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User manual
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) can interfere with some medical implants, such as pacemakers. Protective measures must be taken for people with
medical implants. For example, restricted access for passers-by or an individual risk assessment for welding professionals.
All welders must carry out the following procedures to minimise exposure to electromagnetic fields from the welding circuit:
• position the welding cables together and secure them with a clamp, if possible
• position yourself (head and torso) as far away from the welding circuit as possible
• never wrap the welding cables around your body
• do not position your body between the welding cables • keep both welding cables on the same side of your body
• connect the return cable to the workpiece as close as possible to the area to be welded
• do not work next to, sit on or lean against the welding power source
• do not weld when transporting the welding power source or the wire-feed reel
Those with pacemakers should consult a physician before using this equipment.
Exposure to electromagnetic fields during the welding process may have other health effects that are not yet known.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVALUATING THE WELDING AREA AND SET UP
General Information
The user is responsible for setting up and using the arc-welding equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. If electromagnetic interference
is detected, it is the arc-welding equipment user's responsibility to resolve the situation with the manufacturer's technical assistance. In some cases,
this corrective action may be as simple as earthing the welding circuit. In other cases, an electromagnetic shield may need to be constructed around
the welding power source as well as the entire workpiece with input filters installed. In all instances, electromagnetic interference should be reduced
until it is no longer a concern.
Assessing the Welding Area
Before setting up arc-welding equipment, the user must assess the potential electromagnetic issues in the surrounding area. The following should be
taken into account:
(a) the presence of other power, control, signal and telephone cables either above, below or next to the arc-welding equipment
(b) radio and television receivers and transmitters
(c) computers and other control equipment
(d) safety-critical equipment, such as industrial equipment safeguarding
(e) the health of people nearby, for example, those with pacemakers or hearing aids
(f) the calibration or measurement equipment used
(g) the immunity of other equipment located nearby
The user must verify that the other equipment used in the surrounding environment is compatible. This may require additional protective measures:
(h) the time of day when welding or other activities are to be carried out
The size of the surrounding area to be taken into account depends on the structure of the building and other activities taking place there. The
surrounding area may extend beyond the facility's boundaries.
Assessing the Welding Equipment
In addition to assessing the surrounding area, the arc-welding equipment can also be assessed to identify and resolve instances of disturbance. The
emissions assessment should include in situ readings as specified in Article 10 of CISPR 11. In situ readings can also be used to confirm whether the
mitigation measures are effective.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON METHODS FOR REDUCING ELECTROMAGNETIC EMISSIONS
a. Public power supply network: Arc-welding equipment should be connected to the public power supply following the manufacturer's
recommendations. If interference occurs, it may be necessary to take additional preventive measures such as filtering the public power supply.
Consider shielding the power cable within a metal conduit or equivalent for permanently set up arc-welding equipment. The shielding must be
electrically continuous along its entire length. The shielding should be connected to the welding power source to ensure good electrical contact
between the conduit and the welding power source's casing.
b. Maintaining arc-welding equipment: Arc-welding equipment must undergo routine maintenance according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
All accesses, service doors and covers should be closed and properly locked when the arc-welding equipment is in use. The arc-welding equipment
must not be modified in any way, except for those modifications and adjustments specified in the manufacturer's instructions. In particular, the arc
ignition and stabiliser's spark gap must be adjusted and maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
c. Welding cables: The welding cables should be as short as possible and placed close together near or on the ground.
d. Equipotential bonding: Consider linking together all metal objects in the surrounding area. However, metal objects connected to the workpiece
will increase the risk of electric shocks to the user if they touch both the metal objects and the electrode. Therefore, the operator must be isolated
from such metal objects.
e. Earthing the workpiece: Where the part to be welded is not earthed for electrical safety reasons or because of its size and location, e.g. a ship's
hulls or a building's structural steel framework, an earthed connection can, in some cases but not always, reduce emissions. Care should be taken
to avoid earthing parts which could increase the risk of injury to users or damage to other electrical equipment. If necessary, the workpiece's earth
connection should be made directly. However, in certain countries where this direct connection is prohibited, the connection should be made with a
suitable capacitor chosen in accordance with national regulations.
f. Protective and shielding measures: Selectively protecting and shielding other cables and equipment in the surrounding area can limit interference
issues. Protecting the entire welding area could be an option for special applications.
TRANSPORTING AND MOVING THE WELDING MACHINE
The welding power source is equipped with a top handle allowing it to be carried by hand. Be careful not to underestimate the
weight of the machine. The handle is not intended as a means of hoisting or suspending the machine.
Translation of the original
instructions
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