Power sources for TIG welding and associated pieces of equipment, such as 'add-on' units, welding torches, leads and connectors all require electricity to operate. Power sources may be AC/DC or DC, operate from a three-phase supply, from industrial single-phase supply or even from a 13amp domestic power supply, and may be designed to operate with a high open circuit voltage (OCV).
Primary and secondary connections should be completed by competent persons.
It should always be remembered that electric shock can kill.
Due to the potential severity of the hazard, the following is a guide on what to do before any TIG welding is started to reduce the risk of an electrical accident:
- Only qualified personnel should be allowed to install TIG equipment.
- The equipment must be tested to ensure it is operating correctly and safely before being put into service.
During welding the possibility of electric shock is one of the most serious risks encountered by a welder.
The following point provides a guide on what to do to reduce the risks:
- Welders should not remove panels from a welding power source if it stops working correctly. Touching a lead inside the welding set with the power still on can result in a serious primary voltage shock.
The following practice will help prevent electrical accidents:
- When welding is temporarily interrupted welding torches should be placed where they are safe and the switch cannot be activated accidentally.