Handbook of Electrical Installation Practice - BeKnowledge

Power Factor Correction and Tariffs 659
New Regulations – The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated
Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2000 – came into force on
4 May 2000. These regulations required the following action:
(1) Registration by 31 July 2000 if holding any PCB impregnated equipment
(2) Disposal of any PCB contaminated equipment above 500ppm by 31 December
2000
(3) Disposal of any PCB contaminated equipment 500ppm to 50ppm at the end of
its useful life
(4) Reregistration each year by 31 July for PCB holdings until all holdings have
been disposed of
(5) Disposal of all PCBs by 1 January 2008.
The Environment Agency was to publish its enforcement policy but at the time of
writing this has not happened. The problem with capacitors is that most users are
unaware that they have equipment containing PCB and an awareness campaign is
required if all PCB equipment is to be disposed of by 2008.
It is important both from an economic point of view and in order to comply
with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, that capacitor installations are checked
periodically.