Safety Considerations

High voltage

High currentPOWER SUPPLIES can cause burns or start fires even at low voltages

MAINS VOLTAGE is potentially lethal

Repairs

HIGH POWERED TRANSMITTERS also have lethal voltages inside

BATTERIES can also supply enough current to make wires red hot

Rings and watches must be removed before dealing with high voltages and currentsRepairs should only be undertaken by a suitably qualified technician

quite small currents can kill!

One hand should be kept in a pocket to avoid current passing through the chest

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Mains plugs & earths

A correctly wired plug

THE MAINS EARTH is intended to protect you under fault conditions

You are not expected to be able fit a plug until

Switch off the mains supply before touchingAccidents & Emergencies

reproduced from the RSGB publication 'Foundation Licence Now!'

A FUSE of the right rating fitted in a plug is a vital part of the protection system.PROTECTIVE MULTIPLE EARTHING (PME)

to recognise when it is safely fitted with thecorrectly rated fuse installed.

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shock and could still be touching a live wire!they may have suffered an electric

the Intermediate exam. It is useful to be able

The casualty!

Antennas & feeders

even if they are insulated!

FEEDERS must be:

ANTENNAS must be:

Routed to avoid being trip hazards

Fixed securely enough to survive gale force wind conditionsLocated where they can't be reached and won't be walked into

Out of reach if unscreened to avoid RF BURNS

Far enough away to avoid contact with overhead power lines

WORKING AT HEIGHTSErecting antennas must never be attempted alone

Hard hats should be worn by people on the ground

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At least one adult should be in attendance preferably twoOne person should “foot” the ladder to prevent it slipping

from the RSGB publication 'Amateur Radio Exam Secrets'

The ladder should be placed at the correct angle

from the RSGB publication 'Intermediate Licence Building on the Foundation'

from the RSGB publication 'Intermediate Licence Building on the Foundation'

from the RSGB publication 'Intermediate Licence Building on the Foundation'

Never lean out when on a ladder!

4:1

Car batteriesAre designed to supply very high currents sufficient to melt heavy gauge wires!Charging them causes the release of hydrogen

which can be explosive in an enclosed space!They also contain a very corrosive acid

spills and splashes can cause serious injury and damage!

HeadphonesWearing headphones carries risk:

Long periods of high listening levels can in time result in permanent hearing loss When servicing equipment could lead to electric shockIf you walk away with them on equipment could be dragged off the work surface

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Consider using the safer sealed batteries instead

Other hazardsThe shack can contain a number of other potential risks:Tools often have very sharp edges causing cuts

Cables trailing onto and across the floor are trip hazards

from the RSGB publication “Foundation Licence Now!”

Soldering irons get very hot and can cause severe burnsMost tools can cause injury when used incorrectly

Cables running under carpets can become fire hazards

Remember - most hazards can be avoided by thinking and planning ahead

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Revision questions

from the RSGB publication “Foundation Licence Now!”

What colour is the neutral wire in a mains pluggreen/yellow, blue or brown?

What's wrong here?

Why must unscreened feeder be out of reach?RF burns are possible even if wires are insulated.

The person footing the ladder could be in danger of serious head injury if something is dropped from the top of the ladder. Hard hat is essential!

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from the RSGB publication 'Amateur Radio Exam Secrets'