Electronics/Mechatronics Lab: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox HostedArea | {{Infobox HostedArea | ||
| image = Equipment-no-photo.jpg | | image = Equipment-no-photo.jpg | ||
| areaname = Electronics | | areaname = Electronics/ Mechatronics | ||
| hostedsince = | | hostedsince = 2012 | ||
| location = | | location = upstairs and to your right, when entering from the front door | ||
| toolcategory = [[:Category:Electronics_Equipment]] | | toolcategory = [[:Category:Electronics_Equipment]] | ||
| hostname = Anna Yu | | hostname = Anna Yu | ||
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| hostother = | | hostother = | ||
| hosthours = | | hosthours = | ||
| hostcerts = | | hostcerts = non | ||
}} | }} | ||
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==Safety== | ==Safety== | ||
'''Electrical Hazards''' | |||
Electricity carries two main dangers: Shock and Fire. | |||
Causes of Electrical Fire | |||
If you | Fire can be caused by: | ||
• overloaded wiring, as in the case of a too-small extension cord overheating from excessive load. If in designing a circuit, you are unsure of the proper wire diameter to use for a given amperage load. | |||
• dirty, loose, or undersized connectors carrying heavy current | |||
• arcing when an electrical supply is partially short circuited | |||
• insulation breakdown from excessive voltage (dielectric puncture) | |||
• component failure due to parts being operated outside of their capabilities | |||
• All of these issues are matters of technique. | |||
Possible Effects of Electric Shock | |||
• Electric shock can stop your heart if the current path from the hot conductor to the ground conductor crosses your chest. | |||
• If sufficient current flows through body tissue, it will heat very rapidly, causing internal and external burn. | |||
• The powerful stimulation of muscles by shock produces sudden, uncontrolled, and forceful body movements which can cause you to hit yourself, hit someone else, throw any objects which may be in your hand, or fall down and hit your head. It can also cause your grip to latch on the wire which is delivering the shock. This means you can't let go of the wire. If someone is unfortunate enough to get into this situation, either a bystander will have to shut of the power or try to use a non-metallic object (like a broom handle) to knock the person's hand off the wire. The strength and speed of the muscle action is almost superhuman. It is also uniquely painful. | |||
Things You Should and Should Not Do to Avoid Electric Shock | |||
• Always cover your 110 Volt power connections. Use wire-nuts or electrical tape, not masking tape or Scotch™ tape. | |||
• Disconnect the power before opening an electrical chassis | |||
• When working on circuits operating above 50 volts, keep one hand in your pocket. This reduces the chance of an accidental electrical pathway being formed across your heart. | |||
• Know where the disconnect or power plug is for your piece. | |||
• Don't use power cords as a “handle” to pick up things. | |||
• Use insulated tools when working with electricity. (Almost all of our tools have insulated handles). | |||
• Don't put your hands into circuitry if you can't see what you're doing (e.g. in the dark). | |||
• Keep water and other liquids out of your work area. Don't try to use electricity in wet locations. | |||
• Don't allow yourself to become grounded (e.g. by touching metal fixtures) while handling potentials above 50 volts. | |||
• Before you power up your circuit for the first time, have your instructor check it. | |||
• Consumer grade 2-conductor extension cords are not to be brought into the lab. Don't overload extension cords. Use good quality 3-prong cords only. | |||
==Tools Available== | ==Tools Available== | ||
