Improper grounding puts the laser at risk.
What is grounding?
Grounding refers to connecting a device or system to the ground to form a path on the circuit. Grounding can effectively release charges, static electricity, etc. in the equipment to the earth, thus enhancing the safety of the circuit.
So, why does the laser need to be grounded?
1.Protect personal safety
After grounding, the metal shell and external conductors of the laser are at the same potential as the ground to prevent electric shock accidents.
2.Effective lightning protection
During thunder, some equipment may be struck by lightning. After being struck by lightning, the equipment may be burned or even cause a fire. After grounding, lightning strikes can be guided to the earth, preventing equipment from being damaged by lightning.
3.Effectively prevent mutual interference between devices
When some equipment is working, it will cause serious interference to surrounding electrical equipment. For example, when a high-power welding machine in a workshop is working, the surrounding laser equipment may be affected, causing abnormal working or failure. Grounding the laser can transmit interference to the ground and prevent interference signals from coupling to the laser.
So, how do you make a ground for a laser?
1.The grounding wire generally uses 40mm×4mm galvanized flat steel.
2.The grounding body is made of galvanized steel pipe or angle steel. The diameter of the steel pipe is 50mm, the wall thickness of the pipe is not less than 3.5mm, and the length is 2 to 3m. The angle steel is preferably 50mm×50mm×5mm.
3.The top of the grounding body is 0.5~0.8m away from the ground to avoid the frozen soil layer. The number of steel pipes or angle steel depends on the resistivity of the soil around the grounding body. Generally, it is no less than two, and the distance between each pipe is 3~5m.
4.The distance between the grounding body and the building should be more than 1.5m, and the distance from the independent lightning rod grounding body should be more than 3m.
5.The connection between the ground wire and the ground body should be lap welded.
How to Reduce Soil Resistivity？
Before installing the grounding device, you should know the resistivity of the soil around the grounding body. If it is too high, take necessary measures to ensure that the grounding resistance value is qualified. A simple method can be to use salt and charcoal to reduce the soil resistivity and tamp it in layers with salt and charcoal. Mix charcoal and fine sand evenly into a layer, about 10 to 15cm thick, and then spread 2 to 3cm of salt, for a total of 5 to 8 layers. After paving, drive into the grounding body. This method can reduce the resistivity to the original 13 to 15%. However, salt will be lost with running water over time, and it usually needs to be replenished every two years.
Separate and reliable grounding is a necessary measure for the stable operation of the laser, but it is often ignored in actual operation. In order to protect the safety of people and lasers, we must correctly understand the role and importance of grounding, and actively take measures to conduct grounding at the equipment site. This can not only reduce interference between equipment, ensure stable and long-life operation of the laser, but also protect the human body, so grounding the laser is of great significance.