Why has DIYNOT got a electrics forum?

[slippyr4]

Wnot degree level electricity

It's GCSE level, not degree level.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It's not degree level electricity.

It's O level/GCSE physics at best....

 

[slippyr4]

Having re-read some of the earlier posts on this thread, I think that the later arguments about ohms law have missed the point.

Seriously, reducing the voltage to 115V would not make things safer, as it would increase the current being drawn on a given circuit, and until you get to a certain point, it is CURRENT that kills, not voltage.

 

[pickles]

It's not degree level electricity.

It's O level/GCSE physics at best....

it's old wimin arguing is what it is

 

[Softus]

What the f$%K u all going on about in here. This is supposed to be general chat, not degree level electricity with added abuse go and have a lie down for gods sake

What kind of degree did you take pickles, if you think that i=V/R is so difficult?

 

[Softus]

it's old wimin arguing is what it is

...which, presumably, is why you've joined in.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Having re-read some of the earlier posts on this thread, I think that the later arguments about ohms law have missed the point.

Seriously, reducing the voltage to 115V would not make things safer, as it would increase the current being drawn on a given circuit, and until you get to a certain point, it is CURRENT that kills, not voltage.

He's right about it being current that kills. Anybody who has ever experienced a static discharge can testify that you can receive a shock of thousands of volts and not be harmed, if the source cannot supply any current worth talking about.

Subject to ohm's law, any voltage high enough to generate a lethal current can kill you.

Not sure though what relevance the normal current in the circuit has to how much flows through the body of someone receiving a shock though.

 

[slippyr4]

He's right about it being current that kills.

yeah, but you know what i meant. a lower supply voltage reduces the current that flows through the person, thus the lower voltage is safer, not more dangerous.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

115 is still just as likely to kill.

50V is good, the average person, dry, wearing shoes, can withstand 50V, hence 55-0-55 site supplies and the 50V in the calculations in the regs for RCD specs etc.

 

[Softus]

115 is still just as likely to kill.

Is it "just as likely" as 240V?

 

[Big_Spark]

115 is still just as likely to kill.

50V is good, the average person, dry, wearing shoes, can withstand 50V, hence 55-0-55 site supplies and the 50V in the calculations in the regs for RCD specs etc.

Thanks for that Ban..saved me saying it..and you said it a bit better than I had earlier..clearly I think is the term. Where the lower voltage is dangerous over the higher voltage is the increased FIRE hazard the higher currents present. The lower voltage results in higher currents as we all agree, however the size of conductor become even more critical then, as does the voracity of joints. Even the slightest error will produce serious heat, and in the right environment the chances of fire increase dramatically.

Personally I think the European and certain Asian countries choice of 230V is about right when all factoirs are taken account of.


Regarding the question over the use of the word INDUCE...without sounding condescending, I don't mean to be, I would suggest that perhaps you guys look the word up in a dictionary. Whilst I accept it is not technically correct, it is certain gramatically correct within English.

Induce has many meanings depending on how it is used, as many words in English are...how else would you describe the current created by the resistance of the circuit...??

To say it induces it is not the same as INDUCTANCE..if you see my point...

 

[Big_Spark]

Big-spark, is it your view or intention that diy electrical work should be outlawed?

Yes, unless people wishing to underatke it have successfully completed some form of short course in College so they are aware of the dangers and the legal requirements imposed upon them.


One of BAS quotes of mine from an earlier post still stands, the industry needs to clean it's own house before such action can even be officially speculated. However BAS stated it was a "chip on my shoulder"...that is a harsh exageration..but it is certainly a "pet hate" that the industry has no way of stopping dodgy electricians and engineers from operating..I would like a register, like Doctors etc have, so that if someone does consistantly dangerous or poor quality work (by nationally agreed standards) then sanctions can be taken against them. The public are encouraged to undertake DIY work due to the unprofessional behavior, workmanship and general attitude of a number within the industry.

Lets be honest, generally the public have this idea that Electricians are overpiad and underworked..both staements may have been true once, but not now..especially the overpiad bit..

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Big-spark, is it your view or intention that diy electrical work should be outlawed?

Yes, unless people wishing to underatke it have successfully completed some form of short course in College so they are aware of the dangers and the legal requirements imposed upon them.

Like the EAL / EMTA Level 2 Certificate For Domestic Electrical Installers for example?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

115 is still just as likely to kill.

Is it "just as likely" as 240V?

Well - I guess overall it must be less likely, because of our good friend I=V/R, and there may be instances, e.g. people with particularly horny hands, where their R would be high enough for I to drop below the lethal limit.

But for most people in most conditions I'd say that 115V was no less lethal than 230V.

 

[Softus]

I wonder why men generally have hornier hands than women....