Safe working conditions
Employees performing operations and testing work in high voltage laboratory are exposed to a greater hazard than most other employees. Safety rules MUST NOT be seen as a means of limiting our freedom, but should rather be looked upon as valuable advice to ensure safe working conditions.
7 golden rules to remember ALWAYS
Just to mention that there are many other safety rules to be followed. These are just the basics and I think some of the most important.
If you have some rule(s) to add, please leave the comment below ;)
Rule no. 1
Sufficient clearances must be provided to prevent unplanned flashovers.
Rule no. 2
Suitable barriers must be provided.
Rule no. 3
A suitable earth plane must be provided as safety earth and reference point for measurements. It is not advisable to try to separate earths. In measuring circuits, such as voltage dividers and the Schering bridge, a bolted connection to earth is required.
If this connection is broken, the full voltage appears across the break. Protective spark gaps and overvoltage limiting devices can be used.
Rule no. 4
Any object in the laboratory should be either well connected to earth potential or at high voltage. “Floating” objects cause problems.
Rule no. 5
Suitable interlocks that switch off the power on opening must be provided on doors and gates leading to live areas.
Rule no. 6
A suitable earth stick must be provided to earth any piece of equipment before touching. The rule is not to become part of a circuit. Special care should be taken with circuits having capacitors – especially with DC.
Rule no. 7
A person must NEVER work alone in a high voltage laboratory: double check and cross-check.