High Voltage Safety [RE-wrenches]

[William Miller]

Friends:

I may have mentioned that I work in the communications industry as well as
in power systems.  Our broadcast transmitters have power supplies of 15KV
and higher.  Broadcast engineers usually do not get formal training for
working in this environment.  They can get training tailored to a
particular transmitter (a service I have never heard of an inverter
manufacturer offering).  This training is at their factory and is
expensive.  This training will include some safety procedures.

There are some common sense precautions one can take.  Don't forget, this
equipment is limited to 600 VDC by definition.  Here are some tips:

1. Do not work on high voltage systems alone.  Discuss procedures as a team
before taking action.
2. Design the system so there are disconnects where appropriate to allow
shut off at critical points for maintenance.
3. When working on a series module string, consider making final
connections during non-daylight hours or covering the modules.
4. Have a current CPR certificate.
5. Double check each connection.
6. Install GFI protection.
7. Do not use conductive ladders.
8. Whenever possible (measuring voltages, tightening a connection), keep
one hand behind your back (don't laugh, this is an old timers rule that has
saved lives.  You want to keep any fault current out of your chest area).
9. Bond all equipment carefully.

This is by no means a complete list.  Anyone care to add?

William Miller



At 05:54 PM 5/8/01 -0700, you wrote:
>Bill,
>
>Who is going to train us to work on high voltage
>systems?  Does the CEC have time to conduct workshops
>on this topic?
>
>What kind of things do we need to know about working
>specifically with high voltage dc?
>
>Jerry Caldwell
>
>--- Bill Brooks <billbrooks7 at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 
>> High voltage
>> systems are a new
>> ballgame. If you are not trained to work on these
>> systems, you have no
>> business doing the work. Don't forget that
>> electricity is lethal, and we
>> certainly don't want people getting hurt or worse
>> because they assumed they
>> could work on a system because they know "solar".


__________________________________________________________________
William Miller
SLO Communications: Communications and Power Systems Consulting
PO Box 50, Santa Margarita, CA 93453
Voice :805-438-5600		Fax: 805-438-4607	VMail: 805-546-4875
email: wrmiller at slonet.org
License No. C-10-773985
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