Laser Machine Grounding/Earthing

[Want2build1]

typed at the same time !

[Want2build1]

To add to this ...

Recently my Laser PSU died.
So, I've had to read up on PSU wiring, inputs and outputs ...

The return wire from the tube is connected to the case/chassis !

so, if you get a bad earth connection in the mains supply or plug - either end- then the chassis is potentially at 25Kv .

Unlikely , you might think but ! ...

I just bought a K40 laser machine as a backup. This arrived with a dud tube. The fault was a cooling water leak INSIDE the tube ! which effectively shorted the 25Kv HT to the chassis !

Sooo .. I think the warning for the extra earth connection direct from machine to ground, is sort of a make do safety precaution, to cover this bad design 'feature' .

When I realised this, I had to wonder how the RCD didn't trip, with a constant 20mA or so leaking to earth. I came to the conclution that the flyback transformer produces an isolated current, so the RCD wont protect you.

It's kind of unbelievable that this is a designed situation, not a fault situation.

So .. check your earth connections everyone !

:)

[Want2build1]

and more to add ..

Watching a blog vid of someone reviewing a laser in the USA, He stated he had to install the ground wire, as his house didn't have ground wiring !

That was one of my 1st thoughts.. although I assumed the contries like the US would have ground wiring in their houses by now ?

[SWMS]

If you bought the machine from China I would earth it using the spike. It could be that parts of the machine are electrically isolated from each other. In which case, knowing how they connect the laser tubes, I wouldn't fancy 25 volts bouncing around the frame. :) Basically as he above said. :)

[Clive S]

If you bought the machine from China I would earth it using the spike. It could be that parts of the machine are electrically isolated from each other. In which case, knowing how they connect the laser tubes, I wouldn't fancy 25 volts bouncing around the frame. :) Basically as he above said. :)

25V won't hurt anyone but 25Kv will. It is true that it seems in these lasers the current meter is connected to the ground side of the 25KV and if one side of the meter becomes disconnected it could be a bit hairy ..Clive

[Want2build1]

If you bought the machine from China I would earth it using the spike. It could be that parts of the machine are electrically isolated from each other. In which case, knowing how they connect the laser tubes, I wouldn't fancy 25 volts bouncing around the frame. :) Basically as he above said. :)

you have to consider it in more detail than that !
It depends on your current earth setup.
If my earth is from the elec provider .. and I install a spike .. there could be considerable difference in potential from one earth to the other .. this would cause a large current to flow in the earth wiring.

If I was to add a spike in the workshop, it would be best to use that earth for the whole workshop, and "lift" the incoming earth from the supply