ETA313-09: Theory Lesson 4: Electrical safety, grounding, isolation, EMC

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Recommended reading: KonCEPT page 237-259 (Chapter 10,11,12)

This list might need to be updated with regards to what the certification tests.

The legal stuff is translated by -JKK who is not a lawyer… it may not be accurate.

Intermodulation (Splatter)

Over-driven power amplifier distorts the signal. Increased bandwidth. Solved by using less power.

Distortion

For example leakage of signal along outside of coax can cause feedback and amplitude variations. Really unclear definition

Morse key snap (Nyckelknäppar)

Unfiltered CW has sharp flanks in the time domain waveform → snapping sound → too large bandwidth

Harmonic transmission (Övertonsutstrålning)

Your radio also transmits on a harmonic other than the fundamental tone. This harmonic can disturbe others and may be outside the ham radio bands. Add a LP filter on TX, HP filter on RX.

Blocking (Blockering)

A too strong signal nearby overloads the receiver. Not enough dynamic range in a SDR.

LF-detection (LF-detektering)

Other electronics “detects” the RF signals and demodulates them to a low frequency. ex the stories from Radiomotet Göteborg where radoio was heard when a skillet was placed on a stove.

Can be reduced by preventing HF from propagating along the outside of a coax cable with a ferrite or similar.

WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PUT FILTERS INSIDE CE-CERTIFICATION EQUIPMENT! This removes the CE-CERTIFICATION

Electric shock: U=RI, R varies with voltage and reduces as a function of voltage from approximately 75V.

High electromagnetic field strengths can cause health problems. And disturb pacemakers.

If you use a transmitter, cell phone and so on and someone gets problems with heart or lungs you MUST stop transmitting immediately.

It is not allowed to cause high electromagnetic field strength in a public place

It is not allowed to transmit with too high power.

Power limits come in several forms.

EIRP = effective isotropic radiated power. Max 1W EIRP→ output power • Antenna gain= 1 W,

ex. 10 mW output power * 20 dBi (x100 in linear scale) antenna gain = 1W

P.E.P = Peak emitted Power → 1W P.E.P = max peak value for signal = 1W.

If you have adequate knowledge concerning electrical safety you are allowed to change:

• a switch (elkopplare (strömbrytare)) for maximum 16A 400V.
• change a receptacle (anslutningsdon (vägguttag, lamputtag, stickpropp, skarvuttag eller liknande) for maximum 16A 400V.
• change light fixture in a dry, non flammable area in a residence area
• install, change or repair a >50V(starkströmsanläggning) that is included in a <50V protection circuit (skyddsklenspänningskrets) with nominal voltage of maximum 50V and power lower than 200VA(almost watts) and a current limited by a fuse of maximum 10A.
• Change fuses
• change light source
• Repair apparatuses
• Make and repair device cables and extension cords.

REMEMBER! Authorized installer shall be hired for work in permanent installations.

This one i cannot translate accurately. (Nybyggnad, förändring eller reparation av starkströmsanläggning, fast anslutning av elektrisk utrustning till en starkströmsanläggning eller att koppla loss fast ansluten elektrisk utrustning från en starkströmsanläggning, klassas som elinstallationsarbete och får endast utföras av person som har auktorisation som elinstallatör eller av yrkesverksam som omfattas av ett elinstallationsföretags egenkontroll. )

Regular citizens may own transmitters, but are forbidden to transmit.

Everyone may purchase a ham radio but only licensed may use the “push-to-talk” button.

This does not apply to jammers… these are totally forbidden to own.

https://www.pts.se/sv/privat/radio/utrustning/forbud-mot-storsandare/

Explain CE-marking. Not China Export.

