CLC/TR 50503:2010
(Main)Guidelines for the inventory control, management, decontamination and/or disposal of electrical equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs
Guidelines for the inventory control, management, decontamination and/or disposal of electrical equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs
The scope of this Technical report is to provide guidance for the activities of inventory, control, management, decontamination and/or disposal of equipment and containers with insulating liquid containing PCBs, in compliance with the Council Directives (96/59/EC), using Best Available Techniques - BAT - (96/61/EC), Commission Decision (2001/68/EC), Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and/or with appropriate national or local legislation. This Technical report is addressed, in particular, toward the Life Cycle Management (LCM) of insulating liquids and it has been developed in accordance with the following objectives: a) reduction of risks for workers, public health and the environment, arising from human error, malfunction, or failures of the equipment that could cause fires or spillage of hazardous and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS)s; b) implementation of the “Best Available Techniques” (BAT),”Best Environmental Practices”(BEP)and methodologies available for safety, whilst taking into account the surroundings and the criteria of self-sufficiency and functional recovery; c) technical feasibility of the activities within the prescribed time schedules, taking into account current legislation and economic feasibility. NOTE 1 For those CENELEC countries in which the European Directives do not apply, this Technical report has an informative purpose only. Different limits from those given in the present Technical report are required in some countries. NOTE 2 For those countries outside of European Community the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) should be applied. NOTE 3 When reading this Technical report, reference should also be made to Annex C of EN 50195 and Annex B of EN 50225, because in some EU countries (i.e. France, Italy, Poland, Spain, etc.) there are other mandatory requirements.
Smernice za obvladovanje zalog, upravljanje, dekontaminacijo oziroma odstranjevanje električne opreme in izolacijskih tekočin, ki vsebujejo PCB
Namen tega tehničnega poročila je zagotavljanje vodila za obvladovanje zalog, upravljanje, dekontaminacijo oziroma odstranjevanje opreme in vsebnikov z izolacijskimi tekočinami, ki vsebujejo PCB, v skladu z direktivo Sveta (96/59/ES), z uporabo najboljših razpoložljivih tehnik - BAT – (96/61/ES), odločbo Komisije (2001/68/ES), Stockholmsko konvencijo o obstojnih organskih onesnaževalcih (POP) in/ali ustrezno nacionalno ali lokalno zakonodajo. To tehnično poročilo obravnava predvsem upravljanje življenjskega cikla (LCM) izolacijskih tekočin in je bil pripravljen v skladu z naslednjimi cilji:
a) zmanjševanje tveganja za delavce, javno zdravje in okolje, do katerega prihaja zaradi človeških napak, nepravilnega delovanja ali okvar opreme, ki bi lahko povzročili požare ali razlitje nevarnih in obstojnih organskih onesnaževalcev (POP);
b) izvajanje »najboljših razpoložljivih tehnik« (BAT), »najboljših okoljskih praks« (BEP) in metodologij, ki so na voljo za varnost, ob upoštevanju okolice in meril samozadostnosti ter funkcionalne obnove;
c) tehnična izvedljivost dejavnosti v predpisanem časovnem okviru, ob upoštevanju veljavne zakonodaje in ekonomske izvedljivosti.
OPOMBA 1: Za tiste države CENELEC, v katerih evropske direktive ne veljajo, je to tehnično poročilo le informativnega pomena. V nekaterih državah so zahtevane meje, ki se razlikujejo od mej, navedenih v tem tehničnem poročilu.
OPOMBA 2: Za države zunaj Evropske skupnosti velja Stockholmska konvencija o obstojnih organskih onesnaževalcih (POP).
OPOMBA 3: Ob branju tega tehničnega poročila se je treba sklicevati tudi na Dodatek C EN 50195 in Dodatek B EN 50225, ker so v nekaterih državah EU (tj. v Franciji, Italiji, na Poljskem, v Španiji, itd.) veljajo druge obvezne zahteve.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2010
6PHUQLFH]DREYODGRYDQMH]DORJXSUDYOMDQMHGHNRQWDPLQDFLMRR]LURPD
RGVWUDQMHYDQMHHOHNWULþQHRSUHPHLQL]RODFLMVNLKWHNRþLQNLYVHEXMHMR3&%
Guidelines for the inventory control, management, decontamination and or disposal of
electrical equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CLC/TR 50503:2010
ICS:
29.040.10 Izolacijska olja Insulating oils
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
TECHNICAL REPORT
CLC/TR 50503
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
February 2010
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
ICS 29.040.10
English version
Guidelines for the inventory control, management,
decontamination and/or disposal of electrical equipment
and insulating liquids containing PCBs
This Technical Report was approved by CENELEC on 2009-12-25.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
Central Secretariat: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels
© 2010 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. CLC/TR 50503:2010 E
Foreword
This Technical Report has been prepared by CENELEC BTTF 116-1 ‘‘Fluids for electrotechnical
applications’’.
