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Carbon Tetrachloride liquid fuses

  • Carbon Tetrachloride liquid fuses

    Posted by Marty Fox on 29 June 2021 at 12:57 pm

    Electra has become aware of ground mount distribution transformers on its network protected with HV liquid fuses, assumed to be filled with Carbon Tetrachloride (or ‘Carbon tet’) to extinguish a fault arc.

    With Carbon Tetrachloride being classed as a probable carcinogen and recorded as acutely toxic, Electra is looking to introduce controls over the handling of these fuses (intact or activated) including disposal processes.

    We would greatly appreciate any advice from other EDBs that have encountered these fuses on their network on what controls or processes were put in place (if any) for their handling, and what failure methods have been identified for these fuses (ie low fluid levels potentially leading to explosion when clearing a fault?).

    Marty Fox replied 3 years, 4 months ago 4 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • Stephen Small

    Member
    29 June 2021 at 2:46 pm

    Hi Marty

    It might be worth noting that Carbon Tetrachloride used for fire suppression is usually called ‘Halon’.

    The documentation with the fuses might not mention ‘Carbon tet’.

    Cheers

    Stephen.

    • Marty Fox

      Member
      29 June 2021 at 3:03 pm

      Thanks Stephen, according to my information Halon used in fire suppression is Bromotrifluoromethane, non toxic but not great for the ozone layer. I couldn’t find any reference to Carbon tet being the same. Cheers.

  • Kevin Foster

    Member
    29 June 2021 at 3:26 pm

    Marty,

    Thanks for the heads up, as a result of this we have identified one set associated with a 725 Hz 11 kV ripple
    injection plant that is currently out of service. We have also identified a quantity held in stores.

    We are currently investigating the safe removal and disposal process. Will share any info we find before doing anything with them.

    • Marty Fox

      Member
      30 June 2021 at 7:17 am

      Thanks Kevin

  • Stephen Small

    Member
    30 June 2021 at 12:12 pm

    Hi Marty

    I should have been more specific in my first reply

    I was involved in a project to remove fixed fire suppression systems (as they could asphyxiate workers when set off) and “Halon 104” was definitely Carbon Tetrachloride – I remember that generic ‘Halon’ covered many chemicals, but the majority were Bromotrifluoromethane or derivates as you have noted. ?

    • Marty Fox

      Member
      6 July 2021 at 3:08 pm

      Thanks for that, I learn something new every day!

  • Bill Doig

    Member
    30 June 2021 at 3:06 pm

    Search Quenchol liquid fuses and you may find something useful on Google Marty. We got rid of our years ago. Disposal means? Who knows.

    • Marty Fox

      Member
      6 July 2021 at 3:07 pm

      Thanks Bill

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