I have 4 High Voltage Pulse Capacitors. I have no knowledge of these types of things!!! I am moving and found them in my garage...I am trying to get rid of them. How much are they worth? They have never been used. Still have plastic around the "Coil" on the top.
--Previous Message-- : I have 4 High Voltage Pulse Capacitors. : I have no knowledge of these types of things!!! : I am moving and found them in my garage...I am trying to get rid of them. : How much are they worth? : They have never been used. : Still have plastic around the "Coil" on the top. : : Writing on them says: : : TKB 165 : .15 MFD : 120 KVDC : 50° cmax operating : : Any help would be appreciated!!! : : http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/dstse.jpg/ : http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/dsfsdfaa.png/ :
Hi,
The information I have suggests that these capacitors were originally made for the US government as part of the Distant Early Warning (DEW line) radar system in the latter half of the 1950's. The main contractor was Western Electric (part of AT&T), and these particular capacitors were likely manufactured by Cornell-Dubilier (now CDE, Inc.). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distant_Early_Warning_Line for more information about the DEW line.
The original DEW line equipment was dismantled in the 1990's and some of the items and spares appeared on the surplus market. That may be where yours originally came from. Anyway, based on their age, these caps most likely use an oil-paper dielectric system. They would work as high voltage DC filter capacitors and in low duty cycle pulsed applications, such as DC X-ray power supplies, Marx generators, HV voltage multipliers, and in pulse forming networks (PFN's). They would not be suitable for direct radio frequency (i.e., Tesla Coil tank circuit) applications.
Unfortunately, it's also quite likely that each capacitor uses PCB's as a dielectric fluid. PCB's were banned in new electrical equipment (including capacitors) in the late 1970's since they were found to be a long-lasting environmental hazard. It might be possible to locate a high voltage enthusiast who might be willing to take these off your hands. If not, you will need to locate a licensed disposal firm to safely dispose of these for you. I might be able to put you in contact with someone in your area - in what part of the US are you located?
Thank you SO much for this information Bert! They are indeed made by Cornell Dubilier (sorry I forgot to mention that). My father is the one who procured them nearly 10 years ago. They do not have the date they were created on them. He stored them in my garage and has not taken responsibility for them. Recently I began packing up to move and found them again. I have had several people make offers to buy them. One person asked $300 per capacitor! I don't want to sell them if they are harmful, though.
Thank you again for giving me such extensive information. I will see where in my city I can take them to dispose of them. I am located in Santa Cruz, California.
--Previous Message-- : Thank you SO much for this information Bert! They are indeed made by Cornell : Dubilier (sorry I forgot to mention that). My father is the one who : procured them nearly 10 years ago. They do not have the date they were : created on them. He stored them in my garage and has not taken : responsibility for them. : Recently I began packing up to move and found them again. : I have had several people make offers to buy them. One person asked $300 : per capacitor! I don't want to sell them if they are harmful, though. : : Thank you again for giving me such extensive information. I will see : where in my city I can take them to dispose of them. : I am located in Santa Cruz, California. : : : Thanks for all your help! : -Kalle :
Hi Kalle,
As long as the capacitors are intact, they are not a hazard. They could become a problem if the insulator seal fails or if the case is breached. They can even be used for their intended purpose subject to some restrictions. The following information may also help:
Regulations for capacitors in California state: "Large PCB Capacitors (containing 1.36 kg or more of dielectric fluid) that are located in restricted areas (either a restricted-access electrical substation or a contained and restricted- access indoor installation) may continue to be used for their remaining lives. Large PCB Capacitors that are not located in restricted areas are prohibited. All small capacitors may continue to be used for their remaining lives.
No routine inspection requirements apply to capacitors unless they are stored for disposal, but it is good practice to inspect them annually for leaks.
Most capacitors cannot be sampled for analysis of PCB concentration. In most cases, the presence of PCBs can be determined directly from information on the capacitor or from the manufacturer. (All capacitors are assumed to contain PCBs unless the label or nameplate information, manufacturer's literature, or chemical analysis states that the capacitor does not contain PCBs.) The Environmental Staff can assist in this identification."
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