It was circulated for voting in accordance with the Internal Regulations, Part 2, Subclause 11.4.3.3
(simple majority).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
___________
- 3 - CLC/TR 50503:2010
Contents
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and Definitions . 7
4 Inventory and communication . 10
4.1 PCBs for inventory purposes . 10
4.2 Equipment containing PCBs for inventory . 11
4.3 Sampling of insulating liquids . 12
4.4 Analytical determinations of PCBs. 12
4.5 Communications . 12
5 Labelling . 13
5.1 Labelling of equipment containing PCBs . 13
5.2 Labelling of equipments after decontamination . 13
6 Managing safety . 14
6.1 General prescriptions . 14
6.2 Personal protection devices . 15
6.3 Handling and transportation . 15
6.4 Actions in case of accidents . 16
6.5 Fires . 17
7 Operation and maintenance . 17
7.1 General criteria for the evaluation of functional degradation . 17
7.2 Type of monitoring and frequency . 18
7.3 Maintenance interventions . 21
7.4 Field screening tests . 22
7.5 Maintenance report . 22
7.6 Qualification of operators . 22
8 Decontamination . 23
8.1 General requirements. 23
8.2 General principles . 23
8.3 Decontamination obligations . 24
8.4 Decontamination methodologies and techniques for mineral insulating oil . 25
8.5 Decontamination methodologies and techniques for other insulating liquids . 26
8.6 Fulfilment of conditions after the decontamination . 26
8.7 Qualification of operators . 28
9 End of use . 28
10 Disposal . 28
10.1 Obligations and prohibitions . 28
10.2 Methodologies and techniques for the decontamination and disposal of wastes . 28
Annex A (informative) List of PCBs manufacturers and commercial names. 30
Annex B (informative) Example of test report for PCBs inventory . 33
Annex C (informative) Example of communication forms - Equipment/Container card . 34
Annex D (informative) Example of communication forms - Registration card . 35
Annex E (informative) Example of communication forms -
Decontamination/Disposal card . 36
Annex F (informative) Example of labels for equipment containing PCBs . 37
Annex G (informative) Labels for decontaminated transformers . 38
Annex H (informative) Equivalent toxicity (TEF) for some typical commercial
mixtures of PCBs . 39
Annex I (informative) Aroclor mixtures composition and TEQs . 40
Annex J (informative) Typical PCBs clean up levels for surfaces and soil contamination 41
Tables
Table 1 - PCBs family . 11
Table 2 - Additional test methods for PCBs insulating liquids of power and strategic
transformers . 19
Table 3- Additional test methods for Askarels insulated equipment . 20
Table 4 - Recommended types and frequency of tests and inspection . 21
Table 5 – Time deadline for decontamination and/or disposal of PCBs . 25
Table A.1 - List of PCBs manufacturers and commercial names . 30
Table H.1- Equivalent toxicity (referred on 2,3,7,8 TCDD) and non-ortho and mono-ortho
congeners concentration, and DIN congeners in commercial Aroclor PCB mixtures . 39
Table J.1 - Summary of PCBs Cleanup Levels required under US EPA Spill Policy . 41
- 5 - CLC/TR 50503:2010
Introduction
Insulating liquids with PCBs bases (Askarels) or contaminated by PCBs that may still be present
in electrical equipment in the generation, transmission, distribution and use of electric energy.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a mixture of 209 possible congeners (as defined by
EN 61619). Such compounds of a synthetic origin, have been produced and used in various
commercial mixtures at an international level since 1930 (see Annex A). The chemical stability
and relative non-flammable nature of PCBs was the main reason for their use by the
electrotechnical industry.
The same functional features of these substances created environmental problems: PCBs are,
in fact, classified as hazardous and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment,
bio-accumulable along the food chain.
It is recognised that oil-filled electrical equipment may have been contaminated by PCBs either
during manufacture or maintenance operations using oils which have been contaminated with
PCBs.
