
5300.9677.72 - 1.8 - EN-4
Chapter 1 Safety
4.1.4 Opening the Transmitter
If the transmitter is to be opened for mechanical and/or electrical work (such as cleaning,
repairs etc) the transmitter must be disconnected from the AC supply. In the case of low
power transmitters this is done by switching off and withdrawing the power plug.
In transmitters that are hardwired to the AC supply, the five basic rules for working on
electrotechnical equipment must be observed without fail:
– Disconnect the transmitter from the power supply
– Secure it against inadvertent switch-on
– Check voltage to ensure that the equipment is de-energized
– Ground or short-circuit the equipment1
– Place a cover on all adjacent live circuits.
Disconnecting transmitter systems from the power supply
Check the present status of all circuits in a transmitter system. Disconnect adjacent cir-
cuits from the AC supply as well, so as to prevent harm if they are touched accidentally.
Also isolate the antenna connector or connect it to a dummy antenna. Otherwise RF en-
ergy could inadvertently be fed back from other operating transmitters in a transmitter
system via RF switches or RF combiners while work is in progress.
It is absolutely forbidden to open a transmitter that has not been isolated from the AC
supply without having taken proper steps to prevent accidental contact with live electri-
cal circuits.
Because of the risks associated with touching live components, it is forbidden to operate
the equipment with its doors open, or when front panels or plug-in modules have been
removed, etc.
While the transmitter is being operated live for the purpose of internal measurements or
repairs, the workplace must be labeled to show a warning about the imminent risks in
accordance with the basic rules of electrical engineering.
Take suitable precautions to prevent unauthorized access to the area.
When the work has been completed, the transmitter must be closed and the manufac-
turer's safety measures relating to the protection against accidental contact must be re-
stored. The functionality of protective devices (e.g. interlocks) must be checked
immediately.
4.2 Hazards from High Energy Circuits
The equipment includes low-voltage circuits that may be fed from a power supply having
extremely low impedance (e.g. amplifier operating voltages). These circuits carry danger-
ously high levels of energy. At Rohde & Schwarz we treat these circuits as constituting a
shock hazard. For safety reasons therefore, there are no accessible high energy circuits in
the user area of the transmitter.
If the cabinet of an operating transmitter is opened, there is a risk of short-circuiting both
voltage terminals of a low-impedance, extra-low voltage circuit. The short circuit gives rise
to an electric arc which can cause burns, flash burns to the eyes (snow blindness) and fur-
ther injuries due to the reaction of the affected person to shock.
1 Transmitters have no built-in grounding or short-circuit switches. Equally safe and reliable steps must be taken
at the technician's discretion.