28 Dec
1998
28 Dec
'98
9:30 a.m.
Hi Marty,
At 12:15 PM 12/28/98 -0500, you wrote:
THESE SETS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LETHAL,
often having the 120 hot wire soldered to the chassis. If you touch
the chassis on one of these sets wired with the hot to chassis, then
ground yourself, you'll electrocute yourself. Always use one hand only
so you don't provide a path for the current (likewise be certain you
have insulated shoes, not providing a current path anywhere on your
body). If you need to work on one of these sets, use an isolation
transformer or wire a light bulb between the set and house current
(the light bulb filiment should open before you fry, thus breaking the
circuit).
Marty
An isolation transformer is a good idea, but a light bulb is series will
only limit the current to its rating. Even with a short circuit, it will
only light at full brillance, not act as a breaker. It may protect
components in the radio, but it is no shock protection. A 40 watt bulb (a
smaller size) still has about 0.3A at 120 volts, way more than enough to
electrocute yourself if the current flows in the wrong path :(.
-Dave