Insulating liquids and equipment containing insulating liquids are classified, respectively, “PCBs”
and “Equipment containing PCBs” when the total concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls
(209 possible congeners) and correlated compounds PCTs (polychlorinated terphenyls-
8 557 possible congeners) and PCBTs (polychlorinated benzyltoluenes-thousands of possible
congeners) present in the insulating liquids exceeds the limits prescribed by current legislation
for the single environmental matrices and/or applications (equipment and insulating liquids in
operation, waste, used oils, fuel oils, etc.).
During their operational life cycle, such equipment and insulating liquids degrade, and may
degrade faster if not properly managed and maintained, inducing failures that could cause
incidents having a significant environmental impact, that can be correlated to the specific site
conditions. In accordance with Directive 96/59/EC, during their service life, equipment
containing PCBs should, under certain conditions, be subject to measures capable of
preventing and/or mitigating degradation processes and the spillage of PCBs, to ensure the
protection of workers, public health and the environment, as well as complying with the
prescriptions of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) entered into
force on 17 May 2004.
Since the 1980’s, PCBs have been subject to prohibitions and limitations for the marketing and
use: the recent Council Directives and Commission Decisions introduced new obligations for the
inventory, control, management, decontamination and/or disposal of electrical equipment and
insulating liquid containing PCBs.
1 Scope
The scope of this Technical report is to provide guidance for the activities of inventory, control,
management, decontamination and/or disposal of equipment and containers with insulating
liquid containing PCBs, in compliance with the Council Directives (96/59/EC), using Best
Available Techniques - BAT - (96/61/EC), Commission Decision (2001/68/EC), Stockholm
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and/or with appropriate national or local
legislation.
This Technical report is addressed, in particular, toward the Life Cycle Management (LCM) of
insulating liquids and it has been developed in accordance with the following objectives:
a) reduction of risks for workers, public health and the environment, arising from human
error, malfunction, or failures of the equipment that could cause fires or spillage of
hazardous and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS)s;
b) implementation of the “Best Available Techniques” (BAT),”Best Environmental
Practices”(BEP)and methodologies available for safety, whilst taking into account the
surroundings and the criteria of self-sufficiency and functional recovery;
c) technical feasibility of the activities within the prescribed time schedules, taking into
account current legislation and economic feasibility.
NOTE 1 For those CENELEC countries in which the European Directives do not apply, this Technical report has
an informative purpose only. Different limits from those given in the present Technical report are required in some
countries.
NOTE 2 For those countries outside of European Community the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic
Pollutants (POPs) should be applied.
NOTE 3 When reading this Technical report, reference should also be made to Annex C of EN 50195 and Annex
B of EN 50225, because in some EU countries (i.e. France, Italy, Poland, Spain, etc.) there are other mandatory
requirements.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents may be used for the application of this document. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 12766-1 Petroleum products and used oils - Determination of PCBs and related
products - Part 1: Separation and determination of selected PCB
congeners by gas chromatography (GC) using an electron capture
detector (ECD)
EN 12766-2:2001 Petroleum products and used oils - Determination of PCBs and related
products - Part 2: Calculation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) content
EN 12766-3 Petroleum products and used oils - Determination of PCBs and related
products - Part 3: Determination and quantification of polychlorinated
terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT) content by
gas chromatography (GC) using an electron capture detector (ECD)
EN 50195 Code of practice for the safe use of fully enclosed askarel-filled electrical
equipment
EN 50225 Code of practice for the safe use of fully enclosed oil-filled electrical
equipment which may be contaminated with PCBs
EN 60567 Oil-filled electrical equipment - Sampling of gases and of oil for analysis
of free and dissolved gases - Guidance (IEC 60567)
EN 60599 Mineral oil-impregnated electrical equipment in service - Guide to the
interpretation of dissolved and free gases analysis (IEC 60599)
EN 61198 Mineral insulating oils - Methods for the determination of 2-furfural and
related compounds (IEC 61198)
- 7 - CLC/TR 50503:2010
EN 61619 Insulating liquids - Contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) -
Method of determination by capillary column gas chromatography
(IEC 61619)
EN 62535 Insulating liquids - Test method for detection of potentially corrosive
sulphur in used and unused insulating oil (IEC 62535)
EN 60296 Fluids for electrotechnical applications - Unused mineral insulating oils
for transformers and switchgear (IEC 60296)
EN 60422:2006 Mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment - Supervision and
maintenance guidance (IEC 60422:2005)
EN 60836 Specifications for unused silicone insulating liquids for electrotechnical
purposes (IEC 60836)
EN 61099 Specification for unused synthetic organic esters for electrical purposes
(IEC 61099)
EN 61203 Synthetic organic esters for electrical purposes - Guide for maintenance
of transformer esters in equipment
EN ISO 9001 Quality management systems - Requirements (ISO 9001)
IEC 60475 Methods of sampling liquid dielectrics
IEC 60588 series Askarels for transformers and capacitors
IEC 60944 Guide for the maintenance of silicone transformer liquids
ASTM D 971 Standard test method for interfacial tension of oil against water by the
ring method
ASTM D 7151 Standard test method for determination of elements in insulating oils by
inductively coupled plasma and atom emission spectrometry (ICP-AES)
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
askarel
synthetic, fireproof insulating liquid which, when decomposed by electrical arc, will evolve
predominantly non combustible gaseous mixtures
NOTE Askarels usually consist of polychlorinated biphenyls with or without the addition of polychlorinated benzenes.
