Electrical Safety in the Laboratory

Joshua D. Horvath Andrew J. Gellman

Carnegie Mellon University Department of Chemical Engineering February 18, 2003

Accidents
Electrical shock from laser power supply Electrical shock from electrophoresis power supply

Introduction
Relationship between power, current, voltage and resistance:

V I R P I V
P I R
2
P = power (watts) I = current (amperes) V = voltage (volts) R = resistance (ohms) Example:
Heating tape uses 5 amps at 120 volts. Power dissipated by this device is 600 watts.

AC vs. DC Electricity
Direct current (DC)
2

Potential (volts)

-1

300

600

900

Time

Alternating current (AC)

Electrical Components
Capacitors

Resistors

Integrated circuits

Measuring Voltage

Connect Probe

Connect Probe

+ 5V -

Safety Devices
High Voltage Probe
Connects to normal multimeter. Reduces voltage by factor of 1000. Should only be used with training or assistance. Dangerous if used improperly. You could be KILLED.

Measuring Current (DC)

Connect Probe

Connect Probe

+ 5V -

Safety Devices
Clamp-on Ammeter
Measures AC current through a single conductor. Does not work for DC current. If both wires (positive and negative) pass through the clamp, no current reading is possible.

Lab Equipment
Power requirements (input)
Equipment
PC Monitor Turbopump

Volts Amps Watts

120 120 120 6.0 1.5 4.0 720 180 480

Cryopump

240

12.0
6.92 5.0 14.0

2,880
830 600 1680

Heating tape (big) 120 FT-IR Heat gun 120 120

Lethal Electricity
Chart below assumes 1 second hand to foot exposure to 120 volt, 60 cycle AC power supply.

Current
1 mA 5 mA 6-30 mA 50-150 mA

Reaction
Perception Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing Painful shock; "let-go" range Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular contraction Cardiac arrest, severe burns and probable death

1,000-4,300 mA Ventricular fibrillation 10,000+ mA

Laboratory wall outlets provide 20,000 mA !!

Safety Devices
Fuses
Protect electrical wiring from carrying too much current. Protect malfunctioning equipment from drawing too much current.

New fuse

Blown fuse

Conductor melts if too much current flows through fuse. Can only be used once. Always use the correct fuse.

Safety Devices
Circuit Breakers
Protect electrical wiring from carrying too much current. Mechanical switch is driven by an electromagnet. Can only be reset many times.

Safety Devices
Circuit Breakers (in action)

Safety Devices
Circuit Breakers
How much equipment can one 20A circuit breaker handle? Not enough to bake an entire vacuum chamber.

Device
Heat tape (1 inch by 8 feet) Heat tape (1 inch by 8 feet) Heat tape (1/2 inch by 5 feet) Heat tape (1/2 inch by 10 feet)

Current
6.92 A 6.92 A 2.58 A 4.33 A

Infrared lamp (inside chamber)

Total

2.75 A
23.5 A

Safety Devices
Circuit Breakers
One circuit breaker may cover many electrical receptacles in a lab. Receptacles in some labs are labeled with a number that corresponds to a circuit breaker.

Preventing Accidents
Avoid contact with energized circuits. Disconnect the power source before servicing or repairing electrical equipment. Work with only one hand, keeping the other hand behind you or in a pocket. If water or a chemical is spilled onto equipment, shut off power at the main switch or circuit breaker and unplug the equipment. If an individual comes in contact with a live electrical conductor, do not touch the equipment, cord or person. Disconnect the power source from the circuit breaker or pull out the plug using a leather belt .

Preventing Accidents
Extension Cords
Do not plug one extension cord into another extension cord. Do not exceed safety ratings. If cord is warm to touch, it is probably overloaded.
0-5 5-7 7-12 12-16 16-20

Amperage Cord length (feet) 25 50 75 100 150 200

Wire gauges 18 18 16 14 12 12 18 16 14 12 12 10 16 14 12 10 14 12 10 12 10

Sizes smaller than wire gauge 10 are not normally available as flexible wire.

Preventing Accidents
Electrical Fires

Unplug equipment first. Use dry chemical fire extinguisher. If fire is large, unplug equipment and call fire dept. Never use water!!

Conclusions
Be careful with electricity. Ask someone for help if you are unsure.