Electric Shock Potential; Capacitor Electrolyte - Honda FCX Emergency Response Manual

Potential Hazards
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Electric Shock Potential

Unprotected contact with any electrically charged
or "hot" high-voltage component can cause serious
injury or death. However, receiving an electric
shock is highly unlikely due to these facts:
• Contact with high-voltage components inside the
power control unit, the fuel cell box, or the
capacitor module can occur only if these units
are damaged and someone deliberately touches
the contents, or if any of these units are opened
without following the proper precautions.
• Contact with the propulsion motor or air
compressor motor can occur only after one or
more components are removed.
• Contact with "hot" high-voltage cables can
occur only if the protective orange plastic
covering is ripped open and someone
deliberately contacts both the positive and
negative wires.
• All high-voltage cables are clearly identifiable
by their orange plastic covering.

Capacitor Electrolyte

Small quantities of organic electrolyte are used in
the manufacture of the capacitor cells. Unlike the
acid electrolyte used in the conventional 12-volt
battery, capacitor electrolyte would cause only
minor irritation. In addition, the only way someone
could contact the electrolyte would be if the
capacitor module were severely damaged and that
person deliberately touched the cells without
wearing protection.