[Elecraft] OT: balun rating exceeded

[Mike Markowski]

The following happened to me a few years ago as a brand new ham in my
pre-Elecraft days and I wonder if anyone can explain to me the details.  I
apparently had high swr and exceeded the rating on my balun.  It suffered
accordingly but didn't completely fail.  The result was when I transmitted cw on
40m an internal fuse would blow in the stereo which was on in the next room
room.  It took two go rounds before I caught onto the cause and effect...  A new
& better balun cured the problem.

At the time I had a Zepp (135') and 4:1 balun at the house entrance.  I assume
the ruined balun was emitting all sorts of RF that the stereo amplifier picked
up, tried to amplify, and couldn't.  But I don't understand exactly what would
make it draw that much current.  Can someone enlighten me?

By the way, since then I put up a dipole, halfwave for 160m, about 200' behind
the house.  That's what I should have begun with.

Thanks!
Mike ab3ap