"MoiInAust" wrote in message
...
Sorry Richard. Did not mean to alarm you. In fact there
has been some doubt about whether the material in the AR88
caps is PCB and indeed there's even some controversy about
how dangerous PCB is. But I personally (nervous fellow
that I am) prefer to play safe. I even have cards all over
my workbench reminding me that there are lethal voltages
in an AR88. Trouble with modern electronics is we get used
to handling 5volts with impunity and it is as well to
rekindle the caution we used to apply (or should have) in
the valve days. For those who want to read up on PCBs try
the writings of Barry Ornitz who is a very knowledgeable
chemical engineer.

Well, I'm not very alarmed:-) PCB's are considered
serious environmental polutants and are toxic, especially
when exposure is chronic. The may be carcinogens but when I
looked this up just a few minutes ago, it does not seem to
be well established, I had thought it was. If you have to
clean it up wear _nitrile_ gloves since the stuff will
penetrate latex. There is certainly no reason to replace
intact PCB filled capacitors if they are not leaking and are
OK electrically.
PCBs began to be used to replace mineral oil in
capacitors and transformers in the 1930s because they are
not inflamible and have better electrical characteristics.
They were sold under many trade names but its possible some
other substances may also have been marketed under those
names. In capacitors and transformers such names as Askarel,
Pyranol (General Electic), Dykanol (Cornel Dublier), and
many others.

--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL