7
1.7 Electrical Safety
WARNING!
Avoid contact with an exposed fuel cell stack. Electrical shock can cause personal injury
or death.
• Do not touch fuel cell plates or any electrical components at any time. A running fuel
cell stack is a potential electrical hazard that can cause burns or electrical shock.
• Do not wear metallic jewellery – rings, bracelets, watchbands, or necklaces – when you
are close to an exposed fuel cell stack.
• Minimise static discharge. If possible, ground all equipment.
• Minimise conductivity. Avoid contact with surfaces that are in contact with water or
gases. Do not operate or store in wet or damp conditions.
• Never use damaged extension cords.
The stack generates up to 13 VDC (open circuit voltage). This voltage decreases as
current is drawn from the stack. The stack produces 7.8V at maximum power. This
voltage is exposed at the output power connections. These low voltages may constitute
a shock hazard and can damage electronic components if shorted. Therefore, do not
touch individual fuel cells, cell voltage monitoring equipment or electrical components.
WARNING!
Do not touch fuel cells, cell voltage monitoring equipment or electrical components.
Electronic components can also be damaged as the result of static discharge. To
minimise this, ground all equipment in contact with the stack. Never use damaged
extension cords. Minimise conductivity by avoiding surfaces in contact with water; hands
and clothes must be dry. Do not operate or store the stack in wet or damp conditions.
WARNING!
Minimise static discharge. Ground all equipment. Residual reactants within the stack
can develop a charge in a matter of minutes when turned off. A reading of zero volts
across the entire stack does not guarantee that all fuel cells are uncharged.
WARNING!
Always assume that the fuel cell stack is charged. Jewellery (such as rings, necklaces,
bracelets and watches) may concentrate an electric current when it comes into contact
with charged components, or when a shock passes through the human body.
Accordingly, no jewellery should be worn near the stack.
WARNING!
Do not wear jewellery near the stack.
No pungent odor, paint and perfume are allowed around stack.