Re: Electrical Safety

On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 18:01:30 -0700, phaeton wrote:

As I start to get into building line-driven power supplies and such,
where should I start REALLY being careful? 40V? 60V? 110V? I realize
that current is what does the damage, but you don't have it without
voltage. (I also realize that other factors will factor).

What is the realistic neighborhood of where I shouldn't be grabbing
wires and/or switching out caps or resistors in a live circuit?

Bear in mind that it isn't just a case of being directly harmed by the
electricity itself. Even 50V can give you enough of a "surprise" that you
reflexively pull your arm away and ram a soldering iron into your
face or send a tank of FeCl3/NaOH/etc flying.

The physics and shop teacher in HS talked about 110 AC Line current
like it would knock you dead instantly. An electrician that was
installing a 208v-->480v step up transformer said "110 won't hurt you
at all. It's just enough to scare you a little bit".

I'm not about to strip a power cord and bite down on it, obviously,
but he's not the first to say 'I've been bit by 110 a bunch of times.
It's no big deal'..

I've been bit by 240 a bunch of times (in the UK, where 240V is 240V
above ground, not +/-120V). At least one of those was the "bad" case:
right hand on the live, left hand resting on the grounded chassis. Mind
you, that was when I was 16-17, young and healthy; the consequences might
be a bit more serious these days.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Stay classy, Michael Jordan!
    ... It takes natural talent and highly developed skills to ... As for being out of my mind, I find it most satisfying to get out of my mind as often as my obligations, responsibilities, and commitments permit, and I have made it my lifelong career to keep those bothersome things at a bare minimum. ... We moved at least once a year and sometimes every six months, and often lived in one room shacks with no indoor plumbing or electricity, where our only light was a Coleman lantern hanging from the middle of the ceiling. ...
    (alt.sports.basketball.nba.la-lakers)
  • Re: Stay classy, Michael Jordan!
    ... It takes natural talent and highly developed skills to ... your mind to question his effort or work ethic. ... room shacks with no indoor plumbing or electricity, ...
    (alt.sports.basketball.nba.la-lakers)
  • Re: Darn you, Polly Esther
    ... Everybody wants electricity and it's gotta be made ... clean running" plants think they are fooling everybody because they ... At least there isn't coal dust inside my home. ... The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the ...
    (rec.crafts.textiles.quilting)
  • Re: All-time Hawtest Rockerchyk memochat
    ... PAt benatar ... Tori amos is pretty and I'd bet she'd really blow your mind in bed. ... If electricity comes from electrons, ...
    (rec.sport.football.college)
  • Re: windfarm
    ... >> While you are at it keep Gilfach Goch in South Wales in mind. ... >> 20 mill farm and they are trying to build more of them. ... > a traditional power station. ... REALLY need to use electricity when camping? ...
    (uk.rec.caravanning)