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Re: [Amps] 220V service for amplifier

To: amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] 220V service for amplifier
From: "Ian White, G3SEK" <G3SEK@ifwtech.co.uk>
Reply-to: "Ian White, G3SEK" <g3sek@ifwtech.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 08:00:11 +0000
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
R. Measures wrote:
If you tie it to the neutral, there is a possibility of a voltage
differentail between the amp chassis and the earth ground which can create a
dangerous situation.

** But only if the neutral wire is severed while the radio operator is standing in water without wearing his fishin' boots.


Getting a shock is much easier than that.


In many amateur stations, we are also bringing *other* good earth grounds into the shack via the antenna cables. If the chassis is not already connected to ground, there's a very high risk of picking up a plug and bridging the potential difference between your two hands. The voltage probably isn't very high, but the current passes right through your chest...

The other scenario where a low-voltage shock can easily kill you involves touching a cable coming out of the shack that isn't properly grounded... when you happen to be at the top of a grounded metal ladder.

If you think these won't happen to you... well, they've *both* happened to me. I was lucky each time, and the shock was only a low-level "tingle" - but I reckon my luck is all used up now, so I take precautions instead.


-- 73 from Ian G3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB) Editor, 'The VHF/UHF DX Book' http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek _______________________________________________ Amps mailing list Amps@contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps

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