Tesla Model 3: Electrical Precautions

General

Avoid getting grease on electrical components and connectors. Grease collects dirt, which can cause electrical tracking (short circuits) or high resistance.

Handle printed circuit boards (PCBs) at an electrostatic discharge (ESD) work station only. Hold printed circuit boards by the edges only.

Warning: ESD wrist straps should never be worn when working with High Voltage (HV) components.

Voltages

Warning: The vehicle has low voltage (12V) and High Voltage (HV) (400V) circuits. To fully disconnect the HV system, refer to Service Manual procedure 17010000, "Vehicle Electrical Isolation Procedure."

Warning: Only technicians who have been trained in High Voltage Awareness are permitted to perform this procedure. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and insulating HV gloves with a minimum rating of class 0 (500V) must be worn any time a high voltage cable is handled. Refer to Tech Note TN-15-92-003, "High Voltage Awareness Care Points" for additional safety information.

Warning: Makes sure that multimeters and leads are capable of handling at least 500V before performing a procedure that involves high voltage.

Warning: Never disconnect or cut an orange high voltage power cable or HV component unless the HV system has been disabled.

Warning: After disabling the vehicle, power is maintained for 30 seconds in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and 1 minute in the high voltage electrical system.

Warning: Never cut into the HV battery enclosure.

HV Battery and HV Circuits

The HV battery stores all of the energy for the motor and vehicle electrical systems. The HV circuits can sense a variety of conditions that could potentially damage the vehicle or pose a safety risk. Their primary response in these circumstances is to disconnect the HV from the rest of the vehicle.

When the HV battery is not in a vehicle, high voltage is not accessible without removing the penthouse cover.

Warning: Remove all jewelry (watches, bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, ID tags, piercings, etc.) from your person, and all objects (keys, coins, pens, pencils, tools, fasteners, etc.) from your pockets before performing any procedure that exposes you to high voltage.

Warning: If corrective eyewear is necessary to safely perform any procedure, make sure that the eyewear is securely restrained to the head and cannot fall off.

Warning: An HV battery poses a significant high voltage and electrocution risk if the outer enclosure or safety circuits have been compromised or have been significantly damaged.

Warning: Always remove the HV battery before performing any procedure that might require using a drill near the HV battery, especially drilling downward from inside the vehicle.

Warning: If the HV battery or vehicle displays signs of escaping gases, smoke, flames, excessive heat, sparks, or arcing, contact the local emergency department and refer to the applicable Emergency Response Guide. Gases or smoke exiting a lithium-ion HV battery are likely flammable and could ignite at any time.

• 12V Battery
• Grease for Electrical Connectors

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