Thermal Dynamics PCH-100XL, Instruction Manual

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Date: May 1, 2000 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
SECTION 1:
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.01 Notes, Cautions and Warnings
Throughout this manual, notes, cautions, and warnings
are used to highlight important information. These high-
lights are categorized as follows:
NOTE
An operation, procedure, or background informa-
tion which requires additional emphasis or is help-
ful in efficient operation of the system.
CAUTION
A procedure which, if not properly followed, may
cause damage to the equipment.
WARNING
A procedure which, if not properly followed, may
cause injury to the operator or others in the oper-
ating area.
1.02 Important Safety Precautions
WARNINGS
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF
PLASMA ARC EQUIPMENT CAN BE DAN-
GEROUS AND HAZARDOUS TO YOUR
HEALTH.
Plasma arc cutting produces intense electric and
magnetic emissions that may interfere with the
proper function of cardiac pacemakers, hearing
aids, or other electronic health equipment. Per-
sons who work near plasma arc cutting applica-
tions should consult their medical health profes-
sional and the manufacturer of the health
equipment to determine whether a hazard exists.
To prevent possible injury, read, understand and
follow all warnings, safety precautions and in-
structions before using the equipment. Call 1-603-
298-5711 or your local distributor if you have any
questions.
GASES AND FUMES
Gases and fumes produced during the plasma cutting
process can be dangerous and hazardous to your health.
• Keep all fumes and gases from the breathing area.
Keep your head out of the welding fume plume.
• Use an air-supplied respirator if ventilation is not
adequate to remove all fumes and gases.
• The kinds of fumes and gases from the plasma arc
depend on the kind of metal being used, coatings
on the metal, and the different processes. You must
be very careful when cutting or welding any met-
als which may contain one or more of the follow-
ing:
Antimony Chromium Mercury
Arsenic Cobalt Nickel
Barium Copper Selenium
Beryllium Lead Silver
Cadmium Manganese Vanadium
• Always read the Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS) that should be supplied with the material
you are using. These MSDSs will give you the in-
formation regarding the kind and amount of fumes
and gases that may be dangerous to your health.
• For information on how to test for fumes and gases
in your workplace, refer to item 1 in Subsection 1.03,
Publications in this manual.
• Use special equipment, such as water or down draft
cutting tables, to capture fumes and gases.
• Do not use the plasma torch in an area where com-
bustible or explosive gases or materials are located.
• Phosgene, a toxic gas, is generated from the vapors
of chlorinated solvents and cleansers. Remove all
sources of these vapors.
• This product, when used for welding or cutting,
produces fumes or gases which contain chemicals
known to the State of California to cause birth de-
fects and, in some cases, cancer. (California Health
& Safety Code Sec. 25249.5 et seq.)
ELECTRIC SHOCK
Electric Shock can injure or kill. The plasma arc process
uses and produces high voltage electrical energy. This
electric energy can cause severe or fatal shock to the op-
erator or others in the workplace.
• Never touch any parts that are electrically “live”
or “hot.”