Being Electrocuted

[Vapor]

Has anyone (else) noticed that some people can take an electric shock whilst others just die? Serious question, after an incident got me thinking: on a building site, some old cables were unearthed that I was about to test for live when a Polish labourer brushed his back hand against the potentially live cable to test it. He reckoned that whilst he had seen someone electrocuted, he himself had had a few near misses and never been much affected. It can't just be boots? I am a multi-trader and I have been shocked 3 times and I have to admit I was surprised to have been so insignificantly affected.

Another time, I came under the aim of a laser 2020 speed gun, on a motorbike, which tickled my back so incessantly that I accelerated off and had to argue a speeding ticket.

 

[ipf]

Electric chair seemed to work for the yanks.

 

[Guitarist]

All depends on the path it takes through your body. I bet most of us have had shocks at some point from arm through leg to earth. When it travels hand to hand, then you're in trouble...

 

[truckster]

It all depends on the current path, your state of health, the weather etc. He brushed the back of his hand against it so if he did recieve a shock his hand wouldn't close around it in spasm. Not exactly recommended practice!

 

[MarkieSparkie]

When I was an apprentice, my electrician mentor was an old hand in the trade, he had a unique and rapid method of checking for blown fuses in industrial panels. He ran his thumb and index finger down each side of the open terminals, locating a blown fuse when he got a 'belt'. He never got a serious shock and retired in rude health, however I would not recommend the method to others for obvious reasons and have never be tempted to try it myself.

 

[truckster]

Aah the old boys and their tricks. My old man was a plumber and used to 'test' his gas pipework by running a lighter along it!! I always made an excuse to go to the van when he started!!

 

[cogsey133]

Not exactly recommended practice!

As an apprentice i got taught to test using this method...just in case you forget your test gear son was the reason given. Bit older and wiser now and agreed not a recommended practice

 

[Knobhead]

A colleague was killed by 110V, I walked away from 10,000V.

Every situation is different.

 

[fulla]

i got whacked sitting on a kitchen sink trust me it hurt like hell

 

[Knobhead]

Great Balls of Fire!

 

[Top Cat]

I was going to post a thread about the worst shock you have ever had but never did it.

My worst shock was about 20 years ago. C/U in basement that was flooded with a foot of water. Old Wylex board, took the cover off put test lamp on L - N incomer, no light. Thought to myself i will just take off the plastic covers on L -N incomer. 1st time the lecky actually grabbed me and i could not let go! Because i had had so many shocks i could still think so i sat in the water and used my legs to push myself away! It felt like minuets but probably about 10 seconds i was getting an electric shock from one hand to another across my chest! Basically the terminals were loose in L - N terminals so did not light up test lamp! I didn't like it but maybe a lot of people would have died from the same situation.

But hey i'm a cat so another life gone!

 

[Knobhead]

By my reckoning 3 or 4 left.

Where were you hoping to be working next week?
No where dodgy….HeHeHe…..

 

[Strima]

Shocks are when you discover the underlying heart condition.

 

[Top Cat]

By my reckoning 3 or 4 left.

Where were you hoping to be working next week?
No where dodgy….HeHeHe…..

Hey i just gave you a like! If i can find where it is i will "unlike it" now!

 

[Knobhead]

Come on you know me by now.

Bit of catnip, would that calm you down?

 

[Top Cat]

Come on you know me by now.

Bit of catnip, would that calm you down?

That's true where are you going to rub it!:hurray:

 

[ian.goddard57]

Shocks scare the hell out of me. Stripped out a bathroom on a plumbing job about a year ago. after removing tiles I ran my open palm across the wall to check how good the plaster was. I got a wack. Turned the consumer unit off and on closer inspection someone had some grey tape over live bare wires. I couldn't believe it. Wont do that again.

 

[ExArmy]

british army still teach back of the hand test as standard, i still do it all the time before i touch any bare copper if theres any doubt as to wether or not it's live (even though i have just proved it dead) as you can't always trust bloody machines!

 

[DaveyLe_Spark]

Worst belt i've had to date was off my sister in laws cooker. End of a long hard and hot day in a loft i still had the element to replace. Having replaced it i flicked everything on with all the covers off to check it. All warming up i switched the cooker off...........on the cooker itself leaving the isolator on. D'OH! Upon screwing on the back plate the back of my hand touched the terminals and WHACK!! It was quite funny, they were all sitting down eating dinner, jumped out of their seats. I put the cooker back together and went to put the RCD back in but low and behold it was the MCB which tripped, saving me from boiling myself. So much for RCD protection eh!

 

[Strima]

british army still teach back of the hand test as standard, i still do it all the time before i touch any bare copper if theres any doubt as to wether or not it's live (even though i have just proved it dead) as you can't always trust bloody machines!

I used to teach that when checking for overheating vehicle components. What nugget is teaching that with electrics?