Safety and Preparation For Use iii
IGC100 Ion Gauge Controller
• High-voltage ion-producing equipment such as a hot-cathode ionization gauge can,
under certain circumstances, provide sufficient electrical conduction via a plasma to
couple a high voltage potential to the vacuum chamber walls. Any exposed
conductive parts of a gauge or vacuum chamber may attain high voltage potentials
through this process if not properly grounded.
• All conductors in, on, or around the vacuum system that are exposed to potential high
voltage electrical discharges must either be shielded at all times to protect personnel
or must be connected to the system earth-ground at all times.
• All parts of a vacuum system utilized with this or any similar high voltage product
must be maintained at earth ground for safe operation. There should be an explicit
heavy duty earth-ground connected to the vacuum chamber. Check with
an electrician if necessary. All electronic instrumentation must be connected to
properly grounded electrical outlets and include a chassis grounding lug that must be
tied to the common earth-ground of the vacuum system. Beware! Failure to safely
ground your vacuum system can be fatal!
• The electrical insulation in this product may become less effective at preventing
electrical shock after ten years of normal use (or even non-use). Products placed in
harsh environments might deteriorate even faster. Inspect all electrical insulation
periodically for signs of cracking and deterioration. Return the product to the factory
for service if the insulation has become unsafe.
• To reduce the risk of fire and electrocution do not expose this product to rain or
moisture. Be careful not to spill liquid of any kind onto or into the product.
• This product is intended for use only in a clean and dry laboratory environment.
Operation in other environments may cause damage to the product and reduce the
effectiveness of the safety features.
• Keep in mind that O-ring seals without metal clamps or bolt connections
can isolate big portions of a vacuum system from its safety ground.
Verify that the vacuum port to which any new component is mounted is electrically
grounded. Use a ground lug on a flange bolt if necessary.
• Keep all electrical wiring in your vacuum system neatly organized and in good
working conditions. Label and color-code all high voltage cables. Inspect all HV
wires periodically for problems as part of your safety checkups.
• Use tie downs and cable channels to hold all electrical wiring in place (i.e. no
dangling cables).
• Keep all electronic instrumentation neatly organized, and remove unconnected cables
and connectors from the vacuum setup.
• If possible, rack mount your vacuum instrumentation.
• Only use instrumentation with high quality cables and connectors that properly shield
all high voltage terminals. Eliminate homemade connections from your vacuum
setups.
• High voltage cables from ion gauge controllers, ion guns, photomultiplier tubes, mass
spectrometer probes, power supplies, etc , can be inadvertently damaged if pinched
while tightening flange bolts. Keep all cables away from vacuum ports frequently
opened to air.