Definitions

Capacitor. A device for accumulating and holding an electric charge and consisting of conductive surfaces separated by a dielectric medium

• Capacitor, large high-voltage. Any capacitor containing 1.36 kilograms (three pounds) or more of dielectric fluid and operating at or above 2,000 volts (AC or DC)
• Capacitor, large low-voltage. Any capacitor containing 1.36 kilograms (three pounds) or more of dielectric fluid and operating below 2,000 volts (AC or DC)
• Capacitor, small. A capacitor containing less than 1.36 kilograms (three pounds) of dielectric fluid. When the amount of dielectric fluid is not known, the following capacitors can be assumed to be small: (1) capacitors with a total volume of less than 1,639 cubic centimeters (cm3) and (2) capacitors with a total volume between 1,639 and 3,278 cm3 and a total weight of less than 4.08 kilograms (nine pounds).

Dielectric fluid. A fluid with an electrical conductivity less than a millionth of an ohm. Before 1979, PCBs were a common component of dielectric fluid because of their stability and dielectric characteristics.

Fluorescent light ballast. A device that electrically controls fluorescent light fixtures. A ballast typically includes a capacitor containing 0.1 kilogram (0.2 pounds) or less of dielectric fluid.

Parts per million (ppm). Unit of concentration expressed as milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes and in gas pipeline systems as a lubricant. Further sale or new use was banned by law in 1979.

PCB article. Any manufactured article, other than a PCB container, containing PCBs and the surfaces of which have been in direct contact with PCBs. Included are capacitors, transformers, electric motors, pumps, pipes, and any other manufactured item (1) that is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacture; (2) the end-use function of which is dependent in whole or in part on its shape or design during end use; and (3) that has experienced either no change of chemical composition during its end use or only those changes of composition that have no commercial purpose separate from that of the PCB article (see 40 CFR 761).

PCB article container. Any package, can, bottle, bag, barrel, drum, tank, or other device used to contain PCB articles or PCB equipment and the surfaces of which have not been in direct contact with PCBs

PCB container. Any package, can, bottle, bag, barrel, drum, tank, or other device containing PCBs or PCB articles and the surfaces of which have been in direct contact with PCBs

PCB-contaminated electrical equipment. Any electrical equipment containing between 50 and 500 ppm PCBs. Oil-filled electrical equipment with an undetermined PCB concentration must be assumed to be PCB-contaminated.

PCB equipment. Any manufactured item, other than a PCB container or a PCB-article container, containing a PCB article or other PCB equipment

PCB item. Any PCB article, PCB-article container, PCB container, or PCB equipment containing, deliberately or unintentionally, PCBs

PCB storage area. Designated area for storage of PCB wastes; includes the central Hazardous Waste Storage Area and the waste accumulation areas (see Chapter 17, "Hazardous Wastes")

Transformer. An electrical device that steps voltage up or down. Older transformers may contain PCBs because PCBs were a common component of dielectric fluid.

• Transformer, PCB. Any transformer that contains 500 ppm PCBs or greater
• Transformer, mineral-oil PCB. Any transformer originally designed to contain mineral oil as the dielectric fluid that has between tested and found to contain 500 ppm PCBs or greater
• Transformer, PCB-contaminated. A transformer with dielectric fluid that contains between 50 and 500 ppm PCBs
• Transformer, non-PCB. Any transformer containing less than 50 ppm PCBs, unless it has been converted from a PCB transformer or a PCB-contaminated transformer