plasma use outdoors

[norlander]

searched for any reference to this with results, found a plasma unit user manual on line and it says do not use outside but does not say why.

Is this because:
A-a breeze can affect the operation as in mig
B- risk of electric shock -I read/saw somewhere plasma cutters can deliver a fatal shock??

 

[chunkolini]

No idea.
I have used mine outdoors lots of times.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Used my Hypertherm many times outside, without any problems, I too would like to know the reasons against.

 

[GrahamGKD]

I always use my Hypertherm outside - I don't have a drum or tray to cut over so using it inside would most likely result in a fire from the hot sparks. I set fire to the broom I use to sweep up the dust one day.

Because I have not alternative I have used it on very windy days and also decidedly damp days with no apparent problems.

 

[brightspark]

outdoor sockets should be fitted with 30ma rccd protection so not much chance of getting electrocuted

 

[norlander]

Thanks gents, I'll have to use mine outside as well when I get one, good to know I can go ahead and get one now.
I found the place where I read about the possible fatal shock thing, and as the man says I still aint scared, but I'll make sure my safety breakers are in place just to be sure.
Cheers all.

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/plasma-cutter.html

 

[KemppiFrog]

Unless you use it in pouring rain (when the trip would probably go first) I can't see a problem. Quite the reverse, as the fumes are a bit chokey and best not breathed. I almost always used mine outside. New system is with water table and extractor fan. But big stuff still will be outside.
KF

Edit: The voltage is around 100v, so can be a risk if it passes through you to earth. The +&- are in the torch, the earth clamp is a safety thing. The easiest path for the volts is in the machine, so that will be it's first choice. I sometimes used mine without the earth connected(absent minded). Still here.... And never got a tingle.

 

[tlovatt]

People should beware that an RCD will not always protect you from an electric shock by a plasma cutter (or a welder) as you are normally normally on the secondary side of a transformer and hence the RCD would still see a balanced load. Also if you get yourself connected between the earth clamp on the material and the plasma cutter torch you would present a balanced load anyway (same as connecting yourself from live to neutral on the mains)

 

[GrahamGKD]

I always use my Hypertherm outside - I don't have a drum or tray to cut over so using it inside would most likely result in a fire from the hot sparks. I set fire to the broom I use to sweep up the dust one day.

Because I have not alternative I have used it on very windy days and also decidedly damp days with no apparent problems.

....when I say I use it outside - what I generally do is open one half of the double door to my shed and trail the torch and earth cables outside, leaving the plasma cutter itself just inside the door - not that I think that makes much difference? I run my Hypertherm from a 32A socket which is protected by RCD and MCB as you would expect.

 

[GrahamGKD]

I sometimes used mine without the earth connected(absent minded). Still here.... And never got a tingle.

Not just me then - I'm always doing that - no ill effects for me either!

 

[chunkolini]

Maybe it might set the atmosphere alight.
That was a concern with the first hydrogen bomb.

 

[KemppiFrog]

Maybe it might set the atmosphere alight.
That was a concern with the first hydrogen bomb.

Depending on your tastes...Richard Rhodes 'The making of the Atomic Bomb' is a fascinating read.
KF

 

[dannyp]

Unless you use it in pouring rain (when the trip
Edit: The voltage is around 100v, so can be a risk if it passes through you to earth. The +&- are in the torch, the earth clamp is a safety thing. The easiest path for the volts is in the machine, so that will be it's first choice. I sometimes used mine without the earth connected(absent minded). Still here.... And never got a tingle.

there is a ground connection in the torch but that is just for the pilot arc the eath clamp provides the main ground for the cutting current,

if you do get a shock a plasma you will really know about it can be one hell of a jolt.

only ever managed it once, and that was only because numpty dragged the torch through a puddel before passing it to me

 

[norlander]

....when I say I use it outside - what I generally do is open one half of the double door to my shed and trail the torch and earth cables outside, leaving the plasma cutter itself just inside the door - not that I think that makes much difference? I run my Hypertherm from a 32A socket which is protected by RCD and MCB as you would expect.

Yes, thats what I will be doing if I get one.

 

[KemppiFrog]

there is a ground connection in the torch but that is just for the pilot arc the eath clamp provides the main ground for the cutting current,

if you do get a shock a plasma you will really know about it can be one hell of a jolt.

only ever managed it once, and that was only because numpty dragged the torch through a puddel before passing it to me

That was not true with my old Cebora. It did not need earthing to the work. And, while a plasma with a pilot arc might be different, the basic system is creating the arc in the nozzle and blowing the hot gas onto the work. If the -ve. was the work, then it would be an arc from the tip to the work. Something like a spark eroder.

 

[Ed.]

I also use the plasma cutter outside only, but not when it is wet or rainy, then again, I don't do any sort of electrical work outside in those conditions.

Cheers

Ed.

 

[chunkolini]

Ot.
Kemmpifrog, thanks for mentioning that book.I was hoping for a DIY guide but it looks right up my street, have ordered a copy.
Will report back.

 

[KemppiFrog]

Ot.
Kemmpifrog, thanks for mentioning that book.I was hoping for a DIY guide but it looks right up my street, have ordered a copy.
Will report back.

Fredrick Forsythe gave a half decent description in the 'Forth Protocol' You just need some extremely dubious people to get the basic materials. Any help you need, I can connect you on....
KF

If you have a prob with getting the book, I can lend you my copy.

 

[chunkolini]

Have ordered it, lend me a book and you will never get it back.
I have read it, I like it, it becomes mine.
Very generous of you to offer though.
Try The Dead Hand by David Hoffman, frankly terrifying book about the cold war, the chapters on biowarfare are mind boggling.
I am sure we could build a device, just get two lumps of the right metal and hit them together hard enough.

 

[KemppiFrog]

I assume you have read 'The Dice Man' by Luke Reinhart?
I think I need to go to bed, but will toss the cubes to check......
KF

Looking in my parts bin for some lumps of plut..