Ok guys (and girls), it’s time for some sage advice on things electrical. Back when I was in college (Yes, we had electricity back then) I was in my first and only electrical course required for us Mechanical Engineers. Our professor opened the class by teaching us everything a good Mechanical Engineer would ever have to know about electricity. It goes like this:

“Everything electrical runs on smoke. If you let the smoke out, it won’t work anymore.”

Having tried and proven this theory out many times in my life since them, I thought I’d pass it on to all of you. Good luck and keep your heads down.

 

We generally refer to that as "Electing the Pope" around here.

As in:

"I could use a little help out here."
"What's wrong?"
"When we replaced the #3 pack we elected the Pope."

 

another rule I've learned over time is to go to the bathroom before you start jacking with high voltage...that way if you screw up and get shocked,nobodys any the wiser.

 

depends on the voltage... anything high enough to make you whiz your pants would leave obvious white burns marks on your hands...

110 & 220 will make you swear

347 will make you swear to God that if he allows you to let go of the wire that your stuck on...

600.... well not a lot of talking...

anything higher.... won't matter. People dont disrespect dead people with pee spots on the trousers

 

In the states, still have the standard 110 and 220, not problem there as long as you are not in line with a large 220 load when you take it ( read: don't try to run your 200 amp welder, using your arm as one of the circuits to the welder's transformer when it trys to reach saturation in the duty cycle ).

208 3 phase, not bad as long as it is not the high leg under load, would not suggest it as a daily routine.

277 ( derived from 3 Phase ) still not bad, smarts like hell, and cauterizes the hole it blew in your hand, nothng like the smell of burning skin & flesh.

480 V, you are correct, no ones says a word about the pee spots, or the crap stain in your pants.

The killer of all times here in the states, good old "window maker" delta-Y 3 phase. You are explaining to St. Peter that you thought that was ground or neutral when you grabbed it, and asking him if that vein that was in the side of your head can be fixed for an open casket viewing.

 

Yes, and I see we all follow the rule that states one should disconnect the power before working on something - unless of course that would take time and since we're all professionals ...

It's a good thing we have lots of dumb friends who have made these silly mistakes so we can write about them isn't it?

 

I am with 2stoke on that one! Best thing to be concerned about is not so much the damage and pain which voltage can inflict but rather hor to avoid that pain and damage in the first place. No shock is the best. Unless of course you like stickin your tongue on a 9v battery cause you like the way it tastes. I guess some just love to taste a little power now and again.