Re: [TCML] DANGER Ground wire question (Need a straight answer)

["Dex Dexter" <dexterlabs@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Yes I was concerned about this,but
I know the local instalations conditions,
and give a good thought before doing
such grounding.I am sure about safety issue.
Nobody in my neighborhood can or will be hurt
by my coil.Cold water pipes are much bigger,better,
and safer grounding than any counterpoise in my case.

However,if you are interested THERE is a small
voltage built on  the water pipe when the
coil operates.Probably you are familiar with
voltage tester screwdrivers:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_light

10 feet away from the coil it remains dark,but when
water pipe is tested by the instrument a weak
glimmering light appears.
This means the presence of potential.
But potential without current means nothing.
The power is important and my coil is a low powered
one (power input max 120 VA).
When I touch the pipe my fingers dissipates surely
less than a miliwatt of RF power.

Dex   

--- a_key_move@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

From: "Derek Esq." <a_key_move@xxxxxxxxx>
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [TCML] DANGER Ground wire question (Need a straight answer)
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:01:03 -0800 (PST)

I'm newer to the list and not a regular poster but if I recall correctly you said you were thinking of running the coil down the side of the apartment building and concerned about the neighbor touching it. You need to think legally and practically. 
 
1) I agree with the earlier posts. If its hot or potentially hot, you shouldn't be touching it. Likewise you ought not to put the wire where some unknowning bystander could touch it. After all, would you really want some kid walking by and touching the wire and getting zapped?
 
2) If the ground is hot, you could be creating a hazard which beyond physical harm to the unknowning may buy you a lawsuit if someone gets hurt. And that law suit will cost you far more than your coil or 10 coils.
 
3) If you're creating a hazard, real or imagined, your neighbor might create problems by complaining to your landlord. Some landlord tenant laws give landlords the right to terminate leases when the tenant creates a hazard in the premises (drugs, crime, etc.) There's no reason to think that would not apply to electrical hazards.
 
4) Bottom line is you want to coil safely and not be interrupted by your neighbor's real or imagined fears of death by electrocution, your landlord interfering with you, or carrying the burden of hurting someone along the way because maybe the ground wasn't done correctly. Why take a chance? Even on the list there's not unaninmous agreement about the danger from the posts I've seen. When you have doubt, there is no doubt. Not just a cliche from Robert DeNiro but actually good avice.
 
The short answer - Is it dangerous? Yes. 
 
 
Derek
____________ 
 
 
It depends on power of the coil,frequency,and lenght of
the ground wire.Usually I connect ground wire of my small
coil to a cold water pipe.Frequency of coil is about 340 kHz
and ground wire lenght about 10 ft.
Nothing happens as I touch the pipe or the wire (as expected).
But I wouldn't take chance with 10 kw coils!

Dex  


_____________________________________________________________
Washington DC's Largest FREE Email service. ---> http://www.DCemail.com ---> A Washington Online Community Member --->
http://www.DCpages.com

_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla