Re: LX200: GFCI
| Subject: | Re: LX200: GFCI |
| From: | Email address hidden |
| Date: | Wed Apr 24 05:05:43 1996 |
> Assuming theres no ground loop (rubber tires and all), am I right in
>guessing that similar protection is not necessary for an extension cord
>plugged into an inverter in a car?
>
>Jim Burrows
>:Gt#47*28:20
>:Gg#122*21:58
If there is no possibility of a path from the inverter to earth ground, there
can be no conduction between the telescope and you standing on earth ground.
Furthermore, to use a GFCI on the inverter, it would have to be grounded to
earth ground.
It seems to me that there actually is a possibility of a path, if one side of
the inverter output were to become connected to earth ground due to a fault
in the scope. In that case, if you were to come into contact with the other
side of the line and were standing on conductive ground, you might get a
shock.
An example might be that the extension cord was running through wet grass and
one side of the line got wet and became somewhat conductive to ground. If a
fault in the scope power supply were to connect the other side of the line to
the scope case, you could get a jolt from touching the scope.
Far fetched? Maybe. Two suggestions.....
First, ground the scope (tripod) if you can. In that case, it would be very
difficult to get a shock.
Second, if you are at all unsure, gently run the BACK of your hand or fingers
across an un-painted part of the scope. If you feel a gentle buzz as you
move, there is AC voltage present in quantities sufficient to possibly hurt
you. Remember to do this with the back of your hand to avoid the possibility
of involuntarily clenching your hand around an energized tripod leg!
Paul Goelz
Evanston, IL
