MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING PRECAUTIONS FOR WELDING


Faulty or improperly maintained equipment can cause property damage, physical injury, or possibly death by fire or electrical shock. Here is a list of some important items to check when troubleshooting or maintaining equipment.

Stop operating IMMEDIATELY if equipment is malfunctioning. Notify your supervisor of the malfunction. Do not perform any further operations until the problem is corrected.

Do not perform any maintenance unless you are qualified to perform such work. Only qualified personnel should install, maintain, and repair the equipment.

Avoid live circuits. Disconnect the equipment from the main electrical power source before working on the inside of the equipment. Just turning of the equipment power switch does not shut of the power going to the equipment. If external 115-volt power is used to energize a power supply contactor, disconnect it as well. Use disconnect/lockout/tag procedures where possible.

Make test readings carefully. If necessary to take test meter readings on live electrical equipment, be sure to wear insulating gloves, use properly insulated test probes, and applies input voltage momentarily to obtain the readings.

Maintain cables, grounding wire, connections, power cord, and power supply in safe working order. Do not operate equipment in faulty condition. Replace damaged cables.
Do not abuse the equipment. Protect the equipment from heat, excessive wet conditions, oil or grease, corrosive atmospheres, and inclement weather.

Replace parts only with manufacturer’s recommended replacement parts. Do not substitute, modify, or use unauthorized parts. Use fuses of proper rating as specified in the manufacturer’s manual. Read and understand the operating instructions provided by the manufacturer of the equipment before attempting repairs.


Keep all protective devices and covers in position. They are designed to protect personnel and equipment.

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