As an aside, a lot of equipment uses electronic transformers and the "floating" outputs are at 'half line voltage' as if fed from a full wave bridge rectifier and capacitivly coupled across the transformer winding. It fully meets to safety specifications but is a noticeable nip by hand and an intolerable one on the lips. Any unexpected light contact will cause a jump. I now connect powered USB etc devices first and plug in the power lead second. I have caused a reboot of the PC connecting the other way round risking lost data and a failed USB card/device. Despite that it is all supposedly fully compliant. That is not, of course, to detract from Don's safety warning; we have 240V phase to neutral. 440V phase to phase is not available in domestic premises. Regards 73 Alan >Subject: Elecraft Digest, Vol 88, Issue 17 >________________________________ >From: Don Wilhelm <[email protected]> >To: David Dietrich <[email protected]> >Cc: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> >Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 2:30 PM >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (Slightly O/T) Intermittent nips when soldering > >David, > >I would take an AC voltmeter to that iron (right after you turn it on so it is >not yet hot).? Measure between the iron tip and the AC safety ground wire >(round hole in the receptacle).? If you measure *any* AC voltage at all, >replace or repair that iron for your own safety's sake. > >If you are unsure of whether the AC receptacle's "green wire safety ground" is >actually in-place and working, use one of the inexpensive electrical >receptacle testers at the receptacle - if you do not have one, they are >available at hardware and DIY stores. > >If the AC safety ground is not intact and you have your ESD mat and wrist >strap connected to that ground, you may indeed have an ESD zap, particularly >if your work area is carpeted or the humidity is reduced due to AC. > >IMHO, that is something that must be investigated immediately before it gets >any worse and you end up with a good electrical shock - that could be fatal. > >73, >Don W3FPR > >On 8/10/2011 3:15 PM, David Dietrich wrote: >> Hi Dale, >> >> I find it hard to believe it is ESD because my soldering station is grounded >> and ESD safe.? I wear a strap whenever I need to.? I work in my ham shack >> that is my unfinished basement where the temp and humidity stay pretty >> constant year round.? I wear clothes made mostly of cotton.? My only guess >> is that a wire in the cord from the main unit to the pencil is shorting or >> something, however my soldering station has never been abused or mistreated >> in any way.? Also, one would hope that the actual wired in the cord are >> insulated from each other.? This has only started to happen over the last >> week or so.
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