Lucent Technologies Victory Class Batteries WP-93936
4 - 4 Safety
Issue 1 May 2000
Electrical
Hazard
Batteries differ from other sources of power in that they are delivered
to the points of installation as energized units. A battery gives no
indication by its appearance of the potential energy stored in it.
Batteries have enormous short circuit capability that can result in
serious burns or create dangerous projectiles from the object causing
the short circuit. Even a single battery poses a potentially high energy
hazard if shorted. Shorting a battery may result in explosion of the
battery, injury to personnel, and damage to equipment. A tool or other
metal object causing the short may be thrown or vaporized due to the
energy produced by the battery or system.
• Exercise extreme care to avoid any short circuits across the battery
terminals.
• In a grounded battery system, use extreme care not to short any
metal objects from the ungrounded battery terminal to ground
(which can include the equipment metal chassis, building structure,
cable racks, etc.).
• If Victory Class cells are used on metal stands, install
nonconducting mats between the battery and the shelf.
WARNING
ELECTRICAL HAZARD
In addition to proper job training and safety procedures, the
following are some basic precautions that should always be
followed when working with or around batteries (including
equipment connected to batteries):
• Always use insulated tools.
• Never place uninsulated metal objects on top of a battery.
• Remove all metal jewelry, such as rings, watches, bracelets,
necklaces, and other metallic items.
• Do not short circuit the battery.
• Ensure proper polarity when making connections.
• Wear non-conductive eye protection.
• Remove items that could fall out of clothing pockets.
• Personnel with implanted electronic medical devices need to be
aware of their restrictions when working around electricity.
