When designing & making, it's important to know if there are any hazards involved. For example, these may be due to the materials, components, tools, or pieces of equipment you intend to use. Considering the hazards is part of a "Risk Assessment". Its purpose is to allow you to take the necessary steps to reduce the hazards and minimise any of the associated risks to a safer and acceptable level. As we are working with electrical power it is important to know what levels are safe: Voltages under 50 volts are generally considered low risk and used in many portable products. Similar to hand-held torches, TrackLayer projects operate from two 1.5-volt batteries connected in series (giving a total of 3-volts). FastTrack and OnTrack projects operate from single 9-volt batteries. Although these voltages are safe; it is important to use your common sense when doing practical tasks. Having an alert attitude will also help you have greater success & enjoyment in your project work...
Tips To Working Safely
1, Lower voltages can still cause sparks, or heat to build up through short-circuits or other faults. This could result in the breakup of wires or components - possibly leading to fire or burns. - Sparks/Heat -
2, Water is a conductor of electricity and spillages can inadvertently bring you into contact with high voltages from the mains power supply. - Water/Liquids -
• Keep electrically-powered mains equipment (such as soldering irons or power supplies) away from water or any liquid. • Use an RCD circuit breaker on the mains cable. It will shut off the power supply in a fraction of a second should a small earth leakage current be detected. • Do not work with wet hands.
3, Soldering irons operate at over 200° Centigrade. They create fumes and can cause burns if not held by the handle or used carefully.
• Wear safety glasses to prevent the possibility of hot molten solder accidentally entering your eyes. • Use a soldering iron with a Silicone cable as it will resist damage to the cable if it is touched by the hot iron tip. • Use a de-soldering tool when attempting to remove a misplaced or damaged component from a circuit board.
4, Batteries and some electronic components contain chemicals which are toxic. - Toxic Chemicals - • Check component data sheets to find out if any of the components you are using are constructed from hazardous materials. Health and Safety COSHH regulations say this information has to be provided by law. If it is hazardous - find an alternative if possible. • Dispose of your old, or damaged batteries and components by recycling, rather than putting them in the general waste. • Reduce the number of batteries you use by buying rechargeable types.
Safety In The Workplace
• It is important for workshops to have safety equipment at hand - such as a nonconducting dry powder fire extinguisher and a fully-equipped first-aid kit.
• Due to the repeated use of equipment, it is important to routinely check that portable mains devices do not have frayed or damaged cables. This is part of the PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) that has to be carried out to comply with the law. The test also checks devices are properly wired/earthed and protected with the correct fuse so they are safe to use. Safety and Mains Power
In the last section: "10 - Chargers & Adapters", we will see how mains chargers and adapters convert the power from 13 amp mains sockets to levels suitable for charging devices with rechargeable batteries, or for powering products with lower voltage circuits.
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