Upon the date 01:33 AM 2/25/99 +0100, RICCARDO said something like:
I'm following the discussion around the danger of
household circuits:
I have
worked on various appliances ,electrical devices and/or wiring
most of my life, close to 50 years, and I have been "bitten" on occasion.
Of course, except for stoves and dryers, the voltage here is 110 v. I
can
understand the respect given to 220v.(3wire) and
have never worked on
anything at that voltage without shutting down the circuit. I have also
been
> very cautious about working on anything in damp conditions like in a
> washroom or wet basement.
Travelling in some other EU countryes, I've noticed that
few household installations have "SAFETY DIFFERENTIAL-CURRENT BREAKERS"
(here in Italy are called "Salva-vita=Life-saver), and also from these
Sounds like what we (in North America) refer to GFCI or Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupter.
messages I learn that 220v are used also in the US
(surprise) for heavy
applications, but again nobody from both side of the ocean refers to the
presence, safetiness, of these devices that here are used and mandatory from
15-20 years.
I would like to hear from you all what's the situation there, if they are
diffused, you use them, are considered (toghether with earthing) enough to
avoid danger situations.
Diffused? Don't quite know what you mean by that word here.
Anyway, in new construction or in remodeling/repairs to bathrooms,
kitchens, laundry rooms, outdoor receptacles, wet areas, garages, etc. the
National Electrical Code requires GFCI devices be used to protect users of
those circuits. I can't recall exactly but it has been at least 20 years, I
believe, since this rule went into effect.
If there is more than a few milliamperes of current flow between either hot
or neutral and earth, then the GFCI device breaks the circuit. This is
likely what you refer to as Salva-vita.
GFCI's are a most excellent idea for us to use if we have our workshop for
working on our computers in a basement or garage (concrete floors). For
that matter, it would be a good idea to have GFCI outlets for any
electrical equipment we work on anywhere. I have them in my attic where I
have a small area to work on my small machines. And I most certainly have
them installed in my main lab in the basement.
Regards, Chris
-- --
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net
Member of Antique Wireless Association
URL:
http://www.ggw.org/awa