[Elecraft] (Slightly O/T) Intermittent nips when soldering

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

You might get off cheap, David. Many outlets have the safety ground screw
only a fraction of an inch from the hot lead to the outlet. The safety
ground is bare copper wire. If it was loose on that screw it only had to
move a fraction of an inch - such as might be done by wiggling the outlet
slightly inserting/removing a plug to make it touch the hot lead and make
some rather unnerving sparks! 

I certainly second Don's suggestion. Check all the outlets in the house. 

73,

Ron AC7AC

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Hi Don,

Well, it is the outlet.  I just heard a pop and some pyrotechnics from my
outlet!!!!  I bought the AC line tester at Wal-Mart.  I first plugged it in
at my power strip on the desk.  It showed a n open ground.  I then tested it
at the outlet at the surge protector.  OK.  I then removed the surge
protector, and plugged the tester into the main outlet, and that is when I
had the pop and pyrotechnics.  Thank God I was wearing shoes and only
touching the tester, and the circuit breaker tripped!!

As for my workbench, it is made of MDF board.  I hope I did not kill any
components from this issue.  However, I was able to power up things for the
initial power on tests.

I am ceasing all work down there until I can get an electrician to check the
outlet and wiring.  This house is only 22 years old, so it should be up to
code.  We had it inspected when we bought it, and the inspector found no
problems with the electrical.  We know the builders cut corners when they
built this place.  I hope they didn't cut any with the electrical.

Thanks & 73,

David
KC9EHQ