Radioutrustningslagen SFS 2016:392

Lagens tillämpningsområde och definitioner anger att lagen inte omfattar radioutrustning som används av radioamatörer för amatörradiotrafik, under förutsättning att utrustningen inte tillhandahålls på marknaden. Radioutrustning som används av radioamatörer för amatörradiotrafik ska inte anses tillhandahållen om det är:

• radiobyggsatser som är avsedda att byggas samman och användas av radioamatörer
• radioutrustning som har modifierats av radioamatörer för att användas av radioamatörer
• utrustning som har konstruerats av enskilda radioamatörer för experimentella och vetenskapliga ändamål i samband med amatörradio
• Detta innebär att du som radioamatör, utöver vanlig elektronik, får bygga och använda en radioutrustning. Du är då ansvarig för att den utrustning du byggt är säker att använda och inte orsakar störningar.

This law above means that you may do the following!

• Build a radio from a kit that designed to be constructed by ham radio operators
• use a radio that has been modified to be used inside the ham bands.
• Transmit with things for experimental and scientific purposes in the ham bands.
• You may construct/design/build and use radio devices that may be connected to high voltage. YOU are responsible that they do not cause interference. YOU are responsible that the device does not cause any sort of harm to a persons devices and pets (you may connect it to the power grid!)

This law above means that you may NOT do the following!

• Build a transmitter for usage outside the ham bands.
• Modify a transmitter for usage outside the ham bands.
• Modify a CE-Marked transmitter for usage outside the ham bands.
• Restore a CE-Marked transmitter to its orignial form after it has been modified for usage outside the ham bands.
• Mount a filter inside a CE-marked apparatus.

Use Ground Fault Protection (jordfelsbrytare)!

Ground fault protection is an automatic switch that quickly disconnects power when the current entering the device and the current leaving the device are different. This can happen when there is a ground fault that cause current to flow into the safety ground/chassis of the device.

Ground fault protection protects you from the following isolations and ground faults.

• If the chassis of a device is connected to live voltage.
• If you touch live voltage and ground at the same time.
• If the outlet lack safety ground
• If you use a device wrongly in a wet area
• If you install the device wrong
• If the device cable is damaged
• To reduce the risk of fire

Ground fault protection does not protect against currents flowing from phase to neutral conductor or phase to phase (three-phase). Ground fault protection shall not be a replacement for protection grounding, but can under certain circumstances increase the protection from protection grounding. Ground fault protection is required in new installations. It is reccomended to install Ground fault protection in old buildings.

• The chassis shall be adapted for the device and not be openable without tools.
• The chassis shall have ventilation holes to prevent overheating. Observe that live parts shall not be reachable from the ventilation holes.
• The chassis shall not be hot enough to hurt human or property
• If the chassis is to be connected to the grid and is made from conductive material the chassis and parts that can fail as a short shall be connected to protective ground.
• The AC cable for grid connection shall be adequately strain relieved that also protects from cable wear where the cable leaves the chassis.
• Components in the device shall be dimensioned for the correct power, voltage, current levels and and heat generated in the device. A tip is to have good thermal margins since that leads to increased lifetime and safety margins.
• The device shall be equipped with a correctlyt dimensioned fuse to protect against shorts and over-loads.
• Grid connected devices shall be equipped with two-pole switches. (fuse and neutral)
• Live parts inside the device shall be equipped with touching protection to protect against accidental touches.
• Components in the device shall be fixed in position at suitable internal distances so that the risk of disturbances, sparks, short circuits and overheating is minimized.
• Cables and conductors for high voltage shall be protected against hot components, wear, sharp corners and be separated physically from low voltage sections and signals.
• Always have bleeder resistors in parallel with “big” capacitors so they are discharged when power is disconnected.
• Always use Ground fault protected outlets.

Important for the test!

• Overheating
• High voltages
• Large currents
• Place antennas out of reach for unauthorized
• Charged capacitors
• Lightning
• Antennas and antenna cables can never be protected from lightning strikes. Observe that it is not ok to connect to the buildings lightning protection (åskledare) this will invalidate home insurances

During repair the device shall be powered off. Before starting working

1) turn off the device power swithch

2) Unplug the power cable (double safety)

If trimming or fault finding with live voltage is required follow the following,

• Do not work when tired or unmotivated
• Make sure to not get electrocuted. If possible work with one hand and keep the other hand away from the device. Preferable in your back pocket!
• Don't wear (wired) headphones. Use speaker for trimming by ear.
• Don't work alone with live devices. Show the other person where the power switch is located. It is preferable if they know how to assist with electrocution injuries.

