X­Ray Laboratory

ELECTRICAL  SAFETY  AND  PROCEDURE  IN  X-RAY  LABORATORY 

Last updated 27/5/2002 Huub Driessen
Seen and endorsed by Prof. J. Goodfellow, Head of School of Crystallography

X­Ray Laboratory Index Safety Index

This document is applicable to Room L/K (B039/B041)

Sections of this document


HIGH VOLTAGE: WARNING

High voltage (40,000-50,000V) is required to generate X­rays. These voltages are obtained in the X­ray Laboratory by transforming up 3-phase 415V. In principle the X­ray installations can therefore deliver dangerously high voltages, so that exposure to the terminals etc. must be avoided. In addition there are electrical hazards in the cabinet containing the controls and power supplies for the cooling plant room.

The avoidance of high voltage exposure relies on engineering controls including shielding, mechanical and electrical interlocking together with earthing the anode, combined with administrative controls including safety devices, safety warnings and safe procedures.

ENGINEERING CONTROLS

  1. The generators have been designed such that the high voltages inside are not accessible to the user, as the panel doors are kept closed and interlocked with the power supply.
  2. The cabinets containing the room power supplies and cooling plant controls and power supplies are kept locked, so that the voltages inside are not accessible to the user.
  3. The anode of the generator is connected to earth.

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS

Warning Signs

A warning sign is present at the entry to the X­ray Laboratory.

Safe Working Practices

  1. Do not attempt to gain access to areas behind panels on any piece of equipment or cabinet.
  2. In case of electrical maintenance with exposed high voltage terminals (240V or more), part of the room will be inaccessible. This will be indicated by the above electrical hazard warning sign and its associated yellow/black hazard warning tape, which must not be passed.

Emergency Procedure

  1. If anyone is suffering an electric shock, do not touch the person, or you will suffer an electric shock as well. Use the isolators to terminate the current, and then seek immediate emergency assistance, ring 555. It is your duty to report this to staff immediately and not that of someone else. If outside hours e-mail "xray", and affix a message to the doors.

  2. The isolator on the wall inside the enclosure will switch off the generator.

  3. The isolator on the wall outside the enclosure will switch off the generator.

STAFF

X­Ray Laboratory Index Safety Index
Copyright © 1995-2002 Birkbeck College