Oil Switch

[WFMaz]

I’m working on a very old machine in a machine shop. I’m not exactly sure what the machine does but it has a very large rotating table. They called me after the machine stopped running and they saw smoke coming out of the starter enclosure. I took the cover off to find a rotating switch covered in oil. From what I understand the operator turns the lever to the start position. The motor ramps up to speed and then he turns it to the run position. I was concerned that the oil contains PCB’s. Not knowing anything about this unit I threw in the towel and told them to call someone else. I would attach a photo but I can’t figure out how.
Just to settle my curiosity, what am I dealing with? Thank you.

 

[Jraef]

Sounds like what’s called an oil immersed drum switch, a very old technology so yes, there is a high likelihood that the oil has PCBs. It takes special procedures to properly dispose of it.

That said…
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