From: starsnstripes_2003
To:
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, July 25, 2003 5:08 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: laptop drill press (foot switch safety)
YES! Ron has a VERY GOOD point!
I wasn't going to get into wiring basics, but for this you should be
aware of safety!
I use stereo 3 conductor phono plugs/jacks for one of my projets, so
using the tip and center conductors to carry the current would be a
good solution. Also, you should use a 3 conductor wire so that you
can carry the ground to the switch housing.
Connect the Green ground wire inside the power strip to the outer
shell and one conductor of the cable. At the other end, connect this
ground wire to the housing of the metal footswitch.
<b>You don't want the hot or neutral sides connected to the outer
shell or switch housing!</b>
Ron respondes....
I wasn't planning on jumping in, but I learned about mains voltage too many times the hard way in my younger days.
I would be careful with even the phone plug, UL and CE have standards for spacing and insulation and the phoneplug insulator is probably not rated nor is the spacing adeqaute(but on the other hand probably works just fine and is much less $$$$ than a UL or CE approved power connector. Just be careful, in commercial gear one does a lot of safety testing and validation to use non-approved connectors and it works, but it takes a great deal of time and money. Safety is key, UL is more fire protection and CE is more along the shock hazard issue, but both overlap.
I'm learning a great deal from this list, I ordered some plans from one of the members the other day for a pcb mill, and hope to use it for drilling and may add some of the cool ideas discussed here. Amazing stuff!!!!
Thanks
Ron
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]