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"The whole concept of grounding issues virtually (pun intended) disappear with isolation transformers (picking up a big one cheap is easy)"
Where? How do you define "cheap?"
As a former amateur radio operator, and tinkerer in electronics to this day, I stumble across them fairly often. I usually get mine for free, but did at one point bought a 2KW isolation/constant voltage xformer for $100 because I was after the CV aspect of it. Industrial supply surplus stores have much bigger transformers... Not sure how thrilled electricians and inspectors will be about it to have them in your house as I do, but in all the large medical equipment we designed, leakage current was critical, and I can't think of a much safer and easier way to do it...
What is your intended application?
I digress, but making pseudo-3-phase is a little tougher, with an idler motor and all, but sure beats the cost of running in true 3-phase from the street.
Was toying with the idea for outside power tools - electric trimmers, etc. - as an alternative to GFIs, also as a method of cleaning generator output. Tinkering stuff.
Was toying with the idea for outside power tools - electric trimmers, etc. - as an alternative to GFIs, also as a method of cleaning generator output. Tinkering stuff.
Aren't electric trimmers usually double-insulated so no ground needed?
They are, but when a neighborhood kid is allowed to do a little trimming and cuts the extension cord wires, then secretly re-splices them incorrectly, anything goes...
However, eighty to a hundred bucks isn't in my budget right now, and that kid moved, so it isn't a pressing issue.
They are, but when a neighborhood kid is allowed to do a little trimming and cuts the extension cord wires, then secretly re-splices them incorrectly, anything goes...
However, eighty to a hundred bucks isn't in my budget right now, and that kid moved, so it isn't a pressing issue.
Clearly the understanding of double insulated eludes you. Maybe it is that whole welfare state thing?
MrWillys, would you care to go for a straight ad hom attack? That way you can look completely foolish all in one shot all on your own, without my assistance. I am aware that many motors are supposedly double insulated. I'm also aware that in addition to that, many outdoor tools ALSO have something called a ground.
Now, would you care to re-read "but when a neighborhood kid is allowed to do a little trimming and cuts the extension cord wires, then secretly re-splices them incorrectly" and tell me what the possibilities are? Bottom line, he was complaining about being "bit". I had to cut out his splices and show him how to do a proper splice and NOT mix up the color coding or have leakage. Kids are that uneducated these days. Apparently others are as well.
Not sure what you are talking about welfare state? Was that supposed to be a slur? Even if I took (which, aside from three weeks of unemployment in the 1970s, I never have) welfare or govt aid - like the businesses around here who get a free ride on property tax, or GM, or the countless Wall Street thieves, I would find that more a reflection of YOUR attitudes than anything important.
No, mystery as in there is a wire (solid, red insulation) coming into the outlet boxes, outside of the bundle from the panel, and is hooked up to the box/outlet as a ground.
Exactly. ^^^
Potentially having multiple grounds is not a good idea.
I use a Triplett Fox & Hound to trace wiring; can map out virtually the entire house without opening
a wall.
(Especially in the older houses, where someone along the line of ownership 'thought' he was a good do-it-yourselfer, demonstrated some amazingly creative, code-violating and potentially dangerous 'fixes' or 'improvements')
Personally, I am a fan of large isolation transformers, which obviate most grounding issues, but I digress.
The Fox and Hound are worth their weight in gold sometimes. Very nice suggestion. I have found some "interesting" DIY fixes that would have been missed without it, or tearing the wallboard down. (a toned wire doesn't just split into 3 different directions in the middle of a blank wall without some creative splicing done in the past.)
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