Safety Flashcards
Foundation licenses need to have an appreciatation of
- The dangers of High voltages
- The risk of electrocution
- Risk of RF induction heating on Metal Rings, Watches
- Potential of RF burns
- Hearing damage from excessive Headphone use
Electrical wiring
Items ought to be earthed and radio shacks ought to be protected by RCD Earth trips
Only items which have double insulation need not be earthed
Have single well marked off switch for all power
If you are a rescuer do not touch a casulity unless you sure power us off, else you will becoming a casualty, yourself.
Safety Earthing
Ensure shack equipment is run from a commons mains earth to prevent earth loops
Use filtered mains boards and ferritite rings correctly
Modern gas and water pipes give high resistance earths
Beware of some House Earths floating above Earth potential
Do not mix:
- Mains Earth (For safety) with..
- RF Earths (For antennas)
In any case mains earths are electrically noisy
Be aware that modern electrical house wiring may employ protecting multiple Earthing (PME)
It is extremely important to check if this applied to your situation
Special care is needed on Earthing arrangment to avoid risks in PME fauly situations - An RSGB PME leaflet is availiable
Details can be sought from the electrical supply company - seek specialist/qualified advice!
Flex Colours
•Flex Colours:- Live=Brown, Neutral=Blue, Earth=Green/Yellow
Avoid whiskers, trapped wires and ensure that cord grips are secure but don’t pierce the insulation
Fuses are to protect the equipment. Low power devices must be correcrtly fused at 3A or 5A - not always 13 AMP
Faults arn’t always short. A fault may not blow a large fuse but may overheat a flex and cause overheating and fires
Be alert for frating or damaging insulations on main leads.
Indoors
•Shack Tidiness: Avoid trailing mains leads on the shack floor
- Trip Hazards!
- Headphones: Be aware that excessive use to pick out weak signals from background noise can damage hearing
- Allow time for Power Supplies to fully discharge after switching off [ALLOW TIME FOR POWERR SUPPLIES FOR FULLY DISCHARGE AFTR SWITCHING OFF]
•Lightning - Disconnect your Antennas!
- protect your radios from static charges
Ladders - Take care when erectin atennas
Lightening - high antennas may need special protection
Antenna elements should not be toiuched when transmitted and should be mounted to avoid accidental conctact
Keep clear of overhead power lines and snagging or coupling in to telephone lines
Feeders/antennas must be soundly fixed in case of being accidentlly being pulled, high winds, icing and bird strikes.
