RE: X-ray Power Supplies (fwd)

[<sroys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 2004 07:06:04 -0700
From: BrianB <brianb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: 'High Voltage list' <hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: X-ray Power Supplies (fwd)

Let me add one thing to Dr. R's post.

The EPA coming after you is not an urban legend. I personally know a
list member who had the EPA come after him (he wants to remain anonymous
for obvious reasons).

What happened was the EPA decided that this list members recent E-Bay
purchase (which was in his possession) most likely contained PCB's and
they gave him 30-days to prove it or be fined $10,000.00 They also said
if he failed to respond they would come to the location where the item
was received (his house) and inspect and catalog everything at his cost.


Final outcome - This turned into a paperwork and legal nightmare not to
mention a financial drain. Ultimately the item (which was never proven
to have PCB's) was sent to a disposal site and he spent a lot of money
in addition to the hefty disposal fees.

Brian B.



-----Original Message-----
From: High Voltage list [mailto:hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2004 10:37 PM
To: hvlist
Subject: Re: X-ray Power Supplies (fwd)

Original poster: <sroys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2004 14:15:48 -0500
From: Dr. Resonance <resonance@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: High Voltage list <hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: X-ray Power Supplies (fwd)



Caution:

Many of these old X-ray sets contain xmfr oil with PCBs.  That's why
they
are "given away".  The oil disposal would cost approx $1,500 plus
shipping
to a disposal plant which uses a very high temp incinerator.

If the EPA finds out you have it, and it does contain PCB, they will
order
you to dispose of the oil or else pay a $10K fine if they have to come
and
get it.  Either way, if it's PCB, you lose.

Dr. Resonance

>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 19:42:01 EDT
> From: Mddeming@xxxxxxx
> To: hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: X-ray Power Supplies (fwd)
>
> In a message dated 9/23/04 6:16:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 16:48:20 -0500
> From: Carl Litton <Carl_Litton@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: High Voltage list <hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: X-ray Power Supplies
>
>
>
> We just acquired a donation today of what I am told by the owner of
the
> x-ray repair shop is the power supply to an old 'Frankenstein' era
x-ray
> machine containing a large transformer and a capacitor that reportedly
> hold a very large charge for a couple of days -- all covered in oil.
>
> It is an olive drab steel box 2' cubic weighing a little less than
> 200lbs. with 2 large holes in the top looking down into some clear oil
> and submerged metal.  Large cables come out of the top.  220 VAC input
> to primary and spec. plate reads that secondary output is 120 KVP
> (assuming that to be Kilovolts Peak) at a current of 330 m.a.
>
> Now, I need to know about such devices as this is seriously beyond my
> little (relatively) 39 lb. 15 kV NST's  and appears that it could
> actually be dangerous ;).
>
> Anyone with experience on hi-powered x-ray transformers  - would you
> please direct us to any articles or information on care and feeding of
> such a device and caveats about any salient differences one encounters
> with this type of power supply compared to the usual MOTs, NSTs,
> ignition coils, etc.
>
> [I'm sure more folks will add their thoughts, but XRay transformers
are DC
> devices and will kill you very quickly.  100kVDC is nothing to be
> careless with - your first mistake could very well be your last.  As
> Richard hull would suggest, make sure you always have a friend there
with
> a long 2x4 to push your body off the terminals and put the fires out
(with
> a non-H2O based fire extinguisher!)  SRR]
>
> Carl Litton
> Hilton Hotels Corporation
> 901
> Hi Carl,
>     If your interest is in really understanding how these monsters
worked
and
> were used, I would recommend "The Fundamentals of X-Ray and Radium
Physics,
> 6th ed." by J. Selman, M.D. publ. by Charles C.Thomas, Springfield,
IL,
1980. .
> Has a good practical section on HV power supplies. Used copies sell
for
about
> $5-$7 on Alibris. Older copies (4th ed.1967)discuss 120kV vacuum tube
> rectifiers, mechanical rectification etc.
>
> Hope this helps,
> Matt D.
>
>
>