Author Topic: Dubilier Nitrogol capacitors, do they contain PCBs?  (Read 2349 times)

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Offline AggropopTopic starter

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Dubilier Nitrogol capacitors, do they contain PCBs?
« on: August 19, 2019, 01:18:41 pm »
I looked around on the internet, including this forum, and couldn't find any solid information one way or another, so I thought I would sign up and ask directly:

Do Dubilier Nitrogol paper-in-oil HV capacitors contain PCBs?

I found a bunch of them at work (new old stock, models B1384 and B1385, tested OK at low-ish voltage) and I'm undecided on what to do with them. Obviously they don't belong in the dumpster, but I don't want to add them to my parts bin either, if it turns out they contain poison.

Thanks!

Reference Pic:


 

Offline ebastler

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Re: Dubilier Nitrogol capacitors, do they contain PCBs?
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2019, 01:33:40 pm »
This report lists two specific types of Nitrogol capacitors as not containing PCB -- see page 63.
Not sure whether you can conclude that all Nitrogol capacitors are harmless though.

http://www.nepc.gov.au/system/files/resources/378b7018-8f2a-8174-3928-2056b44bf9b0/files/anzecc-gl-identification-pcb-containing-capacitors-information-booklet-electricians-and-electrical.pdf

 

Offline AggropopTopic starter

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Re: Dubilier Nitrogol capacitors, do they contain PCBs?
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2019, 01:44:18 pm »
Yeah, I've seen that pdf. I'm hesitant to extrapolate from that, since the models listed in there are significantly different from the ones I have.
 

Offline factory

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Re: Dubilier Nitrogol capacitors, do they contain PCBs?
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2019, 01:52:54 pm »
There are newer ones branded "MPE" Nitrogol, like this one with a 1992 date code, I'm fairly certain PCB's were banned years before that.

Edit:
Quote
The UK production of PCBs ceased in 1976. However, the sale for use in electrical
equipment was allowed until 1986.

814872-0

The TCC/Plessey Visconol apparently contain PCB's.

Personally I wouldn't bother using them as the oil can leak out of them, something which was a common problem with the smaller Plessey 1uF ones used on heat & vent units we repaired at work, thankfully now all replaced with film types.

David
« Last Edit: August 19, 2019, 01:58:53 pm by factory »
 

Offline AggropopTopic starter

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Re: Dubilier Nitrogol capacitors, do they contain PCBs?
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2019, 03:03:06 pm »
That's very interesting, thank you. My best guess as to when my examples were made (based on the kind of stuff that was stored with them) is the 1970s, so it looks like they could be either way, unfortunately. I don't suppose there is some kind of test to determine PCBs?
 

Offline james_s

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Re: Dubilier Nitrogol capacitors, do they contain PCBs?
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2019, 04:09:49 pm »
Don't worry about it either way. PCBs are fairly benign to us, the problem is that they are extremely stable compounds so when they get into the ground water they stay there, over time this is a problem because you don't want to be drinking the stuff. It's a problem at scale though, millions of huge utility transformers, millions of tons of discarded consumer and industrial goods, that adds up. A handful of capacitors though? I wouldn't hesitate to have them in my house even if I knew they contained PCBs.
 


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