IDENTIFYING PCBs

AND PCB OWNERS

PCB IDENTIFICATION
Can be done through the following activities:
Know the equipment / materials that could possibly
use or contain PCBs
Collect data by inspecting technical specifications
Screen oil sample using proper analysis
WHAT EQUIPMENT MAY CONTAIN PCB?
Enclosed
Applications
Transformers
Capacitors
Voltage
regulators
Liquid filled
circuit breakers
WHAT EQUIPMENT MAY CONTAIN PCB?
Partially Enclosed
Applications
Hydraulic
fluids
Heat transfer
fluids
WHAT EQUIPMENT MAY CONTAIN PCB?
Open ended
Applications
Lubricants
Casting waxes
Surface coatings
Adhesives
Plasticizers
Inks
INSPECT AND COLLECT DATA
Inspect for initial indication of PCBs by checking
the manufacturing companies information on
PCB containing products
Inspect for indications of PCB fluid trade names
Check for PCB wastes
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION IN CHECKING EQUIPMENT INFORMATION

Trade name
Date of manufacture
Cooling system
Ratio of the weight of oil and equipment
Records of equipment maintenance
Screening and laboratory analysis
TRADE NAMES

Aroclor Elaol (Germany)

Pyranol (General Electric) Kanechlor

Pyroclor (USA) Santotherm (Japan)

Phenoclor Fenchlor
Pyralene (France) Apirolio (Italy)
Clopehn Sovol (USSR)
DATE OF MANUFACTURE

IMPORTANT
Europe and Russia
USA banned banned PCB
PCB in 1986 in 1993
OIL COOLING SYSTEM OF TRANSFORMERS
1st Letter 2nd Letter 3rd Letter 4th Letter
C or L or O N or F A N or F

Mode of Mode of
Type of Outer
Type of Inner Coolant Circulation of Circulation of
Coolant
Inner Coolant Outer Coolant

PCBs Mineral Oil

N = Natural N = Natural
C = O = Mineral A = Air
Chlophen Oil F = Forced F = Forced
OIL COOLING SYSTEM EVALUATION
PCB Transformers
Code 1st Letter 2nd Letter 3rd Letter 4th Letter
CNAN Clophen natural air natural
LNAN Askarel natural air natural
CNAF Clophen natural air forced
LNAF Askarel natural air forced
CFAF Clophen forced air forced
LFAF Askarel forced air forced
The code of transformers manufactured under USA standards consists of
two or three letters:
Code 1st Letter 2nd Letter 3rd Letter
OA mineral oil air (US standard)
OAF mineral oil air forced (US standard)
EXAMPLE OF TRANSFORMER NAME PLATE
RATIO OF EQUIPMENT GROSS WEIGHT AND LIQUID WEIGHT

Another indicator for the identification of PCB

transformer, that can be used, is the weight ratio
between gross weight [GW] and liquid net weight
[LW].

If the ratio LW/GW > ~30% w/w

this unit may contain PCB as
dielectric oil.
PCB-CONTAINING CAPACITORS (ANZECC)

Cylindrical or
rectangular, encased in Has a date mark
Has a resonant an aluminum container
with a weld running all from the 1950s,
start the way around the top
edge with two terminals
with quick connect tags 1960s or 1970s

Slightly heavier than Encased in a

similar types of capacitors
rectangular tin
manufactured after the
1970s (which do not to container with
contain PCBs) soldered seams
MAINTENANCE RECORDS OF EQUIPMENT
Maintenance/historical records shall be checked to
determine whether any maintenance activity (e.g., oil
replacement, oil top-up, retrofitting, or retrofilling)
was performed on the equipment
Results of analyses should also be checked whether the
method complies with what is required by the CCO for
PCBs and the Guidelines for the Registration of
Laboratories to Perform Analysis of Polychlorinated
Biphenyl in Liquids and Other Materials except
Water/Wastewater, Sediments, and Biota
FOR EQUIPMENTS WITH INCOMPLETE OR MISSING NAMEPLATE

Assume PCB

Transformers with Circuit breakers,

Transformers and mineral oil voltage regulators, old
capacitors with no dielectric fluids and fluorescent light
information no other ballasts with no
information information
IDENTIFICATION OF PCB FLOWCHART
EQUIPMENT

YES WITH NO
NAMEPLATE

YES NO
PCB- BASED

PCB
SCREENING
Proper Treatment
and Disposal
SCREENING AND ANALYSIS

Density Test Chlorine Test Laboratory Test

Determines Works on the Provides actual
presence of PCB principle of PCB
If sample sinks, it chlorine detection concentrations
is a confirmed May be done using and positive
PCB oil Clor-N-Oil test verification of
If sample floats, kits or L2000 DX PCB presence
further test shall Chloride Analyzer Done through US-
be conducted to May result to false EPA Method 8082
determine PCB positive (PCB Aroclors)
concentration using GC-ECD
PCB WASTES
Liquid PCB Waste
PCB-based dielectric fluids
removed from transformers
and other equipment
PCB-based heat transfer
and hydraulic fluids
PCB-contaminated liquids
Washings of PCB-
contaminated materials
Leakages, spillages, and
splashes of PCB-based fluids
due to mishandling or
accidents
Non-Porous Solid Waste
Porous Solid Waste
Materials used in cleaning
PCB equipment or
absorbing the spillages such
as but not limited to rags,
sawdust, contaminated
clothing, gloves, and
gaskets
PPE used in handling PCBs
PCB equipment such as
capacitors, transformers,
switchgears, circuit
breakers, heat transfer
systems, etc.
Contaminated components
removed from such
equipment such as
windings; PCB-
contaminated containers
and equipment such as
metal drums, tanks, pumps,
and metal filters, etc.
PCB TRANSFORMERS USUALLY INSTALLED INDOOR

As a rule of thumb, 99% of

the time askarel transformers
are situated in indoor
substations due to the fact
that askarel is a great
dielectric, a superior heat
transfer agent and an excellent
fire retardant. In fact, it will
not ignite even when you hold
a match to it
PCB IN MINERAL OIL

Contrary to what
some people
believe, mineral oil
transformers were
never
manufactured with
PCBs in them
PCB IN MINERAL OIL

They became contaminated when serviced by contractors using pumps and hoses that were
previously used for servicing askarel transformers. In some cases, the oil transformers became
contaminated with PCBs to several thousand ppm.
PCB IN MINERAL OIL
The Philippines EMB Regulation requires that
PCB contaminated equipment can only be
considered PCB free when its PCB concentration
is < 2 ppm.
IDENTIFYING AND
CLASSIFYING
EQUIPMENT
 USA PCB banned in 1986

Potentially PCB Free

PCB-free Dry Type
Transformer
 Europe and USA banned
PCB in 1986

PCB-filled Transformer
No Nameplate Assume
PCB filled Transformer

For PCB Screening

 1976

Indoor
Europe banned
PCB in 1986

PCB-filled
Transformer
 USA banned PCBs
in 1986

Potentially PCB Free

LW/GW = 25.38%