Clinton HF-15BX - Risk of Fire and Pacemaker Warnings; Ozone Production

Model HF-15B High Frequency Spark Tester
HF-15B Instruction Manual – Page 9
Avoid the Risk of Fire!
Every time your wire line stops, be sure that the HV in the electrode goes off. If
the HV remains ON while your wire line is stationary, the wire insulation within
the electrode will heat and there is a danger of combustion. Refer to the table in
“Installation” labelled “Terminal Block connections,” under HV Enable on how to
safely install your spark tester.
Caution: Pacemaker Warning
Clinton Instrument Company strongly advises any individual using a pacemaker
or other such medical device to avoid operating or being in the vicinity of spark
testers. Current studies indicate that such medical devices can malfunction in
the presence of electrical and magnetic fields. When a fault occurs in the
electrode of a Clinton spark tester, both high and low frequency
electromagnetic fields are generated. The strengths of these emissions are
unknown, since they depend on test voltage and other variables. The danger is
greater when a customer does not ground the inner conductors of a test
product. While Clinton cautions its customers to ground the test product for
safety reasons, many times this warning is ignored. In this situation, both the
spark tester and the entire length of the wire line will radiate these emissions.
There is also a serious risk of electrical shock if an individual comes into contact
with an ungrounded test product.
Email: support@clintoninstrument.com.
Caution: Ozone Production
Ozone is a naturally occurring gas (O3) and is produced when there is an
electrical discharge through Oxygen (O2). Whatever generates arcing will
produce Ozone (electric motors and office photocopiers for example).
High frequency spark testers produce ozone because the AC test voltage
generates a corona field, ionizing the air surrounding the cable within the
electrode. Ozone is produced in proportion to the surface area of this corona
field, which varies in size primarily due to the capacitance of the specific cable
under test. Other factors include the length and condition of the spark tester
electrode, and test voltage level.
When Ozone is noticeable and problematic, ventilation should be added to the
workstation to exhaust the air and to provide fresh air. To gauge exposure levels
in a given setting, operators can wear Ozone sensitive badges during a working
day. Thus total exposure can be assessed and appropriate actions taken.
Email: support@clintoninstrument.com.