Laser Output power and safety

guyfawkes · Jun 7, 2013

Hi everyone.

I bought a focus-able 532nm green laser from Ebay which said it was less than 5mw, roughly 2mw.

When it arrived the label said 200mw, I was freaked out by this because they can blind you instantly...

So I emailed the seller and they replied saying that they put the wrong label on, and it wouldn't be more than 5mw.

So its powerful enough to pop balloons and hurt your skin after 15 seconds, but is that because its focus-able or because it has a higher output power? It can't light matches but i'm just wondering about its safety and stuff?

Can a focusable 5mw laser pop a balloon and is it safe to use around people. What would happen if it shined into somebody's eyes?

Many thanks to anyone who replies!!!!

Livinloud · Jun 7, 2013

its not due to focus, its because it is over spec......search over spec ebay pen here on the forum and you'll see they can reach over 100mW EASY. true 5mW 532nm lasers will run you at least $30

guyfawkes · Jun 7, 2013

OK it did cost around $30. Are you sure its over spec, and if so is that dangerous?

What could i do about that?

Thanks

lasersbee · Jun 7, 2013

guyfawkes said:
Hi everyone.

I bought a focus-able 532nm green laser from Ebay which said it was less than 5mw, roughly 2mw.

When it arrived the label said 200mw, I was freaked out by this because they can blind you instantly...

So I emailed the seller and they replied saying that they put the wrong label on, and it wouldn't be more than 5mw.

So its powerful enough to pop balloons and hurt your skin after 15 seconds, but is that because its focus-able or because it has a higher output power? It can't light matches but i'm just wondering about its safety and stuff?

Can a focusable 5mw laser pop a balloon and is it safe to use around people. What would happen if it shined into somebody's eyes?

Many thanks to anyone who replies!!!!

If it can pop a balloon and hurt your shin in 15 seconds
and it is rated at 5mW...

IT IS OVERSPEC.

A tested 5mW Laser will never pop a balloon nor will you feel
any heat on your skin.

For Gods sake get some Laser Safety Goggles/Glasses if
you intend to use it and don't want to invest in a white
cane for yourself and/or others.

Jerry

guyfawkes · Jun 7, 2013

Thank you so much for telling me that. I will now be very careful with it now. What Mw could it be if it can pop a balloon (only a black one)?

What would happen if somehow it did come in contact with eyes?

THANKS, YOU ARE THE BEST

lasersbee · Jun 7, 2013

Go to the top of this Thread page and enter Hit In Eye in the
Google search bar and read what did and can happen...

Jerry

Livinloud · Jun 8, 2013

i meant to say cost at least $30 from a TRUSTED LASER SITE....fleabay is crap and all the lasers sold there labeled at 5mW are about 10x the advertised if not more. ebay policy doesnt all the sales of lasers over 5mW thus everyone sells them as 5mW, this is VERY DANGEROUS since many kids get wicked over powered lasers and dont know it

Speedy78 · Jun 8, 2013

Where are you located? There are men users area d the world with LPMs willing to test other users lasers. You just pay shipping both ways. Would be nice to know how strong it really is.

guyfawkes · Jun 8, 2013

Hi

Thanks again, I had no Idea eBay would do that. They also PROMISED me that it would no be more than 5mw!!! How outrageous, when I specifically asked if it really was 200mw.

I'm located in Gloucestershire, England, how would I get in contact with them?

guyfawkes · Jun 8, 2013

I was also wondering if I could buy a dimmer filter or something that would limit the power output?
Because I'm actually scared of using it now after reading Xouls accident

I'm not so worried about shining it in my own eyes but accidentally shining it in somebody else's.

lasersbee · Jun 8, 2013

The 1st thing you would need to do is filter the
808nm IR out of the equation. Then you can use
a Neutral density filter to reduce the 532nm output.

But that would require a calibrated Laser Power
Meter to see the results.

Another thing that can be done is to reduce the current
supplied to the Laser Diode by reducing the output of the
Driver.

Again... to know what power you finally end up with will
require a calibrated LPM.

Or you could buy a tested 5mW Laser from a Forum member
that has an LPM.

Jerry

guyfawkes · Jun 8, 2013

Hi,

OK I see, are those filters available online?

Also how much would a LPM cost, or who could I send it to to test?
If I focus it so the beam/dot is has a wider diameter would that make it less harmful?

Many thanks again!

honeyx · Jun 8, 2013

Just take a look at Jerrys links in his signature. There are also prices for his LaserBee LPMs.

Your laser probably will be somwhere in the range between 50 and 150mW. Hard to say, but assuming it´s focused to infinity, not lighting european matches but hurting your skin, I would say somwhere between 100 and 150mW.

Btw, could you provide a link to the seller you got it from?

Spooky · Jun 8, 2013

I'm not so worried about shining it in my own eyes but accidentally shining it in somebody else's.

Top guy

thinking of the safety of others first is an admirable attitude .

cheers

Dave

guyfawkes · Jun 8, 2013

50 and 150mW OMG! Its advertised at <2Mw!

ASTRONOMY MILITARY 532NM Adjustable Focus BURNING Green Laser Pointer No.304# | eBay

It's sold by a guy called 'laserbest2012'

and at 100mw that would be illegal I think...

I was expecting something like 30Mw because I heard they can pop balloons.
PS It only pops dark colored balloons.

Cheers Spooky

Shakenawake · Jun 8, 2013

here's a link to the kind of laser I believe you want. good job, always good to see responsible people. I'd just get rid of the one you have, safety glasses blocking both green and IR are pricey. the laser I sent a link for outputs a negligible amount of IR

Optotronics Product Details

if you want to keep the laser, you may need something like these:

Eagle Pair® 190-540nm & 800-2000nm Laser Safety Goggles

naturally, these glasses are out of stock right now

Laser Output power and safety

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