Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Insulating Liquids
by Gas Chromatography1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4059; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method describes a quantitative determination
of the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in
electrical insulating liquids by gas chromatography. It also
applies to the determination of PCB present in mixtures known
as askarels, used as electrical insulating liquids.

1.2 The PCB mixtures known as Aroclors2 were used in the
formulation of the PCB-containing askarels manufactured in
the United States. This test method may be applied to the
determination of PCBs in insulating liquids contaminated by
either individual Aroclors or mixtures of Aroclors. This technique may not be applicable to the determination of PCBs from
other sources of contamination.

1.3 The precision and bias of this test method have been
established only for PCB concentrations in electrical insulating
mineral oils and silicones. The use of this test method has not
been demonstrated for all insulating fluids. Some insulating
liquids, such as halogenated hydrocarbons, interfere with the
detection of PCBs and cannot be tested without pretreatment.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 923 Test Method for Sampling Electrical Insulating Liquids3
D 2233 Specification for Chlorinated Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Askarels) for Capacitors3
D 2283 Specification for Chlorinated Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Askarels) for Transformers3
D 3534 Test Method for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
in Water4

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