[ARC5] Hallicrafters S-38 is dangerous

[Bill Cromwell]

Hi,

We can't dismiss the danger of AC-DC sets. But..

Those leaky caps impose an impedance/resistance that includes the 
leakage, our body/skin resistance, the ground resistance and varies from 
none (in  few cases) to virtually open (in a few cases) The rest will be 
somewhere in between - or maybe not leaky at all. Over the years I have 
been tickled by a few of the AC-DC sets. At no load (or virtual no load) 
a VTVM will read full power-line voltage. Put the slightest load on a 
high resistance/impedance 'leak' and the voltage plunges - limiting the 
current. One of my brothers was playing with an AC-DC set (as a young 
adult) and he did get directly accross the power line from his hand to 
his feet which were grounded on a heat register in the floor. He was 
unable to let go until the fuse finally blew. He got really lucky that 
day. We have paid careful attention since then but we do still play with 
the toys - just more careful and aware.

When working on *ANY* live electrical gear put one hand in your pocket 
and make sure your feet or any other body parts are *NOT* grounded. If 
you are not familiar with that then just keep out!

73,

Bill  KU8H