Off-topic: danger of 120v mains?

[Debby and Gene Stopp]

My approach to mains voltage is that I treat it as if it had zero source
impedance. In other words, it will deliver what you take from it. If you
offer it a light load, the energy will be small. If you present it with a
giant load, the power will come without hesitation with destructive results.
The trick is to never offer yourself as a heavy load. After some years of
experience, I know the difference and can work with house wiring
appropriately.

I've got toddlers here, and there's plastic caps in the sockets. The kids
don't know the difference between a light load and a heavy one. It only
takes once, and it doesn't matter if you're five feet away when it happens.
The chances of one of them doing something catastrophic may be low, but the
consequences are so drastic that the precautions are justified, IMO. The
caps we use are a bitch to get out - it's a pain whenever I decide to run
the video camera on AC on the spur of the moment. My fingernails may get
bent back, but I put the caps back when I'm done.

Paranoid dad, eh?

I actually think it's rather fun playing with things like tube amps, knowing
the energy that's in there. Maybe some kind of feeling of power. It's kind
of like when I used to take my Quad out in the dirt and go fast - it's
invigorating to experience the power. But you have to do the right things,
because there's a right way and a wrong way and the wrong way can be fatal.
Displacing your body along a dirt trail at 70 MPH is definitely "potentially
fatal". It's just a matter of knowing what the rules are and sticking to
them. So, getting a good zap and being thrown across the room is kind of
like wiping out on your dirt bike. We put up with it so we can get the
thrills.

- Gene

----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin Fraser" <colinf at ntlworld.com>
To: <jamos at technotoys.com>; <synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl>
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2001 2:38 AM
Subject: Re: Off-topic: danger of 120v mains?


> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Johnson" <jamos at technotoys.com>
> To: <mclilith at ezwv.com>; <synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2001 5:25 AM
> Subject: Re: Off-topic: danger of 120v mains?
>
>
> > Yup, "potentially fatal" is what I was looking for. And again, I've been
> > shocked so many times, it's hard to think of it that way. So the outlet
> > covers will be purchased.
>
> I know it's an expensive option, but in the UK at least you can buy mains
> outlet sockets with built in RCD circuit breakers. That should protect the
> most inquisitive fingers.
> IMO plastic covers on sockets are probably quite a temptation to young
> children.
>
> You Americans have it lucky - you should stick your fingers on 240 V UK
> mains a couple of times.
> On the few occasions I've done that I've usually found myself inexplicably
> at the other side of the room, with any test equipment I was using on the
> floor between myself and the workbench, a cold sweat and a pulse rate in
the
> low audio range...
>
> Colin f
>
>
>
>