Richard, I think the situation would depend on the machine, the compartment, and how obvious the hazards are once you get into the area. If we have a tool accessible area with live parts behind it and it is difficult or impossible by design to make it IP2X (touch safe), then we will add a high voltage warning label on the outside of the panel to provide the second level of protection. It is my understanding that obvious hazards such as power terminals do not need guarding but hazards that are not apparent must be guarded or have a warning label.
Whoever, if there are adjustments or calibrations that have to be done in this area by service or repair personnel while the machine is on, then you are obligated to add guards to protect from accidental contact with hazardous live parts. It doesn't have to be metal guards that meet the impact test and other requirements as if it was part of the enclosure. It can be insulation material held on with a single screw or even tape. Where guards cannot be use we try to locate a high voltage warning label on or near the hazard. We recently had a situation where we wanted to make the stud mount terminals on an incoming line filter touch safe in an area where adjustments has to be made by service personnel while the machine is on. Though the terminals on a line filter is an obvious hazard and does not require guarding, we like to do what we can. So we made up a little four sided box out of a sheet of PVC insulation and fastened it to the filter with double sided tape. I know it isn't much but helps me to sleep better at night. Hope this was helpful. The Other Brian From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Richard Pittenger Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:39 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Protection against electric shock question - CE Hello List Experts, In the USA, once inside the electrical enclosure, we are generally permitted to have uninsulated live electrical parts, if desired. A review of Sec. 6.2.2 of EN 600204-1:2006, covering the general requirements of electrical equipment of machines, seems to permit the same construction, although I've been instructed in the past that at least an IP2X protection is needed even inside the electrical enclosure. Note, for purposes of this discussion, that it is expected that the servicer will disconnect power to the product before opening the enclosure and that there are no residual voltages after power is disconnected. I would appreciate any advice concerning what is the expected minimum level of protection for such 'live' parts inside electrical enclosures on CE marked equipment. Thanks in advance. Good day, Richard I. Pittenger Agency Approval Engineer Food Retail Systems Hobart Ph: 937-332-2621 Fax: 937-332-3204 e-mail: [email protected] Disclaimer - This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and contain privileged or copyrighted information. You must not present this message to another party without first gaining permission from the sender. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not copy, print, distribute or use this email or the information contained in it for any purpose other than to notify us. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system. We do not guarantee that this email is free from viruses or any other defects although due care has been taken to minimize the risk. - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to [email protected] Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas [email protected] Mike Cantwell [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: [email protected] David Heald: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc LECO Corporation Notice: This communication may contain confidential information intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you received this by mistake, please destroy it and notify us of the error. Thank you. - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to [email protected] Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas [email protected] Mike Cantwell [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: [email protected] David Heald: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc
