What Should Companies Do with Scrap Copper Transformers?
What Should Companies Do with Scrap Copper Transformers?
Even though companies do not need to replace their transformers that often, there will come a time when companies will need to dispose of their scrap transformers. Transformers last between 30 to 50 years, so companies will not need to worry about this too often, but when they do it is smart to have a plan.
A transformer is an electrical device consisting of two or more coils of wire used to transfer electrical energy by means of a changing magnetic field. It may seem challenging to find a way to dispose of scrap transformers, but the process is quite easy with Interco. In fact, the company recycles copper and aluminum transformers.
How do you tell if Scrap Transformers have stopped working?
First, you will need to determine if your company needs to replace the transformer. There are a few ways to check to see if a transformer has gone bad:
- Perform a visual inspection. Common things you will see if a transformer has gone bad is bulges or burn marks. If you see this, then you do not need to test it, it needs to be replaced!
- Check the schematic circuit. When you look at a schematic, you can see how all the parts of the circuit are connected. You can check to make sure everything is connected.
- Find the input and output. You can easily tell if a transformer has gone bad if the output is not the same as the input.
- Check the voltage. You can check the voltage by checking the top center tap. If there is power going to the unit, check for a bad connection from the power connection block to the unit itself.
- Inspect the meter. If your meter does not show any voltage, then the problem likely lies with the unit itself and will need to be replaced.
- Evaluate the power. A bad transformer will have weak or no power. A simple way to check the power is to turn the unit off and on again.
- No voltage. If there is no power, there may be no voltage at all. You can quickly determine if voltage is the issue, by checking the voltage points. If there is no voltage or weak voltage, the problem may have some root causes. One could be the control board.
It is important to recycle transformers because they pose a significant threat to the environment and the people living in the surrounding area if they end up in landfills. They could possibly leak in landfills and affect the drinking water, which would cause more problems.
Why are Scrap Transformers considered toxic?
Transformers are considered toxic because they contain the chemical polychlorinated biphenyls. In fact, this is a manmade chemical that manufacturers use to protect the coils inside transformers from overheating.
If this chemical leaks into a landfill, then it would negatively affect the environment and the people living in the surrounding area. In fact, this chemical is known to cause extreme health problems in humans. For example:
- Melanomas
- Liver cancer
- Gall bladder cancer
- Biliary tract cancer
- Gastrointestinal tract cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
Companies that choose to recycle their scrap transformers, are doing their part to help reduce landfills, overall pollution, and the use of raw materials. Working with a recycling center, like Interco, makes recycling scrap transformers easy.
About Interco
Interco is a global recycling company providing metals, computers and electronics recycling services to industrial, dealer, and government organizations throughout the western hemisphere. The facility has a 145,000 sqft. processing plant committed to the processing of computers, electronics, and batteries with the remainder of the indoor facility used for the processing of nonferrous industrial metals.
The facility has five buildings — approximately 400,000 square feet total — on more than 35 acres. In fact, the company facility has more than 20 inbound and outbound docks for receiving and shipping nonferrous scrap material as well as a railroad rail spur to load rail cars.
Moreover, the company is within proximity to four major interstates (I-44, I-55, I-64, and I-70) while centrally located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri in Madison, Illinois. The company offers a convenient delivery location as the facility is near four major interstates (I-44, I-55, I-64, and I-70) that intersect all of the Midwest and Central USA.
Companies Should Recycle Scrap Copper Transformers with Interco
Overall, companies will eventually need to replace their old transformers. In fact, the best option for companies is to recycle them. Working with a recycling center, like Interco, makes this process extremely easy. With a staff of 100 employees, the company receives, processes, upgrades, repackages and ships approximately 15,000 tons of material monthly. To learn more, click here.