[ARC5] Safety First!

[richard.arland at verizon.net]

I'd like to second Dave's concerns. 

A few weeks ago I was demonstrating how to set the bias voltage on a Hallicrafters HT-44. My third finger on my right hand slipped off the test probe and contacted one of the exposed test points on the power supply chassis. This resulted in a very nice little burn from about 600VDC. The skin burned nicely, giving off that telltale stench that only burning skin can produce. The little hole in my finger was exhibit #1 as the class gathered around the teacher to have a little lecture on test bench safety. 

Had I been really careless that 600VDC could have gone directly through my heart. I could have been killed. Like Dave, I work on 12V gear for the majority of my time. Although I grew up and cut my teeth on vacuum tube gear, I tend to get complacent from time to time. This time I had an entire class on hand to wittness "The Old Baldheaded Fart" get zapped! 

BE CAREFUL and WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING. USE CAUTION WHEN WORKING WITH ANY ELECTRONIC GEAR ESPECIALLY VACUUM TUBE EQUIPMENT. 

vy 73

Rich K7SZ


>From: David Stinson <arc5 at ix.netcom.com>

>I work on solid state stuff all day long.
>12-48 volts leads to complacency.
>Lack of rest can also cost you.
>
>NEVER work on boatanchor radios
>when you're tired or distracted!
>It's so easy to get in the habit of just
>grabbing stuff when it's only got 12 volts on it.
>Like checking to see if that resistor is getting hot.
>500 volts HURTS. BAD.
>
>Damn lucky to still be breathing.
>I got away with a burn, bruises from
>falling over and a knot on my head.
>Pure, God-given dumb luck.
>
>Don't be stupid like me.
>
>Stop.  Think.  Go SLOW.
>      Stay Alive.
>
>Dave S.