General Lab Safety

  1. Food and Drinks are not permitted anywhere in this lab.

  2. The equipment in this lab is capable of causing serious injury, if used improperly.

  3. Keep as many of your belongings as possible at the computer tables or by the door, minimize the amount of equipment you use at the experimental benches.

  4. There can be as many as four electrical sources on the equipment benches.

  5. The external ac supply to the benches is at 115V 1ph and 208V 3ph.

  6. The machines on the bench are capable of generating in excess of 350V dc and 230V 3ph.

  7. The external supplies to the bench are connected through circuit breakers (15A single phase, 50A three phase) and through fuses in the bench equipment. In the unlikely event of a short circuit, these supplies should be interrupted by the circuit protection equipment.

  8. The locally generated voltages are not protected. If you short circuit the output of a generated voltage, current will continue to flow. Possible outcomes include damaged equipment, electrical shock and electrical fire.

  9. To understand the impact of electrical currents on the body, consider the diagram in Fig. 1-1. It should be apparent that one must always exercise caution when working with electrical equipment.

Electrical Safety

  1. Only apply power to a circuit after a lab instructor or TA has checked and approved your circuit.

  2. Before working on a circuit:

    • always de-energize the bench.

    • ensure that the machines have stopped.

    • and use a meter to test that the bench is de-energized.

  3. Never rely on safety devices such circuit breakers to protect you.

    • Circuit breakers are a last resort, and may fail. You should always practice safe working habits.

  4. Keep your lab bench organized and uncluttered.

  5. Do not simultaneously disconnect both ends of a connection.

  6. Take care when connecting circuits, always use the appropriate wires for your connection.

    • The banana plugs can only handle currents up to 10 A.

    • Spade connectors can only conduct currents up to 25 A.

    • Copper straps should be used for short connections where no current measurement is needed.

  7. Exercise care when using copper straps or spade connectors.

    • Copper is exposed at the ends of these connectors. It is possible to touch a live circuit at this point.

  8. Do not lean on any equipment that has electrical connections.

    • Especially do not lean or place equipment on load boxes.

  9. Be careful to check that multimeters are set as ammeters for current measurement and voltmeters for voltage measurement.

    • Placing and ammeter in a circuit is equivalent to placing a short circuit. Make sure that meter leads are plugged into the correct sockets before placing a meter in the circuit.

Mechanical Safety

  1. Loose clothing should not be worn to the labs.

    • When in the lab make sure that your shoelaces are fastened.

  2. Leave all backpacks, purses etc. at the computer benches.

  3. Never touch the machines when they are energized.

    • Be sure not to rest your feet on the equipment.

  4. Loose jewellery such as bracelets, long necklaces etc. should be covered and secured, preferably removed.

  5. Ties should not be worn in this lab.

  6. Long hair should be tied back or covered.