[IEV 212-07-08]
3.2
Best Available Techniques (BAT) and Best Environmental Practices (BEP)
Best Available Techniques (BAT) means the most effective and advanced stage in the
development of activities and their operation methods which indicate the practical suitability of
particular techniques for providing in principle the basis for emission limit values designed to
prevent and, where that is not practicable, generally to reduce emissions and the impact on the
environment as a whole:
• “techniques” shall include both the technology used and the way in which the installation is
designed, built, maintained, operated and decommissioned;
• “available techniques” shall mean those techniques developed on a scale which allows
implementation in the relevant industrial sector, under economically and technically viable
conditions, taking into consideration the costs and advantages, whether or not the
techniques are used or produced inside the member state in question, as long as they are
reasonably accessible to the operator;
• “best” shall mean most effective in achieving a high general level of protection of the
environment as a whole
[Council Directive 96/61/EC]
Best Environmental Practices (BEP) means the application of the most appropriate combination
of environmental control measures and strategies (Stockholm Convention Art. 5)
3.3
congener
all the chlorine derivatives of biphenyl, irrespective of the number of chlorine atoms, are termed
congeners
[EN 61619]
3.4
contaminant
foreign substance or material in an insulating liquid, gas or solid, which usually has deleterious
effect on one or more properties
[IEV 212-07-26]
3.5
technical decontamination
procedure of reducing, eliminating and/or decomposing compounds and/or undesired elements
as contaminants on a specific matrix, to the prescribed concentration limit
3.6
decontamination from PCBs
all operations which enable equipment, objects, materials or fluids contaminated by PCBs to be
reused, recycled or disposed of under safe conditions, and which may include replacement,
meaning all operations in which PCBs are replaced by suitable fluids not containing PCBs
[Council Directive 96/59/EC Art. 2, e]
NOTE PCBs decontamination techniques may be applied during the service life of the electrical equipments or at the end of their
life. In the latter case these techniques may be considered as waste treatment. When these techniques are applied during the
service life then they should be considered as maintenance activities.
3.7
dehalogenation of PCBs
method of chemical decontamination and dehalogenating of PCBs down to the prescribed
concentration limit
NOTE Halogenated compounds include PCTs, PCBTs, PCDFs, PCDDs, etc.
3.8
depolarisation
method of decontamination from specific polar compounds or oxidation by products of unused
and used insulating liquid, capable of reinstating the functional features required.
This process includes selective physical and/or chemical reactions applying the best available
techniques
- 9 - CLC/TR 50503:2010
3.9
disposal
operations D8, D9, D10, D12 (only in safe, deep, underground storage in dry rock formations
and only for equipment containing PCBs and used PCBs which cannot be decontaminated) and
D15 provided for in Annex II A of Directive 75/442/EEC
[Council Directive 96/59/EC Art. 2, f]
3.10
equipment containing PCBs
any equipment containing PCBs or having contained PCBs (e.g. transformers, capacitors,
receptacles containing residual stocks) which has not been decontaminated. Equipment of a
type which may contain PCBs shall be treated as if it contains PCBs unless it is reasonable to
assume the contrary
[Council Directive 96/59/EC Art. 2, b]
3.11
failure
end of the capability of a component or system to fulfil the function required
3.12
holder
natural or legal person who is in possession of PCBs, used PCBs and/or equipment containing
PCBs
[Council Directive 96/59/EC Art. 2, d]
3.13
incineration
controlled combustion to degrade materials
3.14
insulating liquid
liquid with negligibly low electrical conductivity, used to separate conducting parts at different
electrical potentials
3.15
maintenance
combination of all technical and administrative actions, including supervision actions, intended
to retain an item in, or restore it to, a state in which it can perform a required function
3.16
reclaiming
elimination of soluble and insoluble contaminants from an insulating liquid by chemical
absorption means, in order to restore properties as close as possible to the original value
NOTE The process may include the use of antioxidants.
