Electromagnetic Compatibility - Firepower MST 180i Operating Manual

3.05 Electromagnetic Compatibility

Extra precautions for Electromagnetic
Compatibility may be required when this Welding
Power Source is used in a domestic situation.
A. Installation and Use - Users Responsibility
The user is responsible for installing and using the
welding equipment according to the manufacturer's
instructions. If electromagnetic disturbances are
detected then it shall be the responsibility of the user of
the welding equipment to resolve the situation with the
technical assistance of the manufacturer. In some cases
this remedial action may be as simple as earthing the
welding circuit, see NOTE below. In other cases it could
involve constructing an electromagnetic screen enclosing
the Welding Power Source and the work, complete with
associated input filters. In all cases, electromagnetic
disturbances shall be reduced to the point where they
are no longer troublesome.
The welding circuit may or may not be earthed
for safety reasons. Changing the earthing
arrangements should only be authorized by a
person who is competent to assess whether the
changes will increase the risk of injury, e.g. by
allowing parallel welding current return paths
which may damage the earth circuits of other
equipment. Further guidance is given in EN
60974-13 Arc Welding Equipment - Installation
and use (under preparation).
B. Assessment of Area
Before installing welding equipment, the user shall make
an assessment of potential electromagnetic problems in
the surrounding area. The following shall be taken into
account
1. Other supply cables, control cables, signaling and
telephone cables; above, below and adjacent to the
welding equipment.
2. Radio and television transmitters and receivers.
3. Computer and other control equipment.
4. Safety critical equipment, e.g. guarding of industrial
equipment.
5. The health of people around, e.g. the use of
pacemakers and hearing aids.
6. Equipment used for calibration and measurement.
Manual 0-5339
WARNING
NOTE
7. The time of day that welding or other activities are to
be carried out.
8. The immunity of other equipment in the environment:
the user shall ensure that other equipment being used
in the environment is compatible: this may require
additional protection measures.
The size of the surrounding area to be considered will
depend on the structure of the building and other activities
that are taking place. The surrounding area may extend
beyond the boundaries of the premises.
C. Methods of Reducing Electromagnetic Emissions
1. Electricity Supply
Welding equipment should be connected to the
Electricity Supply according to the manufacturer's
recommendations. If interference occurs, it may
be necessary to take additional precautions such
as filtering of the Electricity Supply. Consideration
should be given to shielding the supply cable of
permanently installed welding equipment in metallic
conduit or equivalent. Shielding should be electrically
continuous throughout it's length. The shielding
should be connected to the Welding Power Source
so that good electrical contact is maintained between
the conduit and the Welding Power Source enclosure.
2. Maintenance of Welding Equipment
The welding equipment should be routinely
maintained according to the manufacturer's
recommendations. All access and service doors
and covers should be closed and properly fastened
when the welding equipment is in operation. The
welding equipment should not be modified in any way
except for those changes and adjustments covered
in the manufacturer's instructions. In particular, the
spark gaps of arc striking and stabilizing devices
should be adjusted and maintained according to the
manufacturer's recommendations.
3. Welding Cables
The welding cables should be kept as short as
possible and should be positioned close together,
running at or close to the floor level.
4. Equipotential Bonding
Bonding of all metallic components in the welding
installation and adjacent to it should be considered.
However. Metallic components bonded to the work
piece will increase the risk that the operator could
receive a shock by touching the metallic components
and the electrode at the same time. The operator
should be insulated from all such bonded metallic
components.
3-3
Firepower MST 180i
INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND SETUP