Module 8

Question 1

What are the dangers of high voltage and high current

What should you take care to do and not do when working with mains powered equipment

Answer 1

High voltage risks electrocution
High current risks overheating and fire

Don’t touch live or neutral wires
Do switch off and unplug equipment before working on it

Question 2

What should you not do if some equipment has a mains earth fitted

Answer 2

Don’t disconnect it as it prevents the metalwork becoming ‘live’ in fault conditions

Question 3

Who should you contact before messing with your house mains earth

Answer 3

Your District Network Operator

Question 4

What are the different coloured wires in a mains plug

What should you check to make sure the plug is safe

Answer 4

Brown = Live (shit yourself if you touch it)
Blue = Neutral (Like me)
Yellow/Green = Earth (Sun/Grass)

Check correct fuse using power equation
Avoid whiskers (stray strands of wire)

Question 5

Whats an RCBO

Whats it good at

Answer 5

Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent protection

Offers better protection than a normal fuse
Detects currents to earth whereas a fuse will only blow when the fault is a short circuit

Question 6

Battery safety tips

Answer 6

Avoid short circuits
Use correct type of charger
Handle with care

Question 7

Shack safety tips

Answer 7

Have a single clearly marked master ‘OFF’ switch
Take care not to damage ears with headphones
Care with trailing or frayed wires

Question 8

Tools and soldering safety tips

Answer 8

Use eye protection
Store with care-use a stand for soldering iron
Ensure soldering station is well ventilated

Question 9

Working at height and with antennas safety tips

Answer 9

Secure your ladder, use 4:1 ratio
Use hard hats, tool belt, ensure someone else is present

Avoid overhead cables and phone lines
Take care with lightning strikes

Question 10

RF Safety tips

Answer 10

Exposure to RF radiation can be dangerous, seek guidance on safe levels
Waveguides are particulary dangerous

Don’t touch an antenna whilst transmitting
Should be positioned so people won’t accidently touch it
Insulated wires can potentially give burns as well
Take care when wearing watches, rings etc

Question 11

Car RF Safety Tips

Answer 11

Can be a distraction, unsecured equipment can cause damage if you stop suddenly