Hypertherm 80669C Rev.2 - Manual (Page 7)

Safety and Compliance SC-7
English
Safety
ELECTRIC SHOCK CAN KILL
Touching live electrical parts can cause a fatal shock or severe burn.
• Operating the plasma system completes an electrical circuit
between the torch and the workpiece. The workpiece and anything
touching the workpiece are part of the electrical circuit.
• In machine torch applications, never touch the torch body,
workpiece, or water in a water table when the plasma system is
operating.
Electric shock prevention
All plasma systems use high voltage in the cutting process
(200 to 400 VDC are common). Take the following
precautions when operating this system:
• Wear insulated gloves and boots, and keep your body and clothing
dry.
• Do not stand, sit, or lie on – or touch – any wet surface when using
the plasma system.
• Insulate yourself from the work and ground using dry insulating
mats or covers big enough to prevent any physical contact with the
work or ground. If you must cut in or near a damp area, use
extreme caution.
• Provide a disconnect switch close to the power supply with
properly sized fuses. This switch allows the operator to turn off the
power supply quickly in an emergency situation.
• When using a water table, make sure that it is correctly connected
to an earth ground.
• Install and ground this equipment according to the instruction
manual and in accordance with national and local regulations.
• Inspect the input power cord frequently for damage or cracking
of the cover. Replace a damaged power cord immediately.
Bare wiring can kill.
• Inspect and replace any worn or damaged torch leads.
• Do not pick up the workpiece, including the waste cutoff, while you
cut. Leave the workpiece in place or on the workbench with the
work lead attached during the cutting process.
• Before checking, cleaning, or changing torch parts, disconnect the
main power or unplug the power supply.
• Never bypass or shortcut the safety interlocks.
• Before removing any power supply or system enclosure cover,
disconnect electrical input power. Wait 5 minutes after
disconnecting the main power to allow capacitors to discharge.
• Never operate the plasma system unless the power supply covers
are in place. Exposed power supply connections present a severe
electrical hazard.
• When making input connections, attach a proper grounding
conductor first.
• Each plasma system is designed to be used only with specific
torches. Do not substitute other torches, which could overheat and
present a safety hazard.
CUTTING CAN CAUSE FIRE OR EXPLOSION
Fire prevention
• Make sure the cutting area is safe before doing any cutting. Keep a
fire extinguisher nearby.
• Remove all flammables within 35 feet (10 m) of the cutting area.
• Quench hot metal or allow it to cool before handling or before
letting it touch combustible materials.
• Never cut containers with potentially flammable materials inside –
they must be emptied and properly cleaned first.
• Ventilate potentially flammable atmospheres before cutting.
• When cutting with oxygen as the plasma gas, an exhaust ventilation
system is required.
Explosion prevention
• Do not use the plasma system if explosive dust or vapors may be
present.
• Do not cut pressurized cylinders, pipes, or any closed containers.
• Do not cut containers that have held combustible materials.
WARNING
Explosion Hazard
Argon-Hydrogen and Methane
Hydrogen and methane are flammable gases that present an
explosion hazard. Keep flames away from cylinders and hoses that
contain methane or hydrogen mixtures. Keep flames and sparks away
from the torch when using methane or argon-hydrogen plasma.
WARNING
Hydrogen Detonation with
Aluminum Cutting
• Do not cut aluminum underwater or with water touching the
underside of the aluminum.
• Cutting aluminum underwater or with the water touching the
underside of the aluminum can result in an explosive condition that
can detonate during plasma cutting operations.
WARNING
Explosion Hazard
Underwater Cutting with Fuel Gases
• Do not cut underwater with fuel gases containing hydrogen.
• Cutting underwater with fuel gases containing hydrogen can
result in an explosive condition that can detonate during plasma
cutting operations.