Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering
Lab Safety
From Campus Emergency Phone : 511
From your cell phone, 911 or PREFERRED 215-573-3333.
Please add 215-573-3333 ( UPenn Public Safety) as Emergency number. Upenn Public Safety is much more aware of the location on campus and can expedite the assistance.
The First-Aid box is located near the entrance of the lab.
Check your cell – phone reception and battery level.
UNLESS APPROVED IN ADVANCE, STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK ON LITHIUM-iON OR ANY RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES IN THE LAB
NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO CONNECT ANY TYPE OF ELECTRODES OR ELECTRICAL SENSORS TO THE BODY IN THE LAB.
NEVER WORK ALONE when:
- Working after 6pm.
- Working on voltages greater than 30v – make sure there is someone who can see or hear you. All our lab kits and supplies are rated less than 30v.
- Working with power tools. Make sure you follow all safety procedures and there is someone in the vicinity.
PREVENT ACCIDENTS:
- Do not work with power supply connected to the circuit, while debugging a problem.
- If by any chance, you observe overheated components or current exceeding the rating of the components, immediately stop your work, disconnect power and seek advice before you reconnect the circuit to the power source.
- When using electrolytic capacitors :
– Do not short the leads of the capacitor after it has been charged ( wait for 3x-5x time constant of the capacitor before discharging) .
– Be careful to observe the polarity of the capacitor – electrolytic capacitors can explode or leak when connected in reverse polarity.
- When using soldering iron, use safety eyeglasses. Use bench clamps to hold the board.
- Please report any broken wire or loose electrical connections to lab staff immediately.
- Wear safety goggles while soldering. Wear safety glasses while cutting objects that might shoot off (eg. using cutters to cut headers). We have goggles that will fit over prescription glasses too.
- If using strong magnets be aware causing damage to electronics or letting the magnet fly when unsecured.
- Do not bring power tools into the lab. Use power tools elsewhere.