3.17
risk
probability value of damage to occur. It is a function of time, failure rate, asset value and
potential damage
3.18
PCBs
- polychlorinated biphenyls;
- polychlorinated terphenyls;
- monomethyl-tetrachlorodiphenyl methane, monomethyl-dichloro-diphenyl methane,
monomethyl-dibromo-diphenyl methane;
- any mixture containing any of the above mentioned substances in a total of more than
0,005 % by weight
[Council Directive 96/59/EC Art. 2, a]
3.19
polychlorinated biphenyls
biphenyl substituted by one to 10 chlorine atoms
3.20
treatment
procedure using physical or chemical means with the purpose of reinstating the features of the
fluid and/or environmental matrix near the values desired
3.21
used PCBs
any PCBs which are considered as a waste within the meaning of Directive 75/442/EEC
3.22
waste
any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard
NOTE During their service life, electrical equipment and insulating liquids shall not be considered as waste.
4 Inventory and communication
Electrical equipments containing PCB contaminated insulating liquids are not considered waste
whilst in service even if they are subject to the inventory.
The holders of equipment containing PCBs in volume exceeding 5 dm³ (5 l) are required to
provide inventory and report to the authorities in charge, providing the information specified in
4.5.
NOTE 1 The limit of 5 dm³ is intended as referred to the volume of the insulating liquid (PCBs) contained by the equipment; if this is
not known or can be presumed from the data of the plate or other documents of the manufacturer, it should be referred to the total
volume of the equipment.
NOTE 2 Each capacitor in a bank battery should be considered as a single equipment to which the total volume of 5 dm³ applies.
4.1 PCBs for inventory purposes
With the term of PCBs is intended a family of substances including polychlorinated biphenyls
and the products correlated to them listed in Table 1.
- 11 - CLC/TR 50503:2010
Table 1 - PCBs family
Symbols synonyms and
Family of substances
commercial mixtures
Askarels, Aroclor (1242 – 1254 – 1260),
1 Polychlorinated biphenyls
Apirolio, Clophen, Pyralene, etc.
PCT
2 Polychlorinated terphenyls
Aroclor (5442 – 5460 – 5060)
Monomethyl-tetrachlorodiphenyl methane,
Polychlorinated benziltoluenes PCBT
3 Monomethyl-dichloro-diphenyl methane,
Ugilec 141, T4
Monomethyl-dibromo-diphenyl methane
Mineral insulating oils
Any mixture containing any of the above
4 mentioned substances in a total of more
Synthetic insulating liquids such as
than 0,005 % by weight
silicones, alkylbenzenes, etc.
NOTE Directive 96/59/EC expresses the limit concentration as a percentage by weight, whereas technical
standards and common use utilise units of measure such as mg/kg or parts per million (ppm). To clarify, the
conversion ratios are listed here below:
• 0,005 % by weight corresponds to 50 mg/kg, or 50 parts per million (ppm);
• 0,05 % by weight corresponds to 500 mg/kg, or 500 parts per million (ppm).
In this Technical Report, concentrations are always expressed in mg/kg.
Consequently, the designation PCBs includes, besides polychlorinated biphenyls, other families
of substances having a similar level of hazard and thus subject to the same restrictions. The
summation of the concentrations of all the substances mentioned herein constitutes the total
PCBs content to which the limits are referred
Among all the families of substances belonging by definition to the category of PCBs, the
polychlorinated biphenyls, properly designated, had a capillary dissemination, whereas PCTs
and PCBTs have been marketed and used on a more limited scale.
The analytical methods that can be applied in measuring the PCBs content in insulating liquids
and in the relevant containers are described in 4.4.
4.2 Equipment containing PCBs for inventory
For “equipment containing PCBs”, (Directive 96/59/EC), means any equipment containing PCBs
or having contained PCBs (e.g. transformers, resistors, inductors, reactors, switches, capacitors
receptacles containing residual stock, etc.) which has not been decontaminated. Equipment of a
type which may contain PCBs shall be treated as if it contains PCBs unless it is reasonable to
assume the contrary (Article 2, b).
