All welders should take the following precautions in order to minimise exposure to the electromagnetic fields (EMF)
generated by the welding circuit:
• position the welding cables together – if possible, attach them;
• keep your head and torso as far as possible from the welding circuit;
• never enroll the cables around your body;
• never position your body between the welding cables. Hold both welding cables on the same side of your body;
• connect the earth clamp as close as possible to the area being welded;
• do not work too close to, do not lean and do not sit on the welding machine
• do not weld when you're carrying the welding machine or its wire feeder.
People wearing pacemakers are advised to consult their doctor before using this device.
Exposure to electromagnetic fields while welding may have other health effects which are not yet
known.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO ASSESS THE WELDING AREA AND WELDING INSTALLATION
Overview
The user is responsible for installing and using the arc welding equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions. If electromagnetic disturbances are detected, it is the responsibility of the user of the arc welding equipment
to resolve the situation with the manufacturer's technical assistance. In some cases, this remedial action may be as
simple as earthing the welding circuit. In other cases, it may be necessary to construct an electromagnetic shield around
the welding power source and around the entire piece by fitting input filters. In all cases, electromagnetic interferences
must be reduced until they are no longer bothersome.
Welding area assessment
Before installing the machine, the user must evaluate the possible electromagnetic problems that may arise in the area
where the installation is planned.
. In particular, it should consider the following:
a) the presence of other power cables (power supply cables, telephone cables, command cable, etc...)above, below and
on the sides of the arc welding machine.
b) television transmitters and receivers ;
c) computers and other hardware;
d) critical safety equipment such as industrial machine protections;
e) the health and safety of the people in the area such as people with pacemakers or hearing aids;
f) calibration and measuring equipment
g)The isolation of the equipment from other machinery.
The user will have to make sure that the devices and equipments that are in the same room are compatible with each
other. This may require extra precautions;
h) make sure of the exact hour when the welding and/or other operations will take place.
The surface of the area to be considered around the device depends on the the building's structure and other activities
that take place there. The area taken in consideration can be larger than the limits determined by the companies.
Welding area assessment
Besides the welding area, the assessment of the arc welding systems intallation itself can be used to identify and resolve
cases of disturbances. The assessment of emissions must include in situ measurements as specified in Article 10 of
CISPR 11: 2009. In situ measurements can also be used to confirm the effectiveness of mitigation measures.
RECOMMENDATION ON METHODS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC EMISSIONS REDUCTION
a. National power grid: The arc welding machine must be connected to the national power grid in accordance with
the manufacturer's recommendation. If interferences occur, it may be necessary to take additional preventive measures
such as the filtering of the power suplly network. Consideration should be given to shielding the power supply cable in a
metal conduit. It is necessary to ensure the shielding's electrical continuity along the cable's entire length. The shielding
should be connected to the welding current's source to ensure good electrical contact between the conduct and the
casing of the welding current source.
b. Maintenance of the arc welding equipment: The arc welding machine should be be submitted to a routine
maintenance check according to the manufacturer's recommendations. All accesses, service doors and covers should be
closed and properly locked when the arc welding equipment is on.. The arc welding equipment must not be modified
in any way, except for the changes and settings outlined in the manufacturer's instructions. The spark gap of the arc
start and arc stabilization devices must be adjusted and maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
c. Welding cables: Cables must be as short as possible, close to each other and close to the ground, if not on the
ground.
d. Electrical bonding : consideration shoud be given to bonding all metal objects in the surrounding area. However,
metal objects connected to the workpiece increase the riskof electric shock if the operator touches both these metal
elements and the electrode. It is necessary to insulate the operator from such metal objects.
NOVOMIG 110
EN
11