Electronic Circuit Safety

Safety Practices and Procedures for Assembling and Testing Electronic Circuits

• Specific safety practices and procedures must be observed when assembling and testing electronic circuits, including adherence to legislation, regulations, and codes of practice.
• Hazards associated with assembling and testing electronic circuits include heat, toxic fumes, spilled/splashed chemicals/solder, static electricity, and the use of sharp instruments for stripping cable insulation and connecting clips/probes into circuits.
• Appropriate protective clothing and equipment (PPE) must be worn, and the work area must be kept safe and tidy to minimize hazards.
• Precautions must be taken to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to electronic circuits and components, such as using earthed wrist straps, anti-static mats, special packaging, and handling areas.
• Hazardous voltage must be recognized, and victims of electric shock must be identified and treated appropriately.
• Risks of a phase to earth shock can be reduced by using insulated tools, rubber matting, and isolating transformers.
• Circuit diagrams, block and schematic diagrams, equipment manuals, data sheets, test procedures, and instructions must be used and information extracted from them, including symbols and conventions to appropriate BS or ISO standards.
• Various types of circuit boards are used, such as printed circuit boards, thin film, thick film, and flexible film circuitry.
• Electronic components must be recognized, and their values and polarity and any other orientation requirements identified for all electronic components being used in the assemblies.
• Components must be checked that they meet the required specification/operating conditions, such as values, tolerance, current carrying capacity, voltage rating, power rating, and working temperature range.
• Basic principles of operation of the electronic circuits being assembled must be understood, as well as the purpose of the individual modules/components within the circuits.
• Circuit protection equipment, such as fuses and other overload protection devices, must be applied and used correctly.