Re: Protection from NST zap

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Protection from NST zap
From: "Malcolm Watts" <MALCOLM-at-directorate.wnp.ac.nz> (by way of Terry Fritz <terryf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 17:10:49 -0600
Approved: terryf-at-verinet-dot-com

Hi Chris,
           I would say that wearing rubber gloves is more hazardous 
than not because it may lull you into a false sense of security. They 
might not be sufficient to withstand the potentials you are dealing 
with and there is always the chance of a hole in them. ALWAYS unplug 
the power, carefully short any capacitors, then adjust.

    I'm not sure I like this plug in the pocket scheme. Supposing 
some residual potential existed somewhere in the system (cap for e.g.)
that was hot wrt the plug pin/s? I drop my plugs on the ground and 
can always see (a lack of) cables reaching for the wall socket. 

    In situations where I might wish to adjust something with power 
applied (happens in servicing appliances) one hand is always clear of 
anything else and usually in a pocket.

Malcolm

> Original Poster: AuroraOne-at-webtv-dot-net 
> 
> I know we have probably dwelled on this subject for too long already.
> But I am beginning to get a little spooked by what I have been reading
> in the list about the horror stories involving electric shock.  Here's
> the deal.  I haven't quite gotten to the point of building my own Tesla
> Coil yet, but I am working on another high voltage project in which I
> will probably need to use an NST.  (I may have mentioned this project to
> a couple of people on the list already.)  In any case, I am a very
> curious person and I am fascinated by the phenomena I have already seen
> so far.  But as a lot of you probably know, I am very concerned about
> safety.  So, since I am a beginner, and I am bound to make a stupid
> mistake eventually, I have one specific question about NSTs.  Would
> wearing rubber gloves provide any protection if I do happen to
> mistakenly (and very carelessly) make contact with the ouput terminals?
> Also, if there are any other safey precautions anyone can suggest to me
> about working with NSTs, I would really appreciate all of them.  After I
> have gained experience and a sense of intuition about the behavior of
> electricity, I may remove my suit of armor.  But until then, I'll just
> have to be on the side of (paranoia?)
> A very much less confident experimenter 
> Chris T.
> 
> <<<< Chip's site at: www.pupman-dot-com  has a detailed safety sheet that was
> compiled by many on this list - Terry >>>>
> 
> 
>