Interesting and highly informative document. I guess the fewer kilo-dollars one has to invest in redundant safety systems, the more responsible, careful, and aware one has to be.
Matt D.
"Dune buggies don't come with 5 air-bags."
-----Original Message-----
From: David Sharpe <sparktron01@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla Coil Mail List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, Aug 20, 2014 7:13 am
Subject: [TCML] NIST High Voltage Laboratory Testing / Safety Reference
Truly excellent reference for use when designing
medium or high voltage equipment or performing HV lab work,
from NIST. This document was referenced in a recent
EDN e-blog. The great thing about this document is it
is succinct, brief (9 pages), specific, and to the point.
http://www.nist.gov/el/isd/mmc/upload/high_voltage_rules_revised.pdf
One recommendation is the requirement of having "2"
separate operations to turn on high voltage; this requires
at a minimum a Main Disconnect (Lockable Safety Switch)
and a start-stop push-button station with seal in contactor.
This requirement supports my contention you should never
"instant on" high voltage equipment. YMMV, but I've seen
catastrophic, spectacular failures doing this.
The additional requirements of a RTZ (Return to Zero) interlock,
on all HV equipment is very interesting, and I'd bet less then
5% of the amateur Tesla Coil HV equipment built worldwide
has that feature. But RTZ could save your life, and possibly
infrastructure too. I am designing a solid state power controller
with integral ballasting and current limit regulation (240V/100A)
utilizing AC Chopper technology that I have decided to incorporate
this feature into the design. An additional requirement is a
flashing red beacon with the presence of High Voltage (if it
doesn't interfere with testing). If the SG is not firing, you have
no outward indication that there is high voltage present, which could
have very dangerous consequences.
I hope this document is useful to the Tesla Community
Best Regards
--
Dave Sharpe, TCBOR/HEAS
Chesterfield, VA USA
Sharpe's Axiom of Murphy's Law
"Physics trumps opinion!"
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