It is also reasonable to assume that equipment containing insulating liquid can be considered
“PCBs free” when one or more of the following conditions occur:
a) the equipment has been acquired with a certificate by the manufacturer guaranteeing that it
was PCBs free and that it has not subsequently been subject to handling of the dielectric or
topping-up with oils containing PCBs. In the event of doubt, it is required that at least a
screening test of the total chlorine content in the insulating liquid is performed (see 7.4);
b) laboratory analytical determinations, performed with methodologies approved by current
regulations are available, certifying a concentration of PCBs not exceeding 50 mg/kg.
c) statistical analysis of appropriate equipment populations shows this to be the case.
If conditions of the above point a) do not occur and it is not possible to perform the
measurements indicated in point b) (because the equipment is sealed, cannot be accessed or it
is difficult to take samples due to operational requirements or any other reason) the equipment
should be considered as “containing PCBs” unless it is reasonable to assume the contrary.
Also, the determination of the concentration of PCBs in insulating liquids is recommended:
a) if there are reasons to believe that the content of PCBs could have been changed as a
result of maintenance operations as mentioned in 7.3;
b) at the end-of-life and disposal of the equipment or the fluid, and the content of PCBs is not
already known.
4.3 Sampling of insulating liquids
WARNING: Strict control should be undertaken to avoid accidental spills to the environment.
A representative sampling of the insulating liquid should be performed according to IEC 60475:
a) preferably through the lower valve, for equipment so equipped;
b) through the expansion tank (conservator) for equipment not equipped with lower valve or
difficult to access.
If the equipment includes independent circuits or compartments (load tap-changer, insulating
bushings, etc.) each part should be sampled.
It is recommended that qualified personnel only perform the sampling. Also the use of throw-
away materials is recommended to prevent the possibility of cross-contaminations. In case the
sampling materials are reused, they should be properly decontaminated prior to a new sampling
operation.
Together with the sampling operations, a visual inspection is recommended to evaluate possible
spills from the equipment, their amount and the relevant counter-measures to be taken to
ensure the protection of the environment.
4.4 Analytical determinations of PCBs
The determination of PCBs shall be performed in accordance with Commission
Decision 2001/68/EC-Reference Methods:
- EN 61619 in insulating liquids (Art. 2);
- EN 12766-1, EN 12766-2:2001 and subsequently upgraded versions (EN 12766-3) for
petroleum products and used oils (Art. 1).
The determinations performed by a gas-chromatographic method using a packed column, prior
to the implementation of EN 61619 are to be considered, valid for the purposes of the inventory.
NOTE 1 Test reports relative to the determination of PCBs should confirm the correct applications of the Standards and the
requisites of competence and quality of the test laboratories (EN ISO/IEC 17025, EN ISO 9001). Uncertainty should be indicated in
the test report.
NOTE 2 An example of a test report for PCB inventory is described in Annex B.
For a proper management of hazardous wastes, laboratories receiving oil samples for analytical
purposes (PCB inventory, transformer maintenance, DGA, etc.) shall identify those PCB
contaminated samples and dispose of them according to local regulations.
4.5 Communications
The communication required by the inventory illustrated in 4.2 should be forwarded to the
authorities, and should provide the following information (unless differently prescribed by
national/local regulations):
a) names and addresses of the holders;
b) location and description of the equipments;
c) quantity of insulating liquids and concentration of PCBs contained by the equipment;
d) dates and types of treatment or replacement carried out or envisaged;
e) date of declaration.
NOTE 1 At point c) the quantity of insulating liquid is the total mass of insulating liquid contained by the equipment or
container. Concentration of PCBs is the concentration by weight of PCBs measured in the insulating liquid.
- 13 - CLC/TR 50503:2010
NOTE 2 For pole transformers and similar equipment where samples cannot be taken without destroying the equipment and
access is impractical different methodologies may be accepted in the acquisition of the information listed in the above items c) and
d).
The inventory of equipment should be made and updated according to EU Directives and local
regulations.
Annexes C, D and E provide examples of forms to be used for registration and communication
of the information required.
5 Labelling
5.1 Labelling of equipment containing PCBs
In European countries, labelling shall be according to Council Directives 67/548/EEC and
96/56/EC (4.5).
Equipment containing PCBs, as defined by 4.2 shall be identified by a label. An example of
label is shown in Annex F.
It shall include the following indications in black over orange background:
a) name of the holder of the equipment;
b) hazard symbols of the substance;
c) indication of risks (R) and safety (S).
