IG7 Page 4
SOME SAFETY NOTES WITH THE IG7
Even though 7.5 kV sounds like a lot of voltage, and it is in relation to most
other circuitry today, it is not necessarily lethal. What is dangerous about high
voltage is the ability of a high voltage source to deliver current, whether it be a
quick impulse of high current like a lightning strike, or a long term source like a
high voltage power supply. It is generally accepted that you need at least 1 mA
of current flowing through a person’s body to kill them, though a person’s health
has a large role to play in this. If you are at all in question about your health or
have heart problems, please follow the safety guide at the end of this chapter!
The IG7 has the capability to deliver about 400 uAmps (0.4 mA) of current.
This is a bit less than the 1 mA previously mentioned, but still close enough to
hurt a lot! Just ask one of our employees who pointed to the high voltage
terminal and discovered what this project was the hard way! While the actual
electrocution may not be what injures you, it can be the secondary reaction,
such as falling out of your chair and injuring yourself in the fall. I have
personally flown across a room when I was experimenting with a larger supply
and had no recollection of how I put a dent in my parent’s washing machine!
What I am trying to say here is that this is a relatively safe project, but there
are certainly some precautions you must take to ensure an enjoyable
experience, as well as a long life! Our fellow employee lived through it; so
should you. Personally I have yet to be electrocuted by this little gem, and I
don’t care to be in the future. Any time I am around high voltage I make sure I
am not tired, I don’t take it for granted, and I am aware of the possible
consequences.
Some basic rules around this kit:
• Always use only one hand. The easiest way to do this is to keep the other
hand in your pocket. This reduces the chances of current flow across your
heart. I would rather have a tingly leg than see wings sprout from my back
on the way to cloud 9.
• Always unhook the power before working on anything. Don’t trust the power
switch, as many power supplies have enough capacitance to keep things
running for quite a while after the power is turned off. Also wait a few
seconds before reaching for the unit.
• Use a grounding wire to discharge any high voltage terminals before
handling the device. By grounding I mean solder a wire to the black lead of
the high voltage power supply, then touch the high voltage terminal
connection with the other end of the wire. This will discharge any stored
potential by shorting the output to ground. Many high voltage devices can
maintain a charge for WEEKS after the power has been removed.
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