Even though the voltage is low for lead acid batteries they can deliver large short circuit currents. Remove rings, watches and similar when working with them. Use isolated tools when working with battery poles.

Be aware of the electrolyte in lead acit batteries. It is highly corrosive.

Be aware of the explosion risk from hydrogen released from charging a battery which can send acid into eyes.

Modern Lithium (Li<>) batteries are incredibly energy dense. These can catch fire with high temperatures and should be treated carefully. Be careful not to overcharge!

Electrical fires have different properties compared to the usual solid/liquid fires we usually see. Also electrical injuries are a bit special as they cause harm through internal burns and interference with the nervous system. This section explains my (klondike's) knowledge in these areas so that you can save lifes. I'm a not a certified trainer in fire safety nor electrical injuries/CPR although I have had formal training in these areas. This is not a replacement of such training and you should attend it if you have the possibility of doing so.

In order to burn, fires usually require three things: combustible (i.e. wood), comburent/oxidizer (i.e. oxygen), and enough energy (i.e. the flame that starts the reaction). Remove one and the fire stops.

Electrical fires are a bit special compared to “normal” fires. In an electrical fire, an electrical fault, for example a short circuit, is providing a huge amount of energy which helps things that would not combust under normal circumstances catch fire.

To minimize the risks of a fire, you should make sure that your cable insulation has fire retardants and that cables carrying large currents/voltages are never close to any inflammable substances. Also, all such cabling should include appropriate fuses to ensure current is cut in case a fault happens. Still accidents can happen and shorts were current is not large enough to activate fuses can cause fires, here is how to act if such a thing happens:

1. Move to safety. Avoid any smoke and fumes and try to walk close to the floor.
2. Turn off the power if you can. No electricity means no extra energy provided to the fire.
3. Warn everybody about the fire so they can evacuate.
4. Call 112 and ask for help. Better to have an unnecessary fire brigade call than death people. Prioritize going somewhere safe to calling. If there is a fire alarm activate it.
5. Do not fight the fire unless you know how to do so safely. Never use an inadequate fire extinguisher, some extinguishing materials conduct electricity so you risk electrocution or worsening the fault. Prioritize use of extinguishers to clear evacuation paths blocked by fire.
6. Ensure everybody is out. If anybody may still be trapped in the building warn the firemen and give as clear indications about their location as possible.

Fire extinguishers work usually under similar principles although they use different materials and techniques to extinguish the fire. Always make sure you are aware where the two or three closest ones are placed, what kind of fires (A: solid, B: liquid, C: gas, D: metals, E: old classification for electrical, F: fat) it can handle. Never use an extinguisher against a class of fire it cannot handle (for electrical fires always check the label to avoid electrical shock). Never use a fire extinguisher on humans as this may cause larger damage. Never use an extinguisher on a fire if you cannot do so safely. Prioritize extinguishing fires to clear evacuation paths. Prioritize turning off electricity to using an extinguisher in an electric fire.

To use most extinguishers:

1. Take the extinguisher as close as safely possible to the fire ensuring a safe distance.
2. Remove the precinct from the locking ring.
3. Remove the locking ring.
4. Point the hose towards the base (lower part) of the flames.
5. Pull the handle.
6. Move the hose to cover the whole area in flames.

Always keep an eye on an “extinguished” fire if it is safe to do so as it might reignite.

