TEST INSTRUMENT SAFETY
WARNING
Normal use of test equipment exposes you to a certain amount of danger from electrical shock because testing must sometimes be performed where exposed high voltage is present. An electrical shock causing 10 milliamps of current to pass through the heart will stop most human heartbeats. Voltage as low as 35 volts dc or ac rms should be considered dangerous and hazardous since it can produce a lethal current under certain conditions. Higher voltages are even more dangerous. Your normal work habits should include all accepted practices to prevent contact with exposed high voltage, and to steer current away from your heart in case of accidental contact with a high voltage. Observe the following safety precautions:
1.There is little danger of electrical shock from the dc output of this power supply. However, there are several other possible test conditions using this power supply that can create a high voltage shock hazard:
a.If the equipment under test is the “hot chassis” type, a serious shock hazard exists unless the equipment is unplugged (just turning off the equipment does not remove the hazard), or an isolation transformer is used.
b.If the equipment under test is “powered up” (and that equipment uses high voltage in any of its circuits), the power supply outputs may be floated to the potential at the point of connection. Remember that high voltage may appear at unexpected points in defective equipment. Do not float the power supply output to more than 100 volts peak with respect to chassis or earth ground.
c.If the equipment under test is “off” (and that equipment uses high voltage in any of its circuits under normal operation), discharge
2.Use only a polarized
3.Don’t expose high voltage needlessly. Remove housings and covers only when necessary. Turn off equipment while making test connections in
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