{"id":10747,"date":"2023-05-30T12:51:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-30T10:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.gsa-messgeraete.de\/pcbs-in-old-capacitors\/"},"modified":"2025-04-26T14:18:30","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T12:18:30","slug":"pcbs-in-old-capacitors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.gsa-messgeraete.de\/en\/pcbs-in-old-capacitors\/","title":{"rendered":"PCBs in old capacitors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)<\/strong> were until the 90s<\/em> <\/strong>as insulating agents<\/strong> in old <\/em>capacitors<\/strong>, fluorescent lamps<\/em>, household appliances<\/em>, paints<\/em>, plastics<\/em> and plasticizers<\/em>. They continue to pose a health risk today. In many cases, old devices such as fluorescent tubes with PCB-contaminated small capacitors are still in use. The harmful PCB-contaminated insulating fluid can leak out of these. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

People are directly at risk if the PCB-containing insulating fluid<\/strong> drips onto them or if they come into contact with it. Old appliances with PCB-contaminated capacitors<\/strong> must therefore be disposed of correctly and in good time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1989<\/strong><\/em> <\/strong>PCB-loaded capacitors<\/strong> must no longer be used.<\/strong> <\/em>be replaced. The German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association recommends replacing the old capacitors as a precautionary measure and disposing of them properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


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Pollutants PCB – environmental toxins and dangers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)<\/strong> are organic<\/em> and persistent chlorine compounds<\/em> that are degraded with difficulty <\/strong><\/em>degraded and <\/strong><\/em>for the environment<\/strong><\/em> and toxic to humans<\/strong><\/em> are toxic to the environment and humans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harmful PCBs<\/em> <\/strong>can be absorbed through inhalation<\/em>, contact with the skin<\/em> or ingestion<\/em>. They can accumulate in the tissue and are considered harmful to health<\/em> <\/strong>and carcinogenic<\/strong><\/em>. Environmental pollution from PCBs has also long since reached the oceans. Killer whales (orcas), for example, are severely affected by the environmental toxin PCB. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


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Components of PCB-containing capacitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the form of a liquid dielectric<\/em> (electrically weak or non-conductive substance as a gas, liquid or solid), PCB<\/strong> <\/em>was already being used for power capacitors<\/em> inthe 1930s<\/strong><\/em>. At the end<\/em> <\/strong>of the 60s<\/em><\/strong> it was discovered that PCBs are<\/em> difficult<\/em> or impossible to break down<\/em> and can also cause cancer<\/em>. The use of PCBs was therefore restricted to so-called <\/strong><\/em>closed systems such as capacitors<\/strong> in 1978<\/strong><\/em>. The capacitors contain PCBs <\/strong>in oils that migrate in closed circuits. A short time later, it became known that PCBs can also decompose at high temperatures (e.g. via fire)<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At certain high temperatures<\/strong>, toxic polychlorodibenzodioxins (PCDDs)<\/strong> and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs) <\/strong>can be released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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Labeling of PCB-containing capacitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Certain markings<\/strong> indicate older capacitors<\/strong> with possible PCBs<\/strong>. They are marked in code on the type plates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Markings for PCB-containing capacitors:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n