How hot is a plasma cutter? You would think boiling water is hot, but it doesn’t compare to the heat of a plasma cutter. You would think the inside of an active volcano is hot but even that pales in comparison. The thing about plasma is that it is on an entirely different heat level. Its heat can reach up to 45,000 degrees Fahrenheit or 25,000 degrees Celsius – significantly higher than the boiling point of water. It is so hot that even directly looking at the flame could damage your eyes.
It can also be argued that the sun is no match to the heat of a plasma cutter. The recorded temperature of the surface of the sun is just about 9,941 degrees Fahrenheit. That means a plasma cutter generates heat that is more than 4 times of what the sun can produce. It is even hotter than the earth’s core, which is just at 10,800 degrees Fahrenheit. If you think being near the sun or being in the earth’s core is hot, try getting near a plasma cutter. That will definitely give you a whole new definition to the word “hot”.
How to Protect Yourself from the Heat of Plasma Cutter
Having said all these, you would want to go the extra mile in protecting yourself while using a plasma cutter. If it can easily melt through aluminum, just imagine what it can do if it gets anywhere near your skin. Generally, you should not just protect yourself from the heat of a plasma cutter but from the entire mechanism.
It is important for only skilled and trained people to handle plasma cutters. Make sure you put it in an area in the workspace where only authorized people use it. If you have one at home, be sure to keep it locked and away from the reach of children.
Always keep the plasma cutter significantly away from anything flammable. The work area should be at least 35 feet away from the plasma cutter. Also equip your work area with a fire extinguisher to contain the fire in case something ignites. Additionally, do the following things to protect yourself and your work space:
1. Ensure that the work space is protected from potential electrocution.
Plasma cutters generate a lot of heat, so it is expected that they use up a lot of electricity. The ones with a built-in inverter technology, for instance, have a power output that is extremely high, so the risks of electrocution are higher. You could also end up getting electrocuted fatally if you are not careful. This is why it is important for plasma cutters to be installed properly. An electrician should wire it professionally. It should also be grounded in order to prevent the risks of electrocution.
When handling the plasma cutter, always put on a pair of welding gloves. That can help prevent direct contact of your skin to the plasma cutter. Never operate it while barefoot or while wearing shoes that expose the feet. Wear welding boots all the time and make sure you have a rubber mat to stand on while working. Keep the work environment dry as well. Never handle the plasma cutter if you just got out of the shower and your body is still wet.
Have the ground cables routinely checked by electricians as well. If there are damages to the wiring, it could end up causing electrical issues, which can be very dangerous to you and your work place.
2. Keep your eyes protected.
As mentioned above, directly exposing your eyes to the flame can damage your sight. The arc rays of plasma cutters tend to give off UV rays and infrared that can be huge eye irritants. They are extremely harmful to the eyes as well as the skin, so be sure to shield your eyes from them with the help of plasma cutter goggles. Safety lenses will fend off the infrared material and UV rays. Make sure you get the right shade of safety lenses. There are also welding helmets that automatically darken to correspond to your specific needs
3. Wear protective clothes.
Now this is the most important part. Don’t let your skin become exposed to the slags and molten metals of the plasma. Wear heat-resistant and non-flammable clothes. There are welding jackets and aprons that are made from a leather material that can prevent molten materials from getting to our skin.
Wear proper welding and work boots as well. These are different from average boots because they have toe protectors that help prevent injuries when you get in contact with a solid object and can also prevent molten slags from getting inside your boots.
Make sure you wear a protective shield for your face and head as well. Wear a welding hat underneath a welding helmet for full protection.
4. Make sure your work environment is well-ventilated.
Plasma cutters create gasses in the process, which is why it is important to work in a well-ventilated environment. If you have a work environment that is stifling and enclosed, these gasses can build up quickly, which can be bad for your health.
Install vents to your work place or make sure doors and windows are open in order to allow the gasses to escape.
5. Have your plasma system maintained.
If you experienced faulty generator problems, be sure to have it repaired before attempting to operate the plasma cutter. Never repair it yourself. It is best to leave it in the hands of professionals as they will be able to repair it according to the specifications of the manufacturer.
Do not use substitute wires for the wiring. Only use the ones recommended by the manufacturer. The plasma cutter technician should also check for excess coils in order to prevent tangles that can lead to electrical hazards. The hoses should also be checked regularly for signs of leaks and connections that have loosened up.
Conclusion
You can never be too careful with handling plasma cutters. It is better to go the extra mile in keeping yourself and your work place safe than to sustain injuries due to mishandling.
Plasma cutters come in all sizes as you will see on this page.
