Tech Square

• Re: WHOA BRUCE!!!!!!! VERY IMPORTANT YOU READ THIS...CAN ANYONE CALL HIM?? - Bruce from DC 15:56:36 03/26/04 (2)
  In Reply to: WHOA BRUCE!!!!!!! VERY IMPORTANT YOU READ THIS...CAN ANYONE CALL HIM?? posted by jneutron on March 26, 2004 at 15:31:24:

  Got it, John. Will check for voltage potential to ground. I have a VOM.
  
  

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  • Still walking and talking - Bruce from DC 06:37:29 03/29/04 (1)
    In Reply to: Re: WHOA BRUCE!!!!!!! VERY IMPORTANT YOU READ THIS...CAN ANYONE CALL HIM?? posted by Bruce from DC on March 26, 2004 at 15:56:36:

    It does not appear that my radiator is electrified. Hum is gone; but I am still investigating. . .

    thanks for your concern "jneutron"
    
    

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    • If I am in error... - jneutron 07:19:44 03/29/04 (0)
      In Reply to: Still walking and talking posted by Bruce from DC on March 29, 2004 at 06:37:29:

      I am doing so, hopefully on the side of caution..

      I'm personally not so fraid of the electro-stuff...but I fear mightily for my children..It would be very difficult for me if something I casually tossed aside as no problem hurt one of them..

      As for your problem..

      I wasn't so worried about the potential voltage on the radiator, but that was a good thing to check...

      For hum to be induced, there would have to be a 60 (50) hz magnetic field present, that from a loop of AC current. Since all house wiring has the hot and neutral very close to each other, they really don't broadcast a huge magnetic field very far. So, the only thing I could think of was a larger loop, and that would mean typically a ground current, perhaps flowing through the heating system.

      One such scenario was this: your AC to the house comes in...and near the panel, a water pipe is connected to the ground of the AC mains..

      Later, a plumber (or DYI'er) installs a whole house water filter..Mine had a plastic body...

      THIS ACT in itself, is hugely dangerous...it breaks the house plumbing from hard ground...

      If something in the house suddenly has a hot to ground short, it could conceivably electrify the entire house plumbing system, or even worse, part of it...

      One of my bathrooms has the baseboard heating on one wall, the shower on the other, toilet in the middle...When sitting, I can touch both...

      So, I was more concerned that there are AC currents running around that shouldn't be there..If there are, and they are going through the plumbing (for example), then there may be very little between you and danger, some connection there by accident, or by purpose..

      Again, I think worst case here...but it could very well be possible that the grounding bond at the water pipe infeed for your house may be saving your life as we speak..

      Please try moving the wire around to find where the most sensitive spot is..

      Thanks for listening..

      John
      
      

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