John Rodgers on thu 1 may 03
Since this subject it seems much on everyones minds for the moment, I
wanted to make this comment.
While higher voltage and higher amps .... like 240 V and 40 amps and
above ..... can kill instantly.
SO CAN 120V and 15 AMPS!!!!! Typical wall plug voltage and amperage for
lite appliances and lighting lamps in the home.
So when it comes to working with electrical things, give electricity BIG
respect. You will live longer!!
John Rodgers
Birmingham, AL
Jim Murphy on fri 2 may 03
In a previous corporate-world life, I was an Electrical Engineer for a major
product safety testing company.
It doesn't take much voltage and/or current to do much damage. Many
Standards for Safety define risk of electrical shock in terms of only 30 Vac
(Vrms, 42.4 V-peak) and a current level of only 5 mA (yes milliamps !).
Below the 5 mA current thresh-hold, you may still be able to "let-go" of the
live electrical source without too much tissue damage if you're lucky.
Beginning around 5 mA, your heart muscle may go into "fibrillation" or
uncontrolled twitching of the heart muscle fibers. Because of this
uncontrolled twitching, you may not be able to voluntarily "let-go" of the
live electrical part(s). You may not be able to be revived even if a nearby
friend is able to immediately break your arm(s) free from the live part with
a 2x4.
Higher electrical voltage and current levels flowing through your body may
certainly lead to permanent tissue damage and/or fatality. Your electric
kiln is probably wired to a 120, 208, or 240 Vac voltage source with current
(amp) capacity somewhere between 20 and 200 Amps. So, alot more than 5 mA is
"available" to flow through your body.
There's also what's referred to as risk of high current-electrical energy.
That's where it only takes an Amp or two of current at 240Vac or 120 Vac to
cause severe tissue burns. This may happen if one were to bridge a
ringed-finger between 2 live parts or between a live part and a deadmetal
part.
Electricity helps us to make great works of clay, but play it safe. Better
safe than sorry.
Best wishes,
Jim Murphy
Kathi LeSueur on sat 3 may 03
nomocor@ATTBI.COM wrote:
>In a previous corporate-world life, I was an Electrical Engineer for a major
>product safety testing company.
>
>
>There's also what's referred to as risk of high current-electrical energy.
>That's where it only takes an Amp or two of current at 240Vac or 120 Vac to
>cause severe tissue burns. This may happen if one were to bridge a
>ringed-finger between 2 live parts or between a live part and a deadmetal
>part.>>>
>
I learned just how dangerous electricity can be while living in Texas. A
friend was bringing a sailboat in to the dock at South Padre Island.
Electricity arced from a high voltage line, traveled down the mast, and
kiln both he and a companion. Witnesses at the site said nothing on the
boat contacted the line. Having the plug out or a main breaker shut off
is essential when working on a kiln or any other appliance. I think we
are often too casual with dangerous equipment.
Kathi
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