PCBs > Overview

A campus power plant contains a variety of electrical equipment used for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, including transformers. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may be found in transformer oil. PCBs can also be present in capacitors, heat transfer systems, hydraulic systems, electromagnets, switches and voltage regulators, circuit breakers, reclosers and cables. PCBs are regulated under the Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000.

Since your campus power plant likely operates and maintains transformers, it is important that you are aware of EP (PCB) Regulation requirements as they relate to PCB-based oil in electrical transformers.

Before you go too far, you might consider identifying the actual owner of your facility's electrical transformer. If it is owned by an entity other than the college or university, such as the electrical company, it is very likely that the responsibility of complying with EP (PCB) does not rest with you. If the transformer is owned by the university or college, however, then the school assumes the responsibility for complying with EP (PCB) . To learn more about EP (PCB) requirements, continue with the EVC.