Chapter 1: Safety Considerations
9
In most cases, the TDC5 will power one or both of these outlets when it is first powered up.
Heater Safety
The TDC5 Temperature Controller is often used to control an electrical heating apparatus that is located on or
very near to an electrochemical cell filled with electrolyte. This can represent a significant safety hazard unless
care is taken to insure that the heater has no exposed wires or contacts.
RFI Warning
Your TDC5 Temperature Controller generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy. The radiated
levels are low enough that the TDC5 should present no interference problem in most industrial laboratory
environments. The TDC5 may cause radio-frequency interference if operated in a residential environment.
Electrical Transient Sensitivity
Your TDC5 Temperature Controller was designed to offer reasonable immunity from electrical transients.
However, in severe cases, the TDC5 could malfunction or even suffer damage from electrical transients. If you
are having problems in this regard, the following steps may help:
If the problem is static electricity (sparks are apparent when you touch the TDC5:
Placing your TDC5 on a static control work surface may help. Static-control work surfaces are now generally
available from computer supply houses and electronics tool suppliers. An antistatic floor mat may also help,
particularly if a carpet is involved in generating the static electricity.
Air ionizers or even simple air humidifiers can reduce the voltage available in static discharges.
Warning:
An AC-powered heater connected to a cell containing electrolyte can represent a
significant electrical-shock hazard. Make sure that there are no exposed wires or connections in your heater
circuit. Even cracked insulation can be a real hazard when salt water is spilled on a wire.
Warning:
The switched electrical outlets on the TDC5 rear panel must always be treated as
on whenever the TDC5 is powered. Remove the TDC5 line cord if you must work with a wire in contact
with these outlets. Do not trust that the control signals for these outlets, when off, remains off. Do not
touch any wire connected to these outlets unless the TDC5 line cord has been disconnected.
