EN
35
Operating manual
ARCPULL 350
Translation of the original
instructions
All welders should use the following procedures to minimise their exposure to electromagnetic fields coming from the welding circuit:
• Position the welding cables together and secure them with a clamp, if possible.
• Position yourself (head and torso) as far away from the welding circuit as possible.
• Never wrap the welding cables around your body.
• Do not position your body between the welding cables. • Keep both welding cables on the same side of your body.
• Connect the return cable to the workpiece as close as possible to the area to be welded.
• Do not work next to, sit on or lean against the source of welding current.
• Do not carry out welding when moving the source of the welding current or the wire-feed reel.
Those with pacemakers should consult a physician before using this equipment.
Exposure to electromagnetic fields during the welding process may have other health effects that are not yet known.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ASSESSING THE WELDING AREA AND FACILITIES
General information
The user is responsible for setting up and using the arc-welding equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If electromagnetic interference
is detected, it is the responsibility of the person using the arc-welding equipment to resolve the situation together with the manufacturer’s technical
assistance. In some cases, this corrective action may be as simple as earthing the welding circuit. In other cases, an electromagnetic shield may
need to be constructed around the source of the welding current and the entire workpiece along with fitting input filters. In each case, electromagnetic
interference should be reduced until it is no longer a concern.
Assessing the welding area
Before setting up arc-welding equipment, the user should assess the surrounding area for potential electromagnetic problems. The following should
be taken into account:
(a) Whether other power, control, signal and/or telephone cables are located above, below or next to the arc-welding equipment
(b) radio and television receivers and transmitters
(c) computers and other control equipment
(d) safety-critical equipment, e.g., to protect industrial equipment
(e) the health of nearby persons, e.g. those using pacemakers or hearing aids
(f) calibration or measurement equipment
(g) the immunity of other equipment in the vicinity
The user must ensure that other equipment used in the surrounding area is compatible. This may require additional protective measures:
(h) the time of day when welding or other activities are carried out
The size of the surrounding area to be taken into account depends on the structure of the building and the other activities taking place there. The
surrounding area may extend beyond the boundaries of the premises.
Assessing the welding equipment
In addition to assessing the area, evaluating the arc-welding equipment can identify and resolve cases of interference. The evaluation of emissions
should include in situ measurements as specified in Article 10 of CISPR 11. In situ measurements can also be used to confirm whether the mitigation
measures taken are effective.
GUIDELINES FOR REDUCING ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
a. Public power supply network:
Arc-welding equipment should be connected to the public power supply network according to the manufacturer’s
recommendations. If interference does occur, it may be necessary to take additional preventive measures, such as filtering the public power supply.
For permanently installed arc-welding equipment, consider shielding the power cable in metal tube or something similar. It is important to ensure
that the shielding is electrically continuous along its entire length. The shielding should be connected to the source of welding current to ensure good
electrical contact between the tube and the source of the welding current’s casing.
b. Maintaining arc-welding equipment:
Arc-welding equipment should be subject to routine maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer. All
access points, service doors and covers should be closed and properly locked when the arc-welding equipment is in use. The arc-welding equipment
should not be modified in any way, except for the modifications and adjustments mentioned in the manufacturer’s instructions. In particular, the ignition
device’s and arc stabiliser’s spark gap should be adjusted and maintained as recommended by the manufacturer.
c. Welding cables:
Cables should be as short as possible and placed close together either near the ground or on the ground.
d. Equipotential bonding:
Consider linking together all the metal objects in the surrounding area. However, metal objects connected to the workpiece
increase the risk of the operator getting an electric shock if they touch both these metal parts and the electrode at the same time. The operator should
be isolated from such metal objects.
e. Earthing the workpiece:
When the workpiece is not earthed for electrical safety reasons or because of its size and location, for example on a ship’s
hulls or a building’s structural steelwork, an earthed connection may reduce emissions in some cases but not always. Care should be taken to avoid
earthing parts which could increase the risk of injury to users or damage other electrical equipment. If necessary, the workpiece’s earth connection
should be made directly but in some countries, where this direct connection is not allowed, the connection should be made with a suitable capacitor
chosen according to national regulations.
f. Covering and shielding:
Selectively covering and shielding other cables and equipment in the surrounding area can limit interference problems.
Shielding the entire welding area can be an option for special arc-welding applications.