AS 1674.2-2003

1 - AS 1674.2-2003 SAFETY IN WELDING AND ALLIED PROCESSES - ELECTRICAL
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
6 - SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
6 - 1.1 SCOPE
6 - 1.2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
7 - 1.3 DEFINITIONS
7 - 1.3.1 Allied process
7 - 1.3.2 Authorized
7 - 1.3.3 Conductor
8 - 1.3.4 Control lead
8 - 1.3.5 Distribution box
8 - 1.3.6 Environment
8 - 1.3.7 FCAW
8 - 1.3.8 GMAW
8 - 1.3.9 GTAW
8 - 1.3.10 Hazard-reducing device
9 - 1.3.11 Licensed electrical worker
9 - 1.3.12 Mains installation (electrical)
9 - 1.3.13 MMAW
9 - 1.3.14 Open-circuit voltage (OCV) or no-load voltage
9 - 1.3.15 Output lead (or cable)
9 - 1.3.16 Power source (also known as welding machine)
9 - 1.3.17 SAW
9 - 1.3.18 Shall
9 - 1.3.19 Should
9 - 1.3.20 Terminal
9 - 1.3.21 Voltage-reducing device (VRD)
9 - 1.3.22 Welder
10 - 1.3.23 Welding
10 - 1.3.24 Welding circuit (also known as output circuit)
10 - 1.3.25 Welding current
11 - SECTION 2 RISK ASSESSMENT AND PERSONAL SAFETY
11 - 2.1 GENERAL
11 - 2.2 CLASSIFICATION OF WELDING ENVIRONMENT
11 - 2.3 CONTROL MEASURES
11 - 2.3.1 Category A environments
12 - 2.3.2 Category B environments
13 - 2.3.3 Category C environments
13 - 2.4 PARTICULAR HAZARDS WITH PLASMA-ARC PROCESSES
14 - SECTION 3 EQUIPMENT
14 - 3.1 HELMETS, HANDSHIELDS, GOGGLES, FACE MASKS AND GLOVES
14 - 3.2 POWER SOURCES
14 - 3.2.1 General
14 - 3.2.2 Degree of protection
15 - 3.2.3 Terminals
15 - 3.2.4 Internal insulation
15 - 3.2.5 Control
16 - 3.2.6 Maximum open-circuit voltage
16 - 3.2.7 Hazard-reducing devices
17 - 3.2.8 Ancillary devices
18 - 3.3 ANCILLARIES
18 - 3.3.1 Electrode holders for MMAW
18 - 3.3.2 Plasma torches
18 - 3.3.3 Wire feeders
19 - SECTION 4 ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
19 - 4.1 CONNECTION TO ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
19 - 4.2 WELDING CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS
19 - 4.2.1 General
19 - 4.2.2 Welding leads
19 - 4.2.3 Voltage drop
20 - 4.2.4 Electrode leads for MMAW
20 - 4.2.5 Permanently installed welding circuit wiring
20 - 4.2.6 Work lead and work conductor
20 - 4.2.7 Welding circuit connections
20 - 4.2.8 Confined spaces
21 - 4.3 EARTHING
21 - 4.4 CONNECTING MULTIPLE POWER SOURCES TO A COMMON WORKPIECE
21 - 4.4.1 General
21 - 4.4.2 Installation of single-phase power sources to two-wire a.c. supply circuits
22 - 4.4.3 d.c. welding circuits
23 - 4.4.4 Installations on three-phase supply circuits
26 - SECTION 5 INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
26 - 5.1 POWER SOURCE
26 - 5.1.1 Routine inspection and testing
26 - 5.1.2 Insulation resistance
26 - 5.1.3 Earthing
26 - 5.1.4 Repairs
26 - 5.2 ACCESSORIES
27 - APPENDIX A - TYPICAL ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
27 - A1 SCOPE
27 - A2 COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
27 - A3 GENERAL
28 - A4 POWER SOURCES
28 - A4.1 General
28 - A4.2 Open circuit voltage
28 - A4.3 Plasma welding and cutting
28 - A5 SECONDARY CIRCUITS
28 - A5.1 General
29 - A5.2 The magnitude of current flowing through a body
31 - A5.3 The path of current through a body
31 - A5.4 The duration of shock
31 - A5.5 The type of voltage supply
31 - A5.6 The reaction to shock
31 - A6 STRAY CURRENT
32 - A7 ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND PACEMAKERS
32 - A7.1 General
32 - A7.2 Minimizing exposure
32 - A7.3 Welders with pacemakers
34 - APPENDIX B - FATAL ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS
34 - B1 INTRODUCTION
34 - B2 BOILER WELDING
36 - B3 WORKING ON BOARD A SHIP
37 - B4 WELDING OUTDOORS
38 - B5 PULLING A CABLE
38 - B6 FATAL ELECTRICAL ACCIDENT INVOLVING MAINS VOLTAGE

Specifies safety requirements for arc welding and allied processes, to prevent electric shock and minimize associated hazards, describes practices and safeguards that should be adopted by welders (including requirements for cable connections for alternating and direct current power sources, and requirements for any ancillary equipment) and gives examples of ways that shocks have been received and actions that may be taken in the event of a welder receiving an electric shock.

This Standard sets out safety requirements for arc welding and allied processes, to reduce the possibility of electric shock and minimize associated hazards. It includes requirements for cable connections for alternating and direct current power sources, as well as requirements for hazard-reducing devices and other ancillary equipment. It also describes practices and safeguards that should be adopted by welders and provides examples of situations that present an increased risk of electric shock. NOTES: 1 Other aspects of welding safety are covered in other Standards. 2 Typical electrical hazards are described in Appendix A. 3 Some fatal electrical accidents are reported in Appendix B. 4 Information on health aspects of electric fields, magnetic fields and pacemakers is given in Appendix C.

First published in part as AS CC5-1947.
Second edition 1954.
Third edition 1965.
MP 17 first published 1965.
AS CC5-1965 and MP 17-1965 revised, amalgamated and redesignated as AS 2745-1984.
AS 2745-1984 revised and redesignated as AS 1674.2-1990.
Second edition 2003.