Safety warning

It has been brought to the attention of the Association ofWelding Distribution's (AWD) Product Safety & Quality (PSQ) Committee that some welding and cutting equipment suppliers are offering inverter plasma cutters that use a torch connection system, which may leave exposed connections at very high voltage levels.

The picture shows the male torch connector exposed while the torch switch is still in place and able to activate the machine's output. This may expose the operator or persons in the vicinity to direct contact with voltage levels which may cause death by electrocution. The AWD points to the following extract from EN 60974 -1:2005 copyright IEC:2005: "11.1.4 Rated no-load voltage for special processes for example plasma cutting. A rated no load voltage exceeding 113V peak DC may only be used if the following requirements are fulfilled: These power sources with their corresponding torches shall prevent the output of no-load voltage if the torch is disassembled or disconnected from the power source." The AWD PSQ committee advises that it is normal for plasma cutters to have a no-load voltage exceeding 200VDC.Most manufacturers use a torch connected within the housing of the machine or a connector which disables output if the torch is removed.