VFD Radiation

[mecheng10]

Question for any VFD expert out there:

I just installed a 2 HP VFD running off 240V 1 phase for my milling machine, and have been using it the last two days. The VFD is very crudely installed for now (no enclosure, unshielded power wires, unit sitting on table of mill with makeshift chip barrier). The VFD runs at 12kHz carrier frequency, and is running a non-inverter duty motor that was on the mill. Having run the mill for a few hour the last few days, I have noticed that I have what is similar to light sunburn on my face and ears. (Similar to welding for a short period of time with short sleeve shirt on). I was wondering if there is any chance this could be caused by stray EM radiation. I have no idea about what kind of EM radiation I could be generating, or if it would be hazardous. I also thin my flourescent lights could be a culprit (or maybe my imagination). Anybody have any thoughts?

[HuFlungDung]

I've never heard of a VFD emitting UV, but it is certainly more likely that your flourescent lamps could emit UV, since that is what is converted to visible light by the phosphor coating inside the tube.

[mecheng10]

Do you think the VFD and my associated wiring could be leaking enough energy in the RF portion (possibly at the 12kHz carrier frequency) of the spectrum to cause minor burns? I know from my limited ham radio background that the FCC has exposure limits all over the RF portion of the spectrum.

-Brian