Another useful tool to handle fires is a fire blanket. These can be particularly useful to extinguish fires on humans. Fire blankets work by removing the comburent from the fire. To use a fire blanket do as follows:

1. Try to get the person on fire to lie on the floor with arms and legs closed and parallel to the body.
2. Deploy the blanket from head to toes ensuring a bit of slack on the head. Avoid moving the blanket once over the person.
3. Prepare for a high temperature. If you have work gloves at hand put them quick.
4. Starting from the top of the head push the blanket as close as possible to the body of the person. Make your way slowly from the head towards the feet.
5. Call 112 and ask for an ambulance.

NEVER try to extinguish the fire with a blanket in any direction other than from head to toes. Doing so may cause significantly worse damage on the person.

During an electrical shock, large currents traverse the body producing burns and/or interfering with the nervous system. The burn damage of an electrical shock is usually below the skin and cannot be easily seen. Also the interference with the nervous system may cause the victim's heart to stop and their muscles to contract and be unable to let the item causing the shock to go.

In the case a person is electrocuted do the following:

1. Never touch the person directly or with any conductive material.
2. Turn off the power immediately.
3. Call for help.
4. Try to separate the person from the electrical device/cable using a non conductive element.
5. Once the person is separated call 112 and ask for an ambulance.
6. Check the person is conscious and breathes (see CPR section for more info on this).
7. Note down the body area where electricity came in and, if possible, the area where it came out. If the skin is not too damaged you can also use a pen to mark the surrounding area.
8. If the person does not breathe, start CPR immediately.
9. Apply cold water or indirect ice in the burn area until the ambulance arrives.
10. ALWAYS ensure a person who has been shocked visits a doctor, electrical burns are not always visible and are usually much worse than may appear.

If a person is electrocuted or losses consciousness, there is a risk that their heart has stopped beating. Nevertheless, you can still save their life by performing CPR. You should spend a few minutes seeing the videos at https://www.hlr.nu/utbildningsfilmer/ specially the “Vuxen-HLR” one. What follows is a short summary of how to proceed in such a situation:

1. Ensure it is safe to reach the person, specially if electrical injuries are suspected.
2. Call for help.
3. Call the person's name loud to check if they are conscious.
4. If no response, move your ear close to the mouth and nose to see if the person breathes.
5. If no breathing call 112 (or ask another person to do so) set the phone on handsfree mode. Report the incident and listen to the operator for support.
6. If there is a defibrillator close by fetch it (if possible send another person to get it). Closest one to ETA is on the 5th floor close to the stair case.
7. Place person with the chest up.
8. CPR: Put both hands one on top of the other on the chest where the center of the imaginary line between both nipples would be. Keep arms stiff and press hard using your body weight. Hands should sink 5 to 6 cm. Remember, a broken rib is better than a dead person. Repeat 30 times in around 15 seconds.
9. Put your mouth against the other persons mouth, close their nose with a hand and pull their chin down with the other. Give two mouthfuls of air, ensuring the chest of the person rises and holding air for at least a second.
10. Repeat the CPR procedure until the defibrillator arrives.
11. When defibrillator arrives press the button to start it.
12. Place the pads on the chest close to the right shoulder and the other pad on the tummy close to the left elbow.
13. Follow the instructions, ensure nobody touches the patient before the defibrillator activates. Remember that you might need to press the button defibrillation.
14. Resume CPR until the defibrillator instructs you to stop doing so.

The ideal ratio is 30 presses followed by 2 breathes. Presses should be 100 to 120 times per minute. CPR is a very tiresome process, if there is more than one person it might be a good idea to take turns between presses and blows. Prioritize calling 112 and others close by for help, then getting a defibrillator (if it will take you less than 4 minutes to get it) and then CPR. CPR wins time but does not restart the heart. CPR is painful if the person is conscious. If unsure perform CPR and stop if the person complains.

As when answering to an emergency situation, it is important to answer the following questions when calling 112.

Where? Where is help needed? (Position) Try to give as clear indications as possible What? What has happened? Who? Who is it distressed? Number of people (if many) and age. How? Does the distressed person need help? (ambulance/medicine/fire brigade/police/sea rescue?). When? How long ago did the issue happen.