Can anyone point me in the direction of some current information
relating to the phenomenon of Green Goo (di-isoctyl phthalate) from
electrical cable/fittings?

For those who are not familiar, it is a green substance which oozes
from electrical fittings and caused by reaction of PVC compound used
in cables from mid 1960's to early 70's.

I'm looking for something authoritative - I believe there used to be
something by NICEIC, but I can't seem to find anything on their site

cheers

dg

On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:24:41 -0700, dg wrote:

For those who are not familiar, it is a green substance which oozes
from electrical fittings and caused by reaction of PVC compound used
in cables from mid 1960's to early 70's.

I'm looking for something authoritative - I believe there used to be
something by NICEIC, but I can't seem to find anything on their site

The following statements were attributed to the IEE or NICEIC by the
people who posted them:-

Attributed to NICEIC:-

"Green goo is a phenomena sometimes encountered in electrical
installations constructed in the late 1960s.

Unsightly green slime can occur in switch and socket-outlet boxes. It
is understood that this phenomenon is most prevalent where pvc cables
manufactured between 1965 and 1971 have been used.
The green slime, or green goo, is degraded di-isoctyl phthalate and
is considered to result from a chemical reaction between the
plasticiser of the insulation and the copper conductor in the pvc
cable. Between 1965 and 1971 the temperature performance of pvc was
uprated by the inclusion of an anti-oxidant into the pvc compound. An
unappreciated side effect was that the anti-oxidant encouraged
production of the exudate.

There is evidence to suggest that high ambient temperatures
accelerate the process. The exudate is of low flammability and low
toxicity. Although unsightly, it does not reduce the electrical
integrity of the conductor or the insulation. However, the exudate
may have detrimental effects on both accessories (in appearance and
functionality terms) and their surrounding decorative finishes."

Attributed to IEE:-

"It is most prevalent in cables made between 1965 and 1971. The gunge
is degraded di-isoctyl phthalate and is the result of the reaction
between the plasticiser in the insulation and the copper. Between
1965 and 1971 the temperature performance of PVC was uprated by the
inclusion of an anti-oxidant in to the PVC. An unappreciated side
effect was that the anti-oxidant encouraged the production of
exudate.

Evidence suggests that high ambient temperatures accelerate the
process. The exudate is of low flammability and low toxicity.
Although unsightly it does not reduce the electrical integrity of the
conductor or the insulation.

Green exudate from PVC

Draft BCA statement (April 2001)

1) PVC

PVC comes in two main grades, plasticised and unplasticised PVC.

Unplasticised PVC (UPVC) is used for example in double glazing window
frames where a rigid material is required.

The PVC used for manufacture of cables is a plasticised PVC that
conforms to the relevant British Standard for the cable type in
question.

2) Ageing effects

As a cable ages; (at temperatures above normal ambient), the
elongation to break decreases (also the Insulation Resistance
increases). The life expectancy of a cable is arbitrarily considered
to be when the elongation to break of the PVC is 50%.
A lower elongation to break value could be considered suitable
especially for a fixed wiring cable. Therefore, providing the cable
is not subject to movement or when moved due to inspection of socket
outlet or the like, the PVC does not crack, a much lower value of
elongation to break is considered by some as suitable.

3) Greening

Greening is the appearance of a wet green substance that is a product
of an adverse reaction between certain types of plasticiser and the
copper conductors. This greening, which is a rare occurrence, can
happen either after a long period of time for some cables, or if the
cable has been severely overheated.
The plasticiser itself is a clear oily liquid that is non conductive.
The green substance is a combination of copper oxide and plasticiser
which may become conductive under certain adverse conditions.

4) Action if Greening is found

Therefore whenever this green substance is found at socket outlets
etc. initially it should be removed and the terminations cleaned
(gloves should be used) otherwise it is possible that
tracking/overheating may occur. It is strongly recommended that
rewiring should be carried out as soon as possible."

Take your pick :-)
--
Peter Parry.
http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/

Peter Parry wrote:

Attributed to IEE:-
snip

That's from an article in a thread in the IEE/IET wiring regs forum,
rather than from the institution itself. The whole thread is he
http://www.theiet.org/Forums/forum/m...&threadid=6741

OTOH the NICEIC seem to have removed almost all the useful content from
their Web site, presumably in the name of marketing.

--
Andy

On 1 Aug, 09:24, dg wrote:

Can anyone point me in the direction of some current information
relating to the phenomenon of Green Goo (di-isoctyl phthalate) from
electrical cable/fittings?

For those who are not familiar, it is a green substance which oozes
from electrical fittings and caused by reaction of PVC compound used
in cables from mid 1960's to early 70's.

I'm looking for something authoritative - I believe there used to be
something by NICEIC, but I can't seem to find anything on their site

cheers

dg


Green exudate can also be caused by dampness in the socket corroding
the copper cable, and this can be confused with the plasticiser issue
mentioned in this thread.


NT

On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:24:41 -0700, dg wrote:


I'm looking for something authoritative - I believe there used to be
something by NICEIC, but I can't seem to find anything on their site

From Australia:-
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/electrica...lime/index.htm

--
Peter Parry.
http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/

In article . com,
writes:

Green exudate can also be caused by dampness in the socket corroding
the copper cable, and this can be confused with the plasticiser issue
mentioned in this thread.

ISTR Dr.Who had a problem with green goo in a mini series
(John Pertwee).

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
...
In article . com,
writes:

Green exudate can also be caused by dampness in the socket corroding
the copper cable, and this can be confused with the plasticiser issue
mentioned in this thread.

ISTR Dr.Who had a problem with green goo in a mini series
(John Pertwee).


As Dr he should have known to go to the GU clinic to get it sorted.

Adam

On 1 Aug, 14:26, Peter Parry wrote:
On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:24:41 -0700, dg wrote:

I'm looking for something authoritative - I believe there used to be
something by NICEIC, but I can't seem to find anything on their site

From Australia:-http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/electricalsafety/publications/alerts/slime...

--
Peter Parry. http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm a bit concerned about that Australian link though ..... especially
after reading the disclaimer, which amongst other things says -

"The department makes no statements, representations, or warranties
about the accuracy or completeness of, and you should not rely on, any
information contained on this site"

lol. What is the point of puting it there then?

dg

On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:32:55 -0700, dg mused:

On 1 Aug, 14:26, Peter Parry wrote:
On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:24:41 -0700, dg wrote:

I'm looking for something authoritative - I believe there used to be
something by NICEIC, but I can't seem to find anything on their site

From Australia:-http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/electricalsafety/publications/alerts/slime...

--
Peter Parry. http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm a bit concerned about that Australian link though ..... especially
after reading the disclaimer, which amongst other things says -

"The department makes no statements, representations, or warranties
about the accuracy or completeness of, and you should not rely on, any
information contained on this site"

lol. What is the point of puting it there then?

Could say the same about the internet and usenet as a whole.
--
Regards,
Stuart.

On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:19:51 +0100, Peter Parry
wrote:

The green substance is a combination of copper oxide and plasticiser
which may become conductive under certain adverse conditions.

Like I'm going to believe that!

It's made of copper, it's bright green, and the only salt involved is
the _oxide_ ? I rather think not. Wear the gloves.

On 1 Aug, 23:16, Andy Dingley wrote:
On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:19:51 +0100, Peter Parry
wrote:

The green substance is a combination of copper oxide and plasticiser
which may become conductive under certain adverse conditions.

Like I'm going to believe that!

It's made of copper, it's bright green, and the only salt involved is
the _oxide_ ? I rather think not. Wear the gloves.

Goos have a habit of trapping dusts, some of which are conductive to
some extent. Hence 'under adverse conditions.'


NT

wrote:
On 1 Aug, 23:16, Andy Dingley wrote:
On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:19:51 +0100, Peter Parry
wrote:

The green substance is a combination of copper oxide and plasticiser
which may become conductive under certain adverse conditions.
Like I'm going to believe that!

It's made of copper, it's bright green, and the only salt involved is
the _oxide_ ? I rather think not. Wear the gloves.

Goos have a habit of trapping dusts, some of which are conductive to
some extent. Hence 'under adverse conditions.'


NT

Copper oxide is black. Its the carbonate thats green.

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Copper oxide is black. Its the carbonate thats green.

Pedant mode
cupric oxide black
cuprous oxide red/orange

PJ wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Copper oxide is black. Its the carbonate thats green.

Pedant mode
cupric oxide black
cuprous oxide red/orange

I thought that was a little too advanced for the chaps..

Any acid will produce various other salts from the basic oxides.

Carbonate is green, sulphate is blue..can't remember what color acetate
is and copper chloride/chlorate is soluble IIRC and washes off..

One of the most useful metals when playing the 'maximum number of
colored stripes in a test tube, using what's in the chem lab' game ...