Safety and compliance  SC-1
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY EMC 
Introduction
Hypertherm’s CE-marked equipment is built in compliance with 
standard EN60974-10. The equipment should be installed and used 
in accordance with the information below to achieve electromagnetic 
compatibility.
The limits required by EN60974-10 may not be adequate to completely 
eliminate interference when the affected equipment is in close proximity 
or has a high degree of sensitivity. In such cases it may be necessary to 
use other measures to further reduce interference.
This cutting equipment is designed for use only in an industrial 
environment.
Installation and use
The user is responsible for installing and using the plasma equipment 
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If electromagnetic disturbances are detected then it shall be the 
responsibility of the user to resolve the situation with the technical 
assistance of the manufacturer. In some cases this remedial action 
may be as simple as earthing the cutting circuit, see Earthing of 
the workpiece. In other cases, it could involve constructing an 
electromagnetic screen enclosing the power source and the work 
complete with associated input filters. In all cases, electromagnetic 
disturbances must be reduced to the point where they are no longer 
troublesome.
Assessment of area
Before installing the equipment, the user shall make an assessment 
of potential electromagnetic problems in the surrounding area. The 
following shall be taken into account:
a.  Other supply cables, control cables, signaling and telephone 
cables; above, below and adjacent to the cutting equipment.
b.  Radio and television transmitters and receivers.
c.  Computer and other control equipment.
d.  Safety critical equipment, for example guarding of industrial 
equipment.
e.  Health of the people around, for example the use of 
pacemakers and hearing aids.
f.  Equipment used for calibration or measurement.
g.  Immunity of other equipment in the environment. User shall 
ensure that other equipment being used in the environment is 
compatible. This may require additional protection measures.
h.  Time of day that cutting or other activities are to be carried out.
The size of the surrounding area to be considered will depend on the 
structure of the building and other activities that are taking place. The 
surrounding area may extend beyond the boundaries of the premises.
Methods of reducing emissions
Mains supply
Cutting equipment must be connected to the mains supply according to 
the manufacturer’s recommendations. If interference occurs, it may be 
necessary to take additional precautions such as filtering of the mains 
supply.
Consideration should be given to shielding the supply cable of 
permanently installed cutting equipment, in metallic conduit or 
equivalent. Shielding should be electrically continuous throughout its 
length. The shielding should be connected to the cutting mains supply 
so that good electrical contact is maintained between the conduit and 
the cutting power source enclosure.
Maintenance of cutting equipment
The cutting equipment must be routinely maintained according to 
the manufacturer’s recommendations. All access and service doors 
and covers should be closed and properly fastened when the cutting 
equipment is in operation. The cutting equipment should not be 
modified in any way, except as set forth in and in accordance with the 
manufacturer’s written instructions. For example, the spark gaps of 
arc striking and stabilizing devices should be adjusted and maintained 
according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Cutting cables
The cutting cables should be kept as short as possible and should be 
positioned close together, running at or close to the floor level.
Equipotential bonding
Bonding of all metallic components in the cutting installation and 
adjacent to it should be considered.
However, metallic components bonded to the workpiece will increase 
the risk that the operator could receive a shock by touching these 
metallic components and the electrode (nozzle for laser heads) at the 
same time.
The operator should be insulated from all such bonded metallic 
components.
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY EMC
Compliance Information  EMC-1
7/10