[AMPS] RE:HV is unforgiving

Peter Chadwick Peter_Chadwick@mitel.com
Fri, 27 Nov 1998 15:39:22 -0000


>Contact with the electric-mains may be even more dangerous since 
>120v/240v  can cause an involuntary muscle contraction from which the 
>victim can not let go.  

The most dangerous voltages are supposedly between 400 and 1600, as they
give the greatest chance of  ventricular fibrillation. Some evidence for
this is that people who touch the 25kV overhead electric railway lines
rarely die from electrocution, but usually from burns. Mains can kill just
as easily, as Rich says. Personally, I try to avoid poking fingers in on
anything over 24 volts. However, it is very easy to forget after years of
working on solid state equipment that things bite back.

I always advise not wearing metal watchstraps or rings when working on
equipment as well.

73

Peter G3RZP

73

Peter G3RZP


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