WARNINGS
8
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY (EMC)
ConformanCe
Products displaying the CE mark are in conformity with European Community Council Directive. It was
manufactured in conformity with a national standard that implements a harmonized standard: EN 60974-10
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Product Standard for Arc Welding Equipment. It is for use with other
Lincoln Electric equipment. It is designed for industrial and professional use.
IntroduCtIon
All electrical equipment generates small amounts of electromagnetic emission. Electrical emission may be
transmitted through power lines or radiated through space, similar to a radio transmitter. When emissions are
received by other equipment, electrical interference may result. Electrical emissions may affect many kinds of
electrical equipment; other nearby welding equipment, radio and TV reception, numerical controlled
machines, telephone systems, computers, etc.
WARNING: This Class A equipment is not intended for use in residential locations where the electrical power
is provided by the public low-voltage supply system. There may be potential difficulties in ensuring electro-
magnetic compatibility in those locations, due to conducted as well as radiated disturbances.
INSTALLATION AND USE
The user is responsible for installing and using the welding equipment according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
If electromagnetic disturbances are detected then it shall be the responsibility of the user of the welding
equipment to resolve the situation with the technical assistance of the manufacturer. In some cases this
remedial action may be as simple as earthing (grounding) the welding circuit, see Note. In other cases it could
involve constructing an electromagnetic screen enclosing the power source and the work complete with
associated input filters. In all cases electromagnetic disturbances must be reduced to the point where they
are no longer troublesome.
NOTE: The welding circuit may or may not be earthed for safety reasons. Follow your local and national
standards for installation and use. Changing the earthing arrangements should only be authorized by a person
who is competent to assess whether the changes will increase the risk of injury, e.g., by allowing parallel
welding current return paths which may damage the earth circuits of other equipment.
ASSESSMENT OF AREA
Before installing welding equipment the user shall make an assessment of potential electromagnetic
problems in the surrounding area. The following shall be taken into account:
a) other supply cables, control cables, signaling and telephone cables; above, below and adjacent to the
welding equipment;
b) radio and television transmitters and receivers;
c) computer and other control equipment;
d) safety critical equipment, e.g., guarding of industrial equipment;
e) the health of the people around, e.g., the use of pacemakers and hearing aids;
f) equipment used for calibration or measurement;
g) the immunity of other equipment in the environment. The user shall ensure that other equipment being
used in the environment is compatible. This may require additional protection measures;
h) the time of day that welding or other activities are to be carried out.
The size of the surrounding area to be considered will depend on the structure of the building and other
activities that are taking place. The surrounding area may extend beyond the boundaries
of the premises.
METHODS OF REDUCING EMISSIONS
Public Supply System
Welding equipment should be connected to the public supply system according to the manufacturer’s recom-
mendations. If interference occurs, it may be necessary to take additional precautions such as filtering of the
system. Consideration should be given to shielding the supply cable of permanently installed welding
equipment, in metallic conduit or equivalent. Shielding should be electrically continuous throughout its length.
The shielding should be
connected to the welding power source so that good electrical contact is maintained between the conduit and
the welding power source enclosure.
maintenanceof theWelding equipment
The welding equipment should be routinely maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. All
access and service doors and covers should be closed and properly fastened when the welding equipment is
in operation. The welding equipment should not be modified in any way except for those changes and
adjustments covered in the manufacturer’s instructions. In particular, the spark gaps of arc striking and
stabilizing devices should be adjusted and maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Welding Cables
The welding cables should be kept as short as possible and should be positioned close together, running at or
close to the floor level.
equipotential Bonding
Bonding of all metallic components in the welding installation and adjacent to it should be considered.
However, metallic components bonded to the work piece will increase the risk that the operator could receive
a shock by touching these metallic components and the electrode at the same time. The operator should be
insulated from all such bonded metallic components.
earthing of theWorkpiece
Where the workpiece is not bonded to earth for electrical safety, nor connected to earth because of its size
and position, e.g., ship’s hull or building steelwork, a connection bonding the workpiece to earth may reduce
emissions in some, but not all instances. Care should be taken to prevent the earthing of the workpiece
increasing the risk of injury to users, or damage to other electrical equipment. Where necessary, the
connection of the workpiece to earth should be made by a direct connection to the workpiece, but in some
countries where direct connection is not permitted, the bonding should be achieved by suitable capacitance,
selected according to national regulations.
Screening and Shielding
Selective screening and shielding of other cables and equipment in the surrounding area may alleviate
problems of interference. Screening of the entire welding installation may be considered for special appli-
cations. 1
1 Portions of the preceding text are contained in EN 60974-10 “Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) product standard for arc
welding equipment.”