5 May
2004
5 May
'04
5:39 p.m.
On Tue, 2004-05-04 at 21:50, Patrick Finnegan wrote:
That doesn't apply as much to AC power wiring,
though you still have to
watch for "ground loops" where there's a potential between two different
grounding points due to resistance, which will be carried over signal
cables. Still, that's not something the electrician usually cares
about.
Apocryphal tales to terrorize know-nothings:
To someone you see coil up a long extention cord and plug the ends
together for convenient storage: "STOP! Don't do that! The electricity
will build up in the loop and later shock you when you unplug it!",
proceed to show them how to discharge (sic) the cord by wailing the
coiled cord on the ground a dozen times.
Point out (non-existent) stains on the floor under electrical outlets,
and the real reason behind those "baby-proofing" snap-in plastic plugs
that push into unused outlets -- they keep the electricity from leaking
out and staining the floor. Point out that ordinary electrical tape over
the unused holes will do in a pinch.
Then there's always the "AC battery" which you send neophytes out to
look for, but that tale is older than my now-deceased grandfather,
though I suppose it happened at least once. (Wait, we had all those
power cube arguments...)