10.1 Safety Systems
10.1.1 Introduction
Many of the tests available with the AT series testers are capable of
generating dangerously high voltages, which could cause operator injury
unless proper safety precautions are taken.
With this in mind, the rear panel of the AT3600 and some AT accessories
have been designed with a safety interlock connector, which is described
in the user manual of those products.
Unless the three safety interlock signals on this connector are properly
made, the tester will not generate any dangerous voltages.
It is possible for you to use your tester without connecting the safety
interlocks; but you will then be restricted to only ‘low voltage’ tests.
If you wish to make full use of your tester and use any test that can
generate high voltages, including
- Magnetizing Current
- Open Circuit Voltage
- Insulation Resistance
- Hi-Pot (DC)
- Wattage
- Hi-Pot (AC)
- Surge Stress Test
- Hi-Pot Ramp (AC)
- Hi-Pot Ramp (DC)
then you must have a safety system operating the safety interlocks.
Note: Dangerous voltages may also be produced when testing transformers
and inductors in the presence of a dc bias current. Sudden removal of the
dc current will generate high voltages across the part under test.
The details of any particular safety system installation could vary
depending on where the tester is being used. In a robotic production line,
for example, the tester could be located in an enclosed area, and the
safety switches could be mounted in the door.
With manual production, the safety system could be based on a physical
barrier, for example, a ‘lid’ fitted with safety interlock switches.
However, the requirement to open and close such a barrier will give a
slower speed of test, and often the reduced production throughput that
follows from this may not be acceptable.