Touching live electrical parts can cause a fatal shock
or severe burn.
• Operating the plasma system completes an
electrical circuit between the torch and the
workpiece. The workpiece and anything touching
the workpiece are part of the electrical circuit.
• Never touch the torch body, workpiece or the water
in a water table when the plasma system is
operating.
Electric Shock Prevention
All Hypertherm plasma systems use high voltage
in the cutting process (200 to 400 VDC are
common). Take the following precautions when
operating this system:
• Wear insulated gloves and boots, and keep your
body and clothing dry.
• Do not stand, sit or lie on – or touch – any wet
surface when using the plasma system.
• Insulate yourself from work and ground using dry
insulating mats or covers big enough to prevent any
physical contact with the work or ground. If you must
work in or near a damp area, use extreme caution.
• Provide a disconnect switch close to the power
supply with properly sized fuses. This switch allows
the operator to turn off the power supply quickly in
an emergency situation.
• When using a water table, be sure that it is correctly
connected to earth ground.
ELECTRIC SHOCK CAN KILL
• Install and ground this equipment according to the
instruction manual and in accordance with national
and local codes.
• Inspect the input power cord frequently for damage
or cracking of the cover. Replace a damaged power
cord immediately. Bare wiring can kill.
• Inspect and replace any worn or damaged torch
leads.
• Do not pick up the workpiece, including the waste
cutoff, while you cut. Leave the workpiece in place
or on the workbench with the work cable attached
during the cutting process.
• Before checking, cleaning or changing torch parts,
disconnect the main power or unplug the power
supply.
• Never bypass or shortcut the safety interlocks.
• Before removing any power supply or system
enclosure cover, disconnect electrical input power.
Wait 5 minutes after disconnecting the main power
to allow capacitors to discharge.
• Never operate the plasma system unless the power
supply covers are in place. Exposed power supply
connections present a severe electrical hazard.
• When making input connections, attach proper
grounding conductor first.
• Each Hypertherm plasma system is designed to be
used only with specific Hypertherm torches. Do not
substitute other torches which could overheat and
present a safety hazard.
Cutting can produce toxic fumes and gases that
deplete oxygen and cause injury or death.
• Keep the cutting area well ventilated or use an
approved air-supplied respirator.
• Do not cut in locations near degreasing, cleaning or
spraying operations. The vapors from certain
chlorinated solvents decompose to form phosgene
gas when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
• Do not cut metal coated or containing toxic materi-
als, such as zinc (galvanized), lead, cadmium or
CUTTING CAN PRODUCE TOXIC FUMES
beryllium, unless the area is well ventilated and the
operator wears an air-supplied respirator. The
coatings and any metals containing these elements
can produce toxic fumes when cut.
• Never cut containers with potentially toxic materials
inside – they must be emptied and properly cleaned
first.
• This product, when used for welding or cutting,
produces fumes or gases which contain chemicals
known to the State of California to cause birth
defects and, in some cases, cancer.
HYPERTHERM Plasma Systems
1-3
8-99
SAFETY