A similar label must also be affixed to the doors of premises where the equipment containing
PCBs is located.
5.2 Labelling of equipments after decontamination
In European countries, labelling should be according to Council Directive 96/56/EC.
After decontamination, transformers containing PCBs should be marked by am indelible and
embossed or engraved sign which must include the following information:
EQUIPMENT CONTAINING PCBs DECONTAMINATED
as well as the following data:
a) the identification of the replacing fluid (in case of decontamination by treatment of the oil,
without replacing it, example by dehalogenation, indicate “same fluid dehalogenated”);
b) the date in which the decontamination has been carried-out;
c) the company that has performed the decontamination;
d) the concentration of PCBs prior to the decontamination, expressed in percentage by weight;
e) depending on the case: the PCB content, after at least 90 operating days following the
decontamination, is expressed in weight percentage.
NOTE Local regulations may give different timing in PCBs control after the decontamination.
If the equipment is composed of physically separated elements (radiators, on-load tap-
changers, expansion tank, etc.) located in separate areas/rooms, the label should be applied to
each element of the equipment that was decontaminated.
Annex G provides two examples of the compilation of the label, in case of decontamination by
dehalogenation or in case of replacement of the oil.
6 Managing safety
In all cases of accidents national/local authorities must be notified in accordance with current
regulations.
The staff properly trained to contain spills and/or performing interventions on failed equipment
must be provided with the appropriate personal safety equipment.
All reasonably practical measures capable of mitigating spills and containing the liquid spilled
preventing the entry into sewerage systems and/or open waters must be implemented.
All possible prevention measures mitigating the negative impact of the accident must be
implemented.
NOTE Clause 6 of this Technical Report is based on EN 50195 and EN 50225, updating when necessary their prescriptions.
6.1 General prescriptions
Because of the danger and bio-persistence of PCBs, a basic importance should be allocated to
the managing sides for safety and the prevention of accidents and personal injuries and for the
safeguard of the health of workers and population and the environment.
All the activities associated with the management of equipment and insulating liquids containing
PCBs, including decontamination and disposal activities, should be performed in compliance
with current regulations.
When performing the activities included in the field of application of this Technical Report,
appropriate measures should be implemented for the prevention of leakages and spills into the
environment of liquids containing PCBs, as well as the prevention of conditions leading to fires.
Possible types of accidents involving equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs include:
a) cold events of low magnitude, such as dripping and confined spills;
b) cold event of major magnitude, such as the breaking of the tank and not-confined spills with
an impact on the environment;
c) hot events, such as fires and the formation of highly dangerous by products, having an
elevated impact on the environment, such as polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs – 75
possible congeners) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs – 135 possible congeners)
originated by uncontrolled thermal oxidation reactions by PCBs.
It is emphasised that PCBs as well as PCDDs and PCDFs are included within persistent
compounds regulated by the “Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants-POPs”
22 May 2001, Basel Convention and UNEP (see references). The comparative evaluation of
risks associated with PCDDs and PCDFs and the various commercial mixtures of PCBs should
be carried out as a function of the relevant equivalent toxicities (TEF with respect to 2,3,7,8-
TCDD) as pointed out by World Health Organisation (WHO). The values of equivalent toxicity
for some typical commercial mixtures are indicated in Annexes H and I.
The need for decontamination and/or recovery of environmental matrices involved by spills
and/or emissions of PCBs should be based upon criteria satisfying the requisites adopted at
national and international level in order to avoid unreasonable costs associated with objective
risks of exposure. In Annex J examples are reported.
The management of equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs, and the relevant
operating procedures, should be developed, as far as possible, in compliance with the criteria of
Life Cycle Management (LCM) in the process of being adopted at European level for electric
and electronic equipment and the evaluation criteria of risk adopted at international level
(ISO/IEC Guide 73).
The activities for the management of equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs should
be performed in compliance with technical standards EN 50195, EN 50225 and IEC 60588
series, of which the main prescriptions are listed here below.
In all cases, the decontamination and/or disposal have to be done according to the prescriptions
fixed by Directive 96/59/EC or national/local regulations (if more restrictive).
- 15 - CLC/TR 50503:2010
6.2 Personal protection devices
In accordance with the safety requirements for activities related to inspection, control,
maintenance, decontamination and general handling of equipment and insulating liquids
containing PCBs, appropriate individual protection devices should be used.
