How many of you have come across old fluorescent light fittings, that were installed over the period of the early 50's to late 60's, that contain PCB's(Poly-Chloro-
Bi-phenals), these are Cancer-causing substances, especially if the Ballast or the capacitor is leaking.
Your thoughts please-

I actually came across some rather old fluorescents on a refurb of a very very old garage,

they where original and still fed with LEAD sheathed cable!!!

we had to be careful in removing the lead and the fittings as with PCBs being a carcenagen, we contacted our local authority and had them place a bin there for us to securly dispose of the fittings,

the garage was originally wired in the early 1950s and has never been touched, except for the meter, the PoCo dont care about the wiring here they are only interested in the revenue.!!

Some of the fittings had a small amount of leakage from either the Ballast and or the Capacitor.

I dont like working with thisa type of installaltion, but very occasionally it comes up within our works remit.

John H

Quite a lot of these old units around this rural area. A few are found in kitchens and so forth, but I often see far more in sheds, garages, etc. It appears in some cases that when the house has been rewired that old fluoro fixtures are retired to such areas.

Ain't that the truth these days!


[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 12-10-2002).]

Guys,
We normally only find them in Commercial and Industrial installations, these days.
Fluorescents aren't really used a lot in Domestic Installations, here.
BUT, the crux of the whole matter, is this.
Once found, the PCB fittings, are required to be disposed of (responsibly), I was told to throw them out at the local tip site, recently, by the owner of a factory, that was full of these bloody things.
even being in possesion of these materials,
carries a fine of NZ$200,000, being caught dumping them, carries a fine of NZ$500,000,
plus a 6month term of imprisonment.
Which avenue would you choose?.
I rang the Authorities and told them, not sure what happened, haven't heard back!.
Just as a sideline, it became illegal to have these PCB's in 1987.