Just a quick line or two.
(A short intro to, "More than you really wanted to read.")
In most areas of the U.S.A. we have 120/240vac. The National Electrical Code
requires the Grounded Conductor (the ground wire - usually green or bare
copper) to be connected to a buried ground rod and to metallic piping of the
water line (usually at the hot water heater) and to the service entrance of
the natural gas line (where the line enters the house).
Don't even ask about all the variables that can be found, there are
zillions.
The Grounding Conductor (Neutral-usually white insulation) is connected to
the Grounded Conductor in the distribution panel.
Now when I'm working on a PC and need to doodle in the guts of it I almost
always shut it down, pull all the power connections (monitor, accessories
then the PC) and lastly place my hand on the metallic PC case while I touch
a cover plate screw of a known-grounded switch or receptacle. That pretty
much puts all of the parts and me at the same potential.
This system hasn't failed me yet as I have never damaged a PC with static
electrical discharges or had a spark while twisting a screwdriver in the
unit. I usually repeat the hand-case-switch whenever I have to walk across
the carpet. If you can get an arc after walking across the floor you better
watch out with electronic components. (Doh.)
I've wired a few houses and they haven't burned down yet, so the system
works. I do not like working circuits hot but have when it is a lot easier
than shutting off a lot of equipment on the same lines.
Bruce
BSEE '71
> -----Original Message-----
> That may not be true. In the US mostly all households are electrically
> grounded with 3 prong 120v outlets with the neutral wire connected to
metal water pipe.
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