The type of protection device should be chosen as a function of the risks correlated with the
activity to be performed and the risks existing on the site and/or connected with other work
operations possibly present.
If there is a risk of contact with contaminated insulating liquids or surfaces, oil-proof gloves,
protection glasses or screens, oil-proof overalls or aprons should be used, as indicated by code
of practice EN 50225.
During normal operations for maintenance, elimination of leakages or transfer of insulating
liquid, respiratory protection devices are not necessary, since the vapour pressure of PCBs at
ambient temperatures is very low.
Appropriate devices for respiratory protection should be used when PCBs are present, under
the following particular circumstances:
• possible inhalation of gases produced by electric arc;
• possible contact with degradation products of PCBs in the event of fire;
• presence of PCBs sprayed as a result of leakage;
• presence of PCBs in small and confined spaces;
• presence of solvents used for cleaning and washing;
• presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl).
NOTE Personnel should be appropriately trained in the use of respiratory protection devices; operations performed with the use of
self-breathing devices should be supervised by expert personnel, capable of providing first aid in case of accidents.
In case of fire, all unauthorised personnel should immediately evacuate the involved area.
6.3 Handling and transportation
6.3.1 Handling
The handling of equipment containing PCBs requires the same precautions as the handling of
oil-filled equipment, since no risk to human health or the environment is known, provided that
the PCBs stay inside the equipment.
NOTE If the handling could involve considerable risk of breakage of the tank/container, appropriate supplementary measures
should be implemented to prevent spilling contaminated liquids into the environment.
6.3.2 Special prescription for transportation
The transportation of PCBs and equipment containing PCBs is designated as transportation of
hazardous goods, thus it regulated by specific rules, depending upon the mode of
transportation. International regulations relative to the various transportation typologies are ADR
(European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) for roads,
RID (Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail) for
railways, RIN (Regulatory Identification Number) for waterways, IMDG (International Maritime
Dangerous Goods) code for maritime shipping and ICAO (International Civil Aviation
Organisation) for air transportation.
These international regulations, to prevent damages to persons, carriers, loads and the
environment, provide a series of requirements during the transportation, regarding appropriate
packaging, labelling, characteristics of the carrier, modes of transportation, loading and
unloading procedures and the training of the personnel involved.
Considering the specialised know-how required, the transportation of hazardous goods requires
the involvement of authorized operators possessing specific skills.
Due to the prevalence of road transportation, relative to the other types, it is considered useful
to provide below some indications from the specific agreement (ADR) regulating road
transportation of PCBs and equipment containing PCBs.
PCBs and equipment containing PCBs (including packaging and others materials that have
contacted PCBs and not decontaminated) being “substances and equipment that in case of fire
can develop dioxins” are subject to class 9 of ADR Code UN n. 2315, thus their on-the-road
transportation is subject to the requirements of such regulation.
The regulation under scrutiny includes some particular exceptions for example of the samples
having small volume (up 2 l).
6.3.3 Transportation for the purpose of decontamination and/or disposal
The transportation of PCBs or equipment containing PCBs may follow the local regulations.
6.4 Actions in case of accidents
In case of an accident involving equipment and/or liquids containing PCBs, it is required that
immediate responsive actions are implemented toward the solution of the most critical
situations, to prevent the worsening of the risks, protecting the people and environmental assets
involved, avoiding delays, waste of resources and the generation of confusion or panic.
As a function of the seriousness of the event, it is possible to identify the following logic phases
and physical actions: discovery and notification of the event, preliminary identification and
diagnosis of the nature of the event and risks, containment and mitigation of the propagation of
the contamination, decontamination and/or elimination, final evaluation and service restore.
6.4.1 Internal failure without breaking of the equipment/container
In case of evidences for an internal failure of an equipment containing PCBs, without breakage
of the outer shell, the following precautions are recommended:
a) do not electrically re-energise the equipment;
b) disconnect the equipment from the power line to put it under safe conditions;
c) decontaminate the equipment prior to any repair or disposal in accordance with current
regulation relative to waste;
d) the oil shall be analysed if it is suspected to be contaminated with PCBs.
6.4.2 Internal failure with breakage of the equipment/container
In case of an internal failure of an equipment containing PCBs, with the breakage of the external
shell and spillage of contaminated liquid, the following precautions are recommended:
a) do not electrically re-energise the equipment;
b) inform the management in charge of the system;
c) disconnect the equipment from the power line to put it under safe conditions;
d) implement measures capable of mitigating the sp
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