so, sorry about that!
>
>PPS, is anyone else having a heck of a time getting NSTs???  The sign shops
>dont want to give up the old ones, and say that the price of new ones is
>